Do not be daunted by the thought of taking a Trauma Nursing Core Course (TNCC). While the course scope and a hefty textbook weighing in at over 400 pages can seem a bit overwhelming, our highly experienced and educated instructors are here to assist you in mastering the material and skills you need to not only pass the test but feel confident in applying your new knowledge to actual scenarios you may experience in the emergency room.

The TNCC curriculum was created by the Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) in the 1980s to address the need for specialized education and training for nurses in trauma and emergency care settings. The TNCC 9th edition course book, released last month, features reshaped and revised pre-course learning activities to include modules on communication in the ED and patients in shock, the addition of a chapter on care of LGBTQ+ trauma patients, and more Trauma Nursing Process teaching scenarios which create additional opportunities to apply course content into simulated patient exercises.

What has not changed in the newest edition is that TNCC’s foundational education highlights the latest trauma nursing practice recommendations, information on the systematic assessment and standardized approach to trauma nursing care, and a focus on rapid identification of life-threatening injuries.

Interested in hearing more about the new edition straight from members of the team who helped develop the updated TNCC, 9th Edition? Tune in to the ENA podcast to hear about what’s new and enhanced in the cornerstone course that helps prepare emergency nurses to care for trauma patients.

What does the course cover?

General course content covers the latest trauma nursing practice recommendations, systematic assessment and care application, and rapid identification of life-threatening injuries. Participants will also learn:

• Trauma Assessment and Management: Techniques for rapid and comprehensive assessment of trauma patients, identifying life-threatening injuries, and initiating appropriate interventions.

• Airway and Ventilation Management: Strategies for maintaining a patent airway and ensuring proper ventilation in trauma patients, including advanced airway management techniques.

• Shock and Hemorrhage Control: Identification and management of different types of shock and techniques to control bleeding and prevent hemorrhage-related complications.

• Head and Spinal Cord Injuries: To minimize secondary damage, evaluate and manage head injuries, including traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries.

• Musculoskeletal Injuries: Assessment and care of fractures, dislocations, and other musculoskeletal trauma.

• Burns and Environmental Injuries: Recognition and initial management of burn injuries and other injuries resulting from exposure to extreme environmental conditions.

• Pediatrics and Geriatrics: Special considerations and techniques for assessing and managing trauma in pediatric and geriatric populations.

• Psychological and Emotional Support: Strategies for providing emotional support and communication techniques to trauma patients and their families.

• Patient Advocacy and Ethical Considerations: Understanding ethical dilemmas and legal aspects related to trauma care and advocating for patients’ rights and informed decision-making.

Who Should Take the Course?

Emergency room nurses should consider taking the TNCC course to advance their skills in these areas:

• Enhanced Clinical Skills: The TNCC course equips nurses with advanced assessment and management skills specific to trauma care, enabling them to provide high-quality and efficient care to critically injured patients.

• Improved Patient Outcomes: With the knowledge gained from the TNCC course, nurses can identify life-threatening conditions quickly and initiate appropriate interventions, leading to improved patient outcomes and survival rates.

• Confidence and Competence: The course instills confidence in nurses by providing them with the necessary tools to manage complex trauma cases effectively and efficiently.

• Standardized Approach: TNCC follows evidence-based guidelines and best practices in trauma care, promoting a standardized approach to patient assessment and management, which is crucial in a fast-paced emergency environment.

• Professional Development: Completing the TNCC course demonstrates a commitment to professional growth and ongoing education, which can contribute to career advancement and emergency and trauma nursing opportunities.

There are some prerequisites for taking the course, as participants must be an RN and possess an unrestricted nursing license to receive verification. However, LPNs and paramedics can attend all course portions except for the written and psychomotor evaluations. For this reason, they do not receive confirmation but are awarded contact hours.

What Methods of Learning Can You Expect?

At ACLS Academy, a variety of learning methodologies are included to cater to every learning style:

Textbook: The latest TNCC Trauma Nursing Core Course Provider Manual edition includes evidence-based content developed by trauma emergency experts. The 24-chapter, comprehensive manual is a compilation of current trauma nursing standards and a valuable resource for future reference.

Online learning: Online modules with links to additional information are provided before the course date to let you learn at your own pace, apply what you know, receive immediate feedback, and refer back to information at any time. The modules are a complete case study process — taking you through an entire sequence of care. Schedule it around your work and personal commitments to devote the attention and energy it deserves so that you maximize its potential and attend the in-person component prepared and ready to apply your learning.

Live simulation: TNCC includes hands-on training using individual and team approaches. Trauma nursing process psychomotor skills stations allow you to practice trauma patient assessments and interventions in a controlled environment. Skill Stations include Trauma Nursing Process Teaching Stations, Airway and Ventilation Interventions Teaching Stations, Spinal Protection, Helmet Removal, and Splinting Physical Assessment Stations.

Instructor-led classroom discussions and skill stations: TNCC is a one-and-a-half-day intensive course taught by expert instructors.

The TNCC Final Exam Test is an open book format with fifty multiple-choice questions to be completed in 2-hours with 80% to pass.

Nurses who complete the course receive a four-year, internationally recognized TNCC provider verification and earn 18.3 CNE contact hours.

ACLS Academy TNCC course schedule can be found here.