Jose Lopez

Trauma Nurse Practitioner Research Paper

Salt Lake Community College

05/06/2017

Trauma Nurse Practitioner

Traumanursingisafacepacedandexcitingfield,filledwiththechallengesand

fulfillmentofemergencyroomcare.TraumaNursestreatpatientsinastateofemergency,and

handleurgentsituationswherethecauseofinjuryordiseaseisntyetknown.Theycanworkin

hospitalemergencyroomsandotherchaoticenvironments,andoftenneedtocoordinatewith

doctors,familymembersandothernurses(DiscoverNursing,2017).Traumanursesarethefirst

lineofdefensepatientsseewhenenteringemergency/traumadepartments,andareimportantto

theiroverallcare.Althoughthefieldhasaseriesofprosandconsthatmustbeconsidered,the

fieldcanprovideaveryrewardingexperienceforthosewithapassionforhealthcare.

Thedaytodaydutiesofatraumanursepractitionercanvary,duetotheunpredictable

natureofemergencyroomcare.Typically,traumanursesfillawiderangeofresponsibilities,as

traumacarerequiresanarrayofknowledgeandexpertise.Forexample:

Atraumanursewillhavetoprovidedifferentkindsofemergencymedicalprocedures,

suchasIVinsertion,intubation,administrationofmedicineordrugs,monitoring,and

evendrawingblood.Theyshouldmonitorcarefullyandwatchoutforanychanges.

Preparingapatientforsurgeryordiagnostictestingisalsopartoftheirrole.
 Theeducationpathtowardsbecomingalicensenursepractitionercanbelengthy,yet

rewarding.Acareerinnursingrequiresaprimaryeducation,beginningwithahighschool

diplomaortheequivalent.Tobeacceptedintoanursingprogram,aGPAof2.0isrequiredupon

thecompletionofaseriesofmandatoryprerequisitecourses.Afterwards,astudentmayapplyto

beacceptedintoabachelorofsciencenursingprogram.Thisdegreeisearnedthrougha4year,

programatacreditedUniversity,thatofferthespecificprogramandcertification.Afteran

undergraduateeducation,registerednursesmustalsopassthenationallicensureexamination

calledtheNCLEXRN,beforetheycanbeofficiallycertified.Followinggraduationfromthis

program,onemustgainanadditionaltwoyearsoftraininginthespecializedareaoftraumaand

emergencycarebeforetheycanworkasatraumanurse(NurseJournal20052017).Theymust

alsoapplyforanemergencynursingcertificationfromtheBCEN(BoardofCertificationfor

EmergencyNursing,takeaTraumaNursingCoreCoursefromtheENA(EmergencyNurses

Association)(NursingExplorer,20122017).Additionally,acertificationinpediatric

emergency(CPEN),flight(CFRN),emergency(CEN),andcriticalcaregroundtransport

(CTRN)nursing(NursingExplorer,20122017).Moreover, to secure the position as a nurse

practitioner, nurses must subject themselves to additional schooling in an accredited masters

program. Admissions to these programs may vary, however, most require a series of entrance

exams, a 3.0 undergraduate GPA, a personal interview, and an extensive application process

(University of Utah, 2017). Upon the completion, of an average of two years within the program,

students are then licensed and accredited with their master of science in nursing.

The career outlook for nursing as discipline is very promising. The healthcare industry is

exponentially growing, on both national and global levels. Healthcare is a field that truly has no
end. Science and medicine is constantly progressing and thriving, as preventative and curative

treatments are constantly being discovered. The salaries of healthcare occupations also reflect the

growth and significance of the field. In recent study done by the Bureau of Labor Statistics in

May 2016, statistics show that the average, family nurse practitioner is making a mean wage of

$102,070 annually in Utah. In contrast, nurse practitioners in specialty fields make an annual

mean wage of $117,120. On a national level, nurse practitioners make annually $104,610, which

is far less than Utahs earnings. This creates numerous opportunities for nurses looking for

careers within Utahs job market.

There are many pros to becoming a nurse practitioner within the trauma field. After

completing my education, I can enjoy the financial benefits of an excellent job outlook and

promising salary. This ensures much needed job stability and security throughout the entirety of

career, which is especially important to me when starting a family. The accreditation for these

programs are also served nationally, creating a large opportunity base across the United States.

This allows me to look outside of my home state for a career, which would incredibly exciting.

In addition, my advanced schooling and experience as an N.P. opens possibilities for

future growth outside the realm of trauma. A masters in nursing allows one to specialize in a

range of fields. If I choose, I could settle down into family or internal medicine, and practice

preventative adult care. This would allow me a much calmer field of nursing, which would be

beneficial when I begin to age. I would have the freedom in choosing my own schedule, and

creating my own healthcare team. In addition, Id gain a steady patient base, in which I can build

lifelong relationships with.

 Likewise, I could take my MSN and go back to school, in pursuit of a doctorates in

nursing. This would allow me to conduct extensive research, possibly advancing or creating new

techniques in trauma care.

Although a trauma nurse practitioner has its benefits, it does not come without a cost. In

contrast, a career in nursing has a series of major drawbacks. One of the major disadvantages of

following this career path, lies within the sheer weight of the educational and financial demands.

For example, a career as a trauma nurse practitioner requires about ten plus years of clinical

schooling and training. This time commitment can be unreasonable for many students, especially

those who struggle financially. For those who self-pay, the sheer length of this timeline can be a

struggle to fulfill. On the other hand, those students who choose to finance their education, could

be tens of thousands of dollars in debt by graduation (Nurse.org 2016).

The time and money constraints can be very overwhelming for any student pursuing this

career. Personally, however, these limitations are especially difficult. I am currently an

undocumented immigrant. I pay my tuition entirely by myself, which has been quite the financial

struggle. Paying my way each semester, has become quite the dilemma in completing my degree

on time. This has added years to my expected graduation date, as I continue to work full time,

taking only a couple classes to ensure its affordability. This is a serious hindrance in a career that

requires the decade long financial and time commitment. Nonetheless, a career in trauma nursing

is a career path Im seriously interested in pursuing. Even in its drawbacks, patient care has

become a field I am incredibly passionate about. This passion is truly the driving force behind

my intense devotion to this field.

 In evaluating myself, I found that a lot of my best qualifies would work well for trauma

nursing. In the initial job description of a trauma nurse, I found the following virtues highlighted

as the most important fit for the job:

As a trauma nurse, he or she should quickly adapt and get used to the terrible medical

injuries commonly encountered inside an emergency room. They must be quick to

respond to the patients needs and offer medical intervention. Trauma nurses are the first

line of health care professionals to attend to seriously injured patients. A trauma nurse

immediately should triage the patient and evaluate the degree of injury or the extent of

patients need for prioritization. He should be very organized and calm in times of

emergency situations (Nursing Explorer 2017).

I am very patient, empathetic and level headed individual. I am quick on my feet, and I have a

passion for learning. I work great in team settings, but I can also assume a strong presence in

leadership roles. Furthermore, I have the capability to handle the intense physical demands of the

position.

Overall, a career as a trauma nurse practitioner invokes a rigorous amount of passion,

dedication, schooling and experience. While the career may require an intense financial and time

requirement, the benefits of a progressive job outlook and hefty salary can help alleviate the

strain. In addition, the fulfillment of having a direct impact on patient care can also prove to be

rewarding, especially for those who show a passion in healthcare. If saving lives is your calling,

a career as a trauma nurse is one that would be worth considering.

 Sources

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Advantages And Drawbacks Of Getting An MSN (2016). Retrieved May 06, 2017, from
http://www.nursingexplorer.com/careers/trauma-nurse

Http://nursejournal.org/, 2. N. (2005-2017). How To Become An Emergency Trauma

Nurse. Retrieved May 06, 2017, from
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Master of Science in Nursing. (2017, April 28). Retrieved May 06, 2017, from
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May 2016 National Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates. (2017, March 31).
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