TNCC Certification Guide: Master Trauma Nursing Skills with Expert Training

When seconds count, trauma nurses are the frontline heroes who save lives. The Trauma Nursing Core Course (TNCC), developed by the Emergency Nurses Association (ENA), is the gold standard for trauma nursing education. If you’re a registered nurse looking to elevate your skills and confidence in trauma care, TNCC is your gateway.

The medical team urgently transports a trauma patient through the hospital corridor on a stretcher.

The TNCC program is a comprehensive training initiative designed to equip nurses with the knowledge and hands-on skills needed to deliver high-quality trauma care. It combines online learning modules, instructor-led sessions, and a hands-on skills evaluation to ensure participants are fully prepared for real-world scenarios.

Who can take TNCC?

 Registered nurses (RNs) with a current, unrestricted license are eligible for full provider certification. Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and paramedics may attend the course and earn continuing education hours, but they are not eligible for provider status verification.

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What will you learn? 

Participants gain expertise in systematic trauma assessment, rapid identification of life-threatening injuries, and evidence-based interventions. The course also covers communication strategies, shock management, and care for burn and head trauma patients.

Virtual TNCC begins with required online pre-course modules hosted by ENA. Participants then attend a live Zoom session with certified instructors, engage in virtual skill stations using ENA’s manikin simulation, and complete an open-book online exam to earn certification.

Available Course Selections

There are several course options available: a comprehensive 1.5-day TNCC Certification Course for first-time participants, a 1-day Fast Track Renewal Course for previously certified nurses, a TNCC Exam Prep Workshop for those preparing for the certification exam, and a Skills Challenge for experienced nurses who only require testing.

All participants must have the 9th Edition ENA TNCC Provider Manual, which contains the evidence-based content used throughout the course. Skill testing is performed using ENA’s virtual manikin. Each participant is presented with a trauma scenario and must verbally walk through the Trauma Nursing Process (TNP), demonstrating how they would assess and manage the patient.

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Final Thoughts and Conclusion

TNCC certification is issued by the ENA and accepted worldwide by employers who require trauma nursing credentials. Provider status is valid for four years from the date of successful course completion, and participants earn 19.50 continuing nursing education (CNE) contact hours.

Ready to take your trauma nursing skills to the next level?  Register today