Nursing Commons^™

Trauma Resource Nurse: A Leadership Role In A Pediatric Level 1 Trauma Center, Claudia Hines

Theses and Graduate Projects

Nurses in a pediatric emergency department are accustomed to caring for critically ill and injured children. Pediatric trauma requires nurses to have a high level of expertise. However, along with this expertise, nurses need to demonstrate strong leadership skills to be an effective partner in the trauma team. Attaining a pediatric level I trauma designation by the American College of Surgeons generated uncertainty in emergency nurses' perceptions of their ability to care for trauma patients. Emergency departments within trauma centers have recognized the need for specialized nursing programs or nursing roles in the care of trauma. Nursing leadership competencies, interprofessional …