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. 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. ENA developed and implemented the TNCC for national and international dissemination as a means of identifying a standardized body of trauma nursing knowledge. 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.