Nursing, Nursing RN, Exam Prep
The Ins and Outs of Being a TCRN®
Jan 29, 2019
Thinking about the next step in your career? The nursing profession is a robust field, with certifications running the gamut of clinical, managerial, and educational specialties. But which is the best choice for you? Here, we’ll take a deep dive into what it means to be a Trauma Certified Registered Nurse.
What Does a TCRN® Do? What's it Like Being a TCRN?
Also known by its acronym, TCRN®, a Trauma Certified Registered Nurse works with patients who have serious or potentially life-threatening injuries or illnesses. A TCRN® often sees patients who have suffered abuse, car and motorcycle accidents, burns, acts of violence such as assault or gunshot wounds, and head injuries. They also care for patients who may have had a heart attack or stroke. A TCRN® can work anywhere in a hospital, including the emergency room (ER), intensive care unit, trauma step-down unit, and trauma medical/surgical unit.
A TCRN®’s main focus is to stabilize patients. Being a TCRN means that you'll provide wound care, administer CPR and IV fluids, and do whatever needs to be done to help save a patient’s life. Basic and advanced life-support certifications are also needed to be a TCRN®. Being a TCRN means that you may care for multiple patients and they need to prioritize care based on the seriousness of the patients’ conditions. Meticulous documentation is especially critical in this role, as it may be needed in the future for any cases that involve law enforcement.
Trauma nurses must remain cool under pressure. They are often the first person a patient will see in the ER when patients arrive. Staying level-headed in a chaotic environment is one of the most important traits a TCRN® can have. There’s a lot of responsibility that comes with the job, and there is often not a lot of time for decision making.
How Do I Become a TCRN®?
To become a TCRN® you must hold an active RN license, after which you’ll need to pass the TCRN® exam offered by the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing (BCEN). This certification needs to be renewed every four years! Read our article on How to Certify to learn more.
Are You Preparing for the Exam?
For more study options on your path to Being a TCRN, choose from our book or flashcards.
Resources
Menzies Kent, K. (2017). Trauma Certified Registered Nurse (TCRN®) Examination Review (1st ed.). New York, NY: Springer Publishing.
Trauma Nurse. (n.d.) Retrieved from https://www.nursingexplorer.com/careers/trauma-nurse
What is a Trauma Nurse? (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.registerednursing.org/specialty/trauma-nurse/
What Does a TCRN® Do? What's it Like Being a TCRN?
Also known by its acronym, TCRN®, a Trauma Certified Registered Nurse works with patients who have serious or potentially life-threatening injuries or illnesses. A TCRN® often sees patients who have suffered abuse, car and motorcycle accidents, burns, acts of violence such as assault or gunshot wounds, and head injuries. They also care for patients who may have had a heart attack or stroke. A TCRN® can work anywhere in a hospital, including the emergency room (ER), intensive care unit, trauma step-down unit, and trauma medical/surgical unit.
A TCRN®’s main focus is to stabilize patients. Being a TCRN means that you'll provide wound care, administer CPR and IV fluids, and do whatever needs to be done to help save a patient’s life. Basic and advanced life-support certifications are also needed to be a TCRN®. Being a TCRN means that you may care for multiple patients and they need to prioritize care based on the seriousness of the patients’ conditions. Meticulous documentation is especially critical in this role, as it may be needed in the future for any cases that involve law enforcement.
Trauma nurses must remain cool under pressure. They are often the first person a patient will see in the ER when patients arrive. Staying level-headed in a chaotic environment is one of the most important traits a TCRN® can have. There’s a lot of responsibility that comes with the job, and there is often not a lot of time for decision making.
How Do I Become a TCRN®?
To become a TCRN® you must hold an active RN license, after which you’ll need to pass the TCRN® exam offered by the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing (BCEN). This certification needs to be renewed every four years! Read our article on How to Certify to learn more.
Are You Preparing for the Exam?
For more study options on your path to Being a TCRN, choose from our book or flashcards.
Resources
Menzies Kent, K. (2017). Trauma Certified Registered Nurse (TCRN®) Examination Review (1st ed.). New York, NY: Springer Publishing.
Trauma Nurse. (n.d.) Retrieved from https://www.nursingexplorer.com/careers/trauma-nurse
What is a Trauma Nurse? (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.registerednursing.org/specialty/trauma-nurse/