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 is 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.

If you are interested in conducting an ATCN course in the U.S., please contact the ATCN Chair, Elizabeth Seislove at elizabeth.seislove@lvh.com.  If you are interested in conducting an ACTN course outside the U.S. please contact Rich Henn at ATCN@traumanurses.org.

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:

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.