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Diary of a Trauma Nurse
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My name is Cory. I am a mom, a wife, a NaNa, and a critical care nurse that lives in Nashville, TN. I have found my calling in ER/Trauma/ICU. Each day I find myself experiencing life changing events and hope that by reading my posts, you will experience and feel some of what I do. If you read nothing else, please take time to read "The Hardest Question Ever Asked". It's my very first posting. And if for some reason you think you see your story here.....you don't. It's not about you or anyone you know. =)



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Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Advice To Nursing (and PRE) Nursing Students





Recently I’ve been contacted by a slew of nursing students and PRE nursing students who want advice on going into Trauma nursing. I personally believe that once you get through nursing you will have a pretty good idea of what area you want to go into. Or at the very least what you DON’T want to do. That’s not to say that I didn’t graduate and think “good grief, there are too many options” and I was really afraid to choose just one. Well, I knew from the first time I stepped into the ER as an Extern that I was an adrenaline junkie. After some time in the ER as a nurse, I felt I wanted to follow my patients to see how they were progressing which of course lead to Trauma (via the NICU to get my foot in the door.)

So, my advice to the last few who contacted me was this: If you are a nursing student, try to get a job in a Trauma Unit (or whatever unit that interests you) as a tech. Most of the time I’ve found that if you work as a tech in a unit they will hire you as a new nurse when you graduate because you know the routine and you’ve been “around.” Also, I suggest whether you are pre-nursing or a nursing student or a new nurse, contact your local hospital and take a tour of the different areas. I can tell you I was scared shitless when I toured the Trauma Unit for the first time and I had been a nurse for a while. And if you’re gonna do Trauma, go for Level One!!! Don’t play around! Ha/ha.


I also suggested reading CrzeGrl and ER RN’s pages. I get a lot of traffic from them, read them regularly and know they’ve got good stuff on their sites. Also, all of the links on my page I suggest they read. I believe we all tell it like it is. My actual “trauma stories” are older in my archives since I’ve gone to ICU but there are more stories to come. I’ve got masses in my memory that still haunt me, make me cry, make me smile, and that I think about daily. I just don’t have the time to put them all down.

Rest assured, they’re coming. And if nothing else, the best of luck to ya!!!!! It’s all worth it if you're doing it for the right reason!!!

CoryTraumaRN posted today at 10:07 PM

Comments:
Just want to say thank you for thinking so highly of my blog. This is great advice for anyone thinking about trauma. It isn't for everyone, but getting a taste as a student will not only help get through school because of the practical experience, it also helps give mental motivation for seeing school through to the end!
 
I think that is great advice. I am also from the old school in that I believe everyone should have a good solid year of med-surg.
 
Thanks for the advise! I'm currently in pre-nursing, soon to take the CNA course. I work for a major hospital with a Level I trauma center. Right now I'm just a patient transporter, but I do most of my transports within the ER (to CT, xray, etc). I am such an adrenaline junkie too and I love the ER work!
 
Hey! Thanks for the comment about my blog. You rock. Glad to see you blogging more often recently too. I like to read your stuff.

Good advice given to those looking to join our ranks in the future!
 
Hey Cory,

Thanks for the info for us students. It's nice to get some perspective from the other side of state boards. I'm actually considering working in a trauma unit in your neck of the woods. Vandy has a nurse residency program (I'm sure you know all about it) that would allow me to get started off in some area of critical care. Looks like a great opportunity. Take care!
 
I just found your blog and I love it! I'm a first year nursing student who swore I was going into L&D when I graduated, but I think trauma is starting to call my name :)
 
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