[hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”aboveTheFold” /][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]If you want an exciting career as part of a team that saves lives, trauma nursing can be an emotionally and financially rewarding choice. Trauma nurses provide nursing care in emergency departments and other emergency care settings.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]This guide describes how to become a [hen-ui-link href=”/careers/trauma-nurse//”]trauma nurse[/hen-ui-link] and how to earn your trauma nurse certification.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]What Is a Trauma Nurse?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”/careers/trauma-nurse//”]Trauma nurses[/hen-ui-link] provide lifesaving care during emergencies. While most trauma nurses work in hospital emergency departments, they also work as part of first responder teams, natural or human-made disaster relief units, and in standalone emergency departments. In a large hospital, they may also work in specialized emergency services, such as burn units.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]To be a trauma nurse, you must be able to think quickly during a crisis, work as part of a team, and have exceptional observation skills.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]While trauma nurse certification isn’t legally required to work as a trauma nurse, many employers require or strongly prefer it, especially for higher-level positions. The average annual salary for a trauma nurse, according to ZipRecruiter in February 2022, is $91,030, making it one of the higher-paying nursing specialties.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Steps to Becoming an Emergency Trauma Nurse[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]You must first earn a nursing license to become an emergency trauma nurse. Check your state’s nursing license requirements for details, as these vary by state. You can earn either an associate degree in nursing (ADN) or a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN), but many employers prefer a BSN for higher-level or administrative roles.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]A BSN also makes it easier to earn a master’s and become an emergency nurse practitioner.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”check”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]1. Earn an ADN or a BSN[/hen-ui-heading][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]An ADN takes two years and focuses on practical nursing, while a BSN, which takes four years, includes more advanced courses and conceptual courses related to nursing leadership.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”check”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]2. Pass the NCLEX exam[/hen-ui-heading][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) is a multiple-choice exam on nursing skills, hygiene and infection prevention, communications, and legal/ethical aspects of nursing.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]When deciding how to become a trauma nurse, consider the school’s NCLEX-RN pass rate and its graduation rate.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”check”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]3. Gain experience in emergency or trauma nursing[/hen-ui-heading][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Like all entry-level nursing jobs, your first job in emergency or trauma nursing provides you with on-the-job training. You can gain this experience in many different settings, such as an emergency department, intensive care unit (ICU), burn unit, or other emergency unit.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”check”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]4. Consider becoming a trauma certified registered nurse (TCRN)[/hen-ui-heading][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing (BCEN) offers TCRN certification. To be eligible, you must have a current and unencumbered nursing license and pass the examination. The BCEN recommends but does not require two years of experience as a trauma nurse.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”check”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]5. Find employment[/hen-ui-heading][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Trauma nurses are in demand in a variety of hospital and emergency care settings. You can find jobs through [hen-ui-link href=”/resources//professional-nursing-associations/”]professional nursing association[/hen-ui-link] job boards or networking opportunities (the Emergency Nurses Association is the largest association), general job boards, or [hen-ui-link href=”/resources//working-with-nursing-recruiters/”]nursing recruiters[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Most hospitals have trauma nurse openings or accept resumes in anticipation of future needs.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”belowTheFold” /][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Emergency Trauma Nurse Education[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]You can become a trauma nurse and earn trauma nurse certification with either an ADN or a a BSN degree. However, some employers prefer or require a BSN. A BSN also prepares you to enter a [hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/msn/types-of-masters-degrees-in-nursing//”]master’s nursing program[/hen-ui-link] to become an emergency nurse practitioner, if you are interested in a higher salary and more professional autonomy.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]ADN Degree[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]An [hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/adn/”]ADN degree[/hen-ui-link] takes two years, compared to four years for a BSN. Tuition costs and entry requirements for an ADN are generally lower than for [hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/bsn/best-bsn-programs-online/”]BSN programs[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]This degree is best suited for those who want to start work as a nurse as soon as possible or whose academic record doesn’t necessarily reflect their nursing potential. However, a BSN degree is more valuable if you want a higher-level position, to work at an academic medical center, or earn a [hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/msn/”]master of science in nursing[/hen-ui-link] (MSN).[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Admission Requirements: [/hen-ui-text]High school diploma or GED, typically with a 2.0 or higher GPA[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Program Curriculum: [/hen-ui-text]Practical nursing skills, communication, legal and ethical aspects of nursing[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Time to Complete: [/hen-ui-text]Two years of full-time study[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Skills Learned: [/hen-ui-text]Running medical tests, monitoring vital signs (such as blood pressure and blood oxygen levels), maintaining a hygienic environment, drawing blood, administering medication, wound cleansing and treatment, using medical equipment, collaborating with healthcare teams, and more[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]BSN Degree[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]A [hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/bsn/”]BSN degree[/hen-ui-link] is a four-year degree that covers more advanced topics and includes more leadership and administrative courses than an ADN. If you want to earn a master’s or become a nurse practitioner, you will need a BSN or earn the equivalent through an [hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/msn/best-online-rn-to-msn-programs/”]RN-to-MSN program[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]This degree is best suited for those who want to work as a manager or other nursing team leader, work at an academic medical center or other prestigious workplace, or want to become a nurse practitioner.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Admission Requirements: [/hen-ui-text]High school diploma or GED, typically a 3.0 or higher GPA; may require courses in math, biology, and chemistry in high school[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Program Curriculum: [/hen-ui-text]Practical nursing skills, communication, leadership, public health, the healthcare system, legal and ethical aspects of nursing[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Time to Complete: [/hen-ui-text]Typically four years of full time study[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Skills Learned: [/hen-ui-text]Running medical tests, monitoring vital signs like blood pressure and blood oxygen levels, drawing blood, administering medication, wound cleansing and treatment, using medical equipment, nurse leadership, healthcare management, and more[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″ id=”credentials”]Emergency Trauma Nurse Licensure and Certification[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Sometimes people ask how to become a trauma nurse without an RN license. This is not possible, since all states require a nursing license to practice nursing. If you want to work in emergency care without a nursing license, you could become an emergency medical technician or a [hen-ui-link href=”/cna/”]certified nurse assistant[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-grid columns-md=”2″ gap=”md”] [/hen-ui-grid][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Working as an Emergency Trauma Nurse[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Trauma nursing is a high-stress position. Learning how to become a trauma nurse includes learning how to manage stress and maintaining calm and resilience under pressure.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Because of COVID-19, trauma nurses are in especially high demand, both to cope with the pandemic and in response to many trauma nurses retiring because of the pandemic. While the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 9.0% growth between 2020 and 2030 for all nurses, trauma nurse jobs may grow faster.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The average annual salary for a trauma nurse, according to ZipRecruiter, as of February 2022, is $91,030, which reflects the high demand. You can find trauma nurse jobs through job boards, [hen-ui-link href=”/resources//networking-in-nursing/”]professional networking in nursing[/hen-ui-link], recruiters, or applying directly to employers that interest you.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Trauma nurses work in several settings, including:[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-grid columns-md=”3″ gap=”md”] [/hen-ui-grid][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Frequently Asked Questions About Becoming an Emergency Trauma Nurse[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-separator /][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]How long does it take to become an emergency trauma nurse?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]It takes at least two years to earn an ADN, but many emergency trauma nurses earn a BSN, which takes four years. The BCEN recommends but does not require two years of experience as an emergency trauma nurse for certification.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]What is the difference between an emergency trauma nurse and a critical care nurse?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]An emergency trauma nurse provides the nursing care needed to stabilize a patient, while a [hen-ui-link href=”/careers/critical-care-nurse/”]critical care nurse[/hen-ui-link] provides care once the patient is stabilized. Most critical care nurses work in an ICU, while emergency trauma nurses are more likely to work in an emergency department.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Do trauma nurses help in surgery?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Trauma nurses help surgeons during emergency surgeries, typically in the emergency department but sometimes in specialty units such as burn units. They monitor the patient’s vital signs and provide other assistance during surgery. They also offer nursing care before and after the surgery.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]What career advancement opportunities are available for emergency trauma nurses?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Emergency trauma nurses can become nursing team or nursing unit leaders or [hen-ui-link href=”/careers/nurse-administrator/”]nurse administrators[/hen-ui-link]. Trauma nurse certification is very helpful for earning these promotions. They can also earn an MSN and become an emergency nurse practitioner. Nurse practitioners enjoy higher salaries and more professional autonomy, but they have more responsibilities.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Related Pages[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-article-row variant=”slider” ids=”33995,33940,34153″][/hen-ui-article-row][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ tag=”em”]Page last reviewed January 31, 2022[/hen-ui-text]