Trauma Nursing Core Course (TNCC)
Philosophy:
The magnitude of trauma as a national and international problem is documented by data that
identifies injury as being the primary cause of death in persons under age 45. The optimal care
of the trauma patient is best accomplished within a framework in which all members of the
trauma team use a systematic, standardized approach to the care of the injured patient.
Emergency nurses are essential members of the trauma team. Morbidity and mortality of
trauma patients can be significantly reduced by educating nurses to provide competent trauma
care. The Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) and its constituents have the responsibility to
facilitate trauma-related, continuing education opportunities for nurses who provide care to
trauma patients.
Purpose
Trauma nursing as a discipline refers to the process and content of all the different roles
nurses have in the care of the trauma patient. Knowledge is the core of any discipline. The
purpose of TNCC is to present core-level knowledge, refine skills, and build a firm foundation
in trauma nursing.
Trauma Nursing Core Course (TNCC)
ENA developed and implemented the TNCC for national and international dissemination as a
means of identifying a standardized body of trauma nursing knowledge. The TNCC (Provider) is
a 16 or 20-hour course designed to provide the learner with cognitive knowledge and
psychomotor skills. Nurses with limited emergency nursing clinical experience, who work in a
hospital with limited access to trauma patients, or who need greater time at the psychomotor
skill stations are encouraged to attend courses scheduled for the 20-hour format. The TNCC
(Instructor) course is an 8-hour course designed to prepare nurses to become TNCC (Provider)
Instructors. The nurse must have successfully completed the provider course prior to attending
the Instructor course. The Instructor course emphasizes appropriate teaching strategies as
well as correct evaluation methods.
Provider Course Participants
The TNCC may be officially attended by registered nurses (RN's). Other health care
providers may attend the course as observers. In order to maximize success in the TNCC
(Provider), it is recommended that the participant have at least six months of clinical nursing
experience in an emergency care setting. It is assumed that the course participant possesses
generic nursing knowledge, has an understanding of emergency care terminology, and has
familiarity with standard emergency equipment.
Organizational Structure
ENA's Department of Course Operations at the National ENA office is responsible for
approving, in advance, all TNCC courses and instructors and also monitoring the quality of the
TNCC program. The Course Operations Department and TNCC International Faculty will serve
as a resource as needed.
Cost
A standardized nationwide fee for TNCC (Provider) or TNCC (Instructor) is not set, because
costs associated with conducting these courses varies from location to location. An indirect fee
is submitted to National ENA for each participant and a portion of this indirect fee is
returned to the ENA State Council to support their trauma program and other council
functions (e.g., nursing practice functions).
Organization of the TNCC Provider Course Manual
The TNCC (Provider) manual is designed to reinforce and supplement lectures and psychomotor
skills content. The interactive psychomotor skill stations facilitate initial integration of
psychomotor abilities in a risk-free setting which simulate trauma patient situations.
The following psychomotor skill stations are included in the TNCC (Provider):
Trauma
Nursing Process (scenario-driven, interactive trauma assessment), Airway and Ventilation
Interventions, Spinal
Immobilization, Selected Interventions: Chest Trauma and Traction Splinting. A ratio of one
faculty per four learners is required. Each participant is provided the opportunity to practice
the identified skills during rotation through the skill stations.
TNCC (Provider) Course Content
The Trauma Nursing Core Course and Trauma Nursing Epidemiology, Biomechanics and
Mechanisms of Injury
Initial Assessment
Shock
Brain and Craniofacial Trauma
Thoracic and Neck Trauma
Abdominal Trauma
Spinal Cord and Vertebral Column Trauma
Musculoskeletal Trauma
Burn Trauma
Trauma and Pregnancy
Pediatric Trauma
Geriatric Trauma
Psychosocial Aspects of Trauma Care
Stabilization, Transfer, and Transport
Demonstration of the Trauma Nursing Process Station
Skill Stations
Trauma Nursing Process
Airway and Ventilation Interventions
Spinal Immobilization
Selected Interventions: Chest Trauma and Traction Splinting
Evaluation
Successful completion of the course includes scoring 80% or greater on the multiple choice
examination and
demonstrating all critical steps and 70% of the total points in the evaluated skill stations. The
evaluated skill stations are the Trauma Nursing Process, Airway and Ventilation Interventions,
and Spinal Immobilization.
TNCC Verification
Verification will be issued from ENA upon successful completion of the evaluated psychomotor
skill stations and the multiple choice examination. Expiration of verification will occur four
years from the first day of the month in which the card was issued. ENA does not offer
certification on any level as related to completion of this course.
Continuing Education Contact Hours (CECH's)
CECH's are awarded based on hours attended, regardless of performance during evaluation.
