Trauma nurses specialize in emergency care, identifying serious problems and stabilizing patients. They work in emergency rooms, intensive care units, transport companies, and battlefield medical care. The job requires the ability to work under pressure, coordinate with healthcare professionals, and deal with emotionally stressful situations. Candidates obtain nursing qualifications and pursue additional certification in trauma or emergency care. The job outlook is good, but it can be physically and emotionally demanding.
A trauma nurse is a medical professional who specializes in emergency care. This type of nursing focuses on identifying serious problems in incoming trauma cases and stabilizing those patients so they can receive further medical care. There are a number of arenas that a trauma nurse can work in and the job outlook in this field is generally very good, as these nurses are in constant demand around the world.
One of the most common places a trauma nurse works is in an emergency room, processing incoming patients. Nurses may also work in intensive care units, applying their specialized training to patients who may be subject to medical emergencies and various crises. They may also work for a transport company, keeping patients stable as they are transferred by helicopter or bus to a new medical facility, and these nurses are also vital in battlefield medical care.
The key requirement for people in this field is the ability to work under pressure. They may be needed to cope with chaotic environments, stressful situations, and catastrophic trauma cases. These nurses often have to contend with cultural and language barriers and must be able to coordinate with physicians, other nurses and healthcare professionals who work together as a team to deliver patient care. Trauma care can also have long, unpredictable hours and tend to place great strain on the body, with lots of prolonged standing, heavy lifting, and other sources of physical stress.
To work in this job, candidates usually obtain their nursing qualifications and seek to focus on emergency care in their nursing education. Some pursue additional certification in trauma or emergency care so they will be more employable upon graduation from nursing school. Many like to continue their education with trade magazines, periodic workshops and memberships in professional organizations.
Work in this field can be very emotionally stressful. A trauma nurse may need to deal with very seriously injured patients along with their family members, and the ability to assess patients and injuries is critical. For example, when a patient arrives with a badly broken leg after a car accident, the most immediate concern may be the patient’s airway, even if the leg looks awful. A good nurse can overlook the superficial appearance of the patient and focus on keeping vital signs strong and stable so that a physician is able to provide the additional care needed.
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