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Do you want to become an emergency/trauma/transport (ETT) nurse? If yes, you’re making an excellent career decision. You’ll love the benefits that being an ETT nurse brings.

  • Higher salaries. You’ll earn about $15,000 more in annual income than the average nurse. (2019 ETT Nursing Workforce Survey)
  • More likely to work full-time than other nurses. About 85.4% of ETT nurses work full time, while it’s 65.3% of all nurses.
  • Generally satisfied with their jobs. About 86.7% of ETT nurses report satisfaction with their work.

More importantly, ETT nurses have a significant impact on patient care and outcomes. This is because their key responsibilities include:


  • Advocating for patients with their doctors and management
  • Increasing patient safety, care, and outcomes

ETT nurses are in high demand, too, because of an aging population, among other reasons.

However, becoming an ETT nurse demands earning the appropriate certifications. You’ll not only gain life-saving skills, but you’ll also have a competitive edge.

Here, we’ll discuss the key trauma and emergency nursing certifications for students. You must start earning them ASAP and build your credentials.

Related:

Why Certifications Matter in Emergency and Trauma Nursing

Some trauma and emergency nursing certifications for students are mandatory (e.g., BLS). Some certifications are optional (e.g., ACLS) for students. Regardless of their status, these certifications matter in emergency and trauma nursing.

Here are the reasons why:

Certifications Enhance Clinical Skills and Confidence

Earning emergency and trauma nursing certification for undergraduates results in the following:

  • Developing specialized knowledge and skills in emergency and trauma care. Critical care techniques and trauma assessment are key skills. 
  • Gaining hands-on training in life-saving techniques in emergency and trauma situations. Patient stabilization and intubation are examples.
  • Nurturing problem-solving, critical thinking, and decision-making skills in stressful situations. These skills can mean the difference between life and death, too.

Indeed, you’ll be more competent as an aspiring ETT nurse. In turn, you’ll have more confidence in your abilities.

Furthermore, many certifications require continuing education for renewal purposes. You’ll be up-to-date with the latest in technologies and treatments.

Benefits for Job Prospects and Career Advancement

Earning emergency and trauma nursing certification for undergraduates opens up opportunities, too.

  • Be more competitive for entry-level jobs
  • Earn a higher salary (e.g., starting salary and pay differential)
  • Eligibility for specialized jobs
  • Faster career progression

Many Hospitals Prefer or Require Certain Certifications for ER and Trauma Nurses

Healthcare facilities with emergency and trauma care departments seek qualified people. As a registered nurse with ETT certifications, you fit the bill. Be sure to highlight your credentials.

Key Emergency and Trauma Nursing Certifications for Undergraduate Students

Basic Life Support (BLS)

Basic Life Support is among the best emergency nursing certifications because of its foundational importance. In fact, it’s required for all nurses and healthcare workers. You’ll learn basic life-saving skills in case of emergencies (e.g., choking and cardiac arrest).

BLS training covers:

  • Basic first aid principles and best practices
  • Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for infants, children, and adults
  • Automated External Defibrillator (AED) use

The American Heart Association or AHA offers BLS training and certification.

Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS)

Yes, ACLS training can be part of your nursing student trauma training. You’ll be eligible for emergency department or intensive care nursing jobs if you earn it.

The ACLS certification builds on BLS skills, particularly on CPR skills. You’ll learn advanced skills in:

  • Managing cardiac emergencies like heart attacks and strokes
  • Administering medications for cardiac emergencies (e.g., lidocaine)
  • Performing advanced airway support techniques (e.g., endotracheal intubation)

The ACLS certification is only one of many certifications you must earn if you want to be an ER or ICU nurse.

Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)

This certification demands specialized training for pediatric emergency care. If you want to work with children in emergency and critical care settings, go for it. You’ll learn about life-threatening conditions in children and the proper responses.

The PALS training covers the management of pediatric shock and respiratory distress. You’ll also learn the best practices in pediatric resuscitation.

Trauma Nursing Core Course (TNCC)

This is among the best entry-level emergency nursing credentials for its fundamental nature. You’ll learn the essential trauma skills, including:

  • Performing a primary survey or rapid trauma assessment
  • Providing patients with on-the-spot, life-saving interventions (e.g., airway and hemorrhage management)
  • Performing trauma care techniques for different injuries (e.g., spine stabilization and splints)

The TNCC credential is best if you want to work in trauma-focused environments. The emergency room and trauma ICU are examples.

The Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) provides the training and certification.

Emergency Nursing Pediatric Course (ENPC)

Yet another of the best certifications for trauma care nurses is the ENPC. You’ll want to earn it if you want to work in pediatric emergency settings. These include caring for children with critical injuries or illnesses in emergencies.

The ENPC training covers the following:

  • Performing assessment techniques for children of all ages (i.e., infants to adolescents)
  • Providing appropriate interventions for children in emergencies (e.g., respiratory failure)

Earn the ENPC certification from the ENA, too.

Stop the Bleed Certification

Controlling life-threatening bleeding is among the must-have emergency medical skills for nurses. The Stop the Bleed certification is the best for this purpose. You’ll get hands-on training for controlling severe bleeding and develop skills like:

  • Applying pressure and a tourniquet
  • Packing wounds
  • Using hemostatic agents

This is a useful certification for trauma nurses and first responders. The American College of Surgeons endorses the Stop the Bleed certification.

Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN)

The CEN certification usually requires nursing work experience. But you can start preparing early for it by:

  • Gaining clinical experience in emergency nursing
  • Studying for the CEN certification exam (e.g., taking CEN preparation courses)

This is a recognized credential for emergency nursing expertise. Advanced skills cover a wide range of emergency care procedures.

The Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing or BCEN administers the CEN credential.

Prehospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS)

You ask, “How to become a trauma nurse?” You can start by earning the PHTLS certification. In doing so, you’ll have a strong foundation in trauma patient management.

If you want to work alongside paramedics and EMTs, the PHTLS certification is also useful. You’ll learn skills to stabilize patients in field situations.

The National Association of EMTs (NAEMT) developed the certification.

Disaster Preparedness and Response Certification

This is also a must-have among undergraduate nursing certifications. You’ll learn life-saving skills during natural and manmade disasters. So, if you’re planning to be part of disaster relief and emergency response teams, go for it.

Skills learned during a disaster preparedness and response certification program include:

  • Emergency preparedness
  • Crisis management
  • Disaster triage

Red Cross and FEMA are among the organizations that offer relevant certifications.

Certified Flight Registered Nurse (CFRN)

The CFRN certification requires specialized training for nurses in air medical transport. Candidates must have a registered nurse license. But students can gain early exposure in the field by:

  • Attending air medical transport seminars and workshops
  • Taking part in clinical rotations with air medical transport teams
  • Shadowing flight nursing or air medical transport teams

The BCEN also administers the CFRN certification.

How to Get Started with Emergency and Trauma Nursing Certifications

Earning trauma and emergency nursing certifications for students takes thoughtful planning. But once you get started on the right foot, the rest follows naturally.

Best Time for Nursing Students to Take These Certifications

Many of the featured certifications are available only for registered nurses. But you can earn some certifications while you’re still a nursing student.

Here are the best times to start during your nursing student years.

  • During your first and second years:
    • Basic Life Support
    • Stop the Bleed Certification
    • Pediatric Advanced Life Support
  • During your second and third years:
    • Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support
    • Emergency room nursing certification (e.g., Emergency Nursing Pediatric Course)
  • After graduation:
    • Trauma Nursing Core Course
    • Certified Emergency Nurse
    • Certified Flight Registered Nurse
    • Prehospital Trauma Life Support

Choose certifications based on your interests, career goals, and work experience.

Resources for Finding Certification Programs

Check out these reputable professional nursing organizations for certification programs.

  • American Heart Association (AHA) for BLS, PALS, and ACLS
  • Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) for TNCC and ENPC
  • Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing or BCEN for CFRN, CEN, and more
  • National Association of EMTs (NAEMT) for PHTL and others
  • FEMA and Red Cross for disaster preparedness and response certifications

Ask your nursing program coordinator for information, too.

Conclusion

Earning trauma and emergency nursing certifications for students is important because it:

  • Increases your specialized knowledge and skills in trauma and emergency nursing care
  • Boosts your competence and confidence as a registered nurse
  • Improves your employment and career advancement prospects

So, while you’re still a nursing student, earn as many certifications as you can. You’ll face challenges – balancing academics while earning certifications isn’t easy. But the rewards are worth the challenges.

Your next steps must be researching programs and enrolling in courses. You must also gain clinical experience along the way.

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