Trauma Room (OR)

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Float Pool, MICU, CTICU.

I would like to eventually work in the Trauma Room of the OR when they roll on in someday. (In addition to working/rotating in all the other different types of cases). This would be a long-term goal for me being that I need to get through orientation first. Even after that, it'll take a good 1-2 years before I really start feeling comfortable on my own. I already have my ACLS from my previous job. Initially I was told that I would need to get my TNCC, but recently was told that is not the case. Nonetheless, I don't mind paying for the TNCC out-of-pocket. I think it will complement my ACLS even if it is for personal fulfillment.

For those of you that have worked in the Trauma OR Room, how was your experience? How many years of experience do you have? What did you do to prepared? Did they pair you up with someone for X amount of time before you are on your own? Just curious to get an insiders point-of-view.

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I work night shift in the OR of a Level 2 Trauma Center and I absolutely love it! I prefer chest or belly trauma over ortho or neuro trauma, but I love it all nonetheless. I worked in the OR 7 1/2 months before I started doing trauma. Prior to that I had done one big belly trauma in orientation, on the day shift, with a hundred people available to assist...totally different at night when you have your trauma surgeon, 1 Anesthesiologist, and a limited supply of nurses and scrubs who may be doing other cases.

My first week of trauma was my first week on nights...I was pretty sure they were trying to kill me. The trauma pager went off more in those 5 nights than it had in the previous month combined. Being Level 2, the majority of our trauma cases are ortho and those are prioritized differently, so only 1 was a chest/belly case that required immediate OR. It was trial by fire, but I survived and so did the patient. Now, 15 months later, that's where I'd rather be!

Prior to going into the OR, I had my ACLS and obtained my PALS soon after. 6 months into doing trauma I obtained my TNCC. It was a great course and I learned a great deal and am glad I did it, but I don't believe it's necessary for an RN to be able do trauma surgery. The majority of TNCC is prehospital and ER assessments and prioritization. I'm fact, there are only a handful of us in the OR that have our TNCC.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Float Pool, MICU, CTICU.

Thanks for the info!!! I'm still leaning towards taking it, but we'll see!

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You're welcome! I say go for it. I very much enjoyed the class and felt like I learned a lot, I just wish I got to use it more. I believe it will definitely help me down the like, as my ultimate career goal is to fly. Plus it's good for 7 years; anything could happen then in which the certification would make you more of an asset.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Float Pool, MICU, CTICU.

I'm gonna ask the people who normally work traumas their opinions too! Wow, 7 years?! That's awesome. I was thinking just like the ACLS, I would have to renew q2 years.

You're thinking about flight nursing?! I had that as one of my options in nursing! I kinda feel like I should of gone to ER for a good foundation. I just want to do it all in nursing lol. I like the OR thus far, but I'm thinking for the future (years from now) I might switch to 3 12hr shifts or go part-time so I can pursue trauma, flight, or SICU PRN or part-time too.

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I always thought I would want a little experience in every type of nursing, but I found that I'm an adrenaline junkie, so I need fast-paced, always on your toes nursing. Which is exactly why I love trauma surgery! In order to be able to fly, you have to have 2 years of ER or ICU experience, so within the next year or two I'll go to the ER. At my facility, the ER & OR staff working very closely, especially during traumas, so I've already started getting some experience, I just need to build on it.

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I was hired as a new grad in the OR. No certifications. Except CPR. Once orientation is over. (Sometimes up to 6 months) you start taking call which includes trauma. My suggestion is if you want trauma. Shoot for a job at a level one trauma hospital. Don't pay anything out of pocket for training. They will train you. I became trauma certified while working there. Good luck.

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Sorry forgot to answer other questions I was a Surg tech before coming to the OR. Orientation was 6 months but I was taken off way before that and put on call. They know when you are ready you are paired with someone while on orientation and do both roles. Circulator and scrub nurse to Learn instruments etc. U usually get put with a certain dr that you get along with. I did a lot of general. Plastics. Orthopedics. Transplant. Trauma. They put you where you do well and the surgeon likes you. I absolutely loved it and did it for 3 years and I miss it terribly. I could go back but a bad back injury prevents that :(

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Float Pool, MICU, CTICU.

Thanks for the advice! I'm already at a level one trauma hospital. I hope that's true for me about not paying for the TNCC. If not, I don't mind out of pocket as I would like to work the trauma bay someday in the future.

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So if you want to do trauma bay go for the ER not the OR.

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