Advanced Trauma Care for Nurses

Advanced Trauma Care for Nurses (ATCN) is an advanced course designed for the registered nurse interested in increasing his/her knowledge in management of the multiple trauma patient. The ATCN course is taught concurrently with ATLS. The ATCN program has been operational for over 15 years and has an excellent record of offering a superb trauma educational program, and maintaining a positive collaboration with the ACS Committee on Trauma State Chapters. The ATCN program is currently being offered in numerous states as well as internationally. The ATCN Committee is continually responding to requests from other regions, states, and countries to start this program in their areas. There is a 6-month planning process for all inaugural courses.

Course Description

The nurse participants audit the ATLS lectures. During the ATLS skill and testing stations, the nurses are separated from the physician group and directed through ATCN skill stations. ATCN Skill stations include:

Initial Assessment and Management
Airway and Ventilatory Management
Pediatric Trauma

Hemorrhagic Shock
Musculoskeletal & Spinal Trauma
Head Trauma

The Skill Stations are based on an interactive "hands-on: scenario-based approach" to adult education. The practical testing stations allow the ATCN students to demonstrate the application of ATLS and ATCN information on a moulaged patient. Participants receive both a ATCN manual and an ATLS manual.

The ATCN program verifies successful completion of the ATCN course and provides continuing education for completion of a course. ATCN and STN do not certify or credential nurses.

New Institution and Course Site Instructions

If you are interested in conducting ATCN courses at your facility, please review the ATCN Start up Paperwork Packet. After reviewing the information, please contact the ATCN Chair, Michael Glenn, RN for US Courses and for courses outside the US, please contact Rich Henn.

Course Documents and General Information