Everything you need to know about being a Trauma NP

Meet my friend Kyle. Trauma junkie, first responder, and nurse practitioner extraordinaire. In this video we talk about what he does, how he decided to pursue this path, where he went to school, his assessment of the market, and more.
My favorite resources:
If you need to purchase any of these products I am greatly appreciative if you use my links which offer a small commission and cost you nothing additional. Thank you for supporting my channel
The Ultimate H&P Cheatsheet: www.breenp.com/
(A copy of the 12 most common ICU problems with associated dot phrases to copy into your EMR with explanations for each problem. This is how you become efficient at note writing. It changed my life, literally started going home on time once I used these)
The ICU Book by Paul Marino amzn.to/3jbh2vn
(A must have. Easy to read, literally cover to cover. Also a life-long reference. Particularly helpful when the nurse calls you for tachycardia - simply flip to that page, it gives you actionable sequence of events with a little bit of pathophys)
The Ventilator Book amzn.to/2UvENE0
(A must have)
Essentials of Mechanical Ventilation amzn.to/3jiOXCi
(Deeper understanding, does a good job describing the mechanics and also I love how they break down waveforms)
Mometrix test bank for AGACNP review amzn.to/35XkUrO
Barkley Board review amzn.to/3xSCObb
(Get this before you start school and use it to study as you go along in your course - trust me it makes all the difference in the world when it comes to preparation post graduation)
The Resume Rx:
breenp--theresumerx.thrivecar...
-use code Save20 for 20% off
-Y’all. Creating a professional resume guided by an NP is one of the best investments you can make for your future. She has stellar templates and the cost includes some fabulous resources.
For more guided/detailed help take a look at her Weekend Resume DIY bundle.
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The opinions shared here are my own and may not reflect those of my employers. This is educational and does not constitute medical advise.

[@meghanbynum113]

Kyle! I love it! I was EMT/FF at age 16, career paramedic, had an injury that ended my career. Went to the ER and became a nurse, saw the trauma team APP's, and said THIS IS IT! Just finished school in April and accepted an offer w that same trauma ACS team as a FNP/AGACNP! They had no vacant position but after 8 months of clinical I have a job! So cool how similar our stories were! Thanks for sharing!

[@Partimehero36]

You two have great rapport. Thanks for the video!

[@ashleymatney6078]

Awesome video! I learned so much! Thanks for sharing ♥️

[@GimpyCamper]

So I started watching your channel a few weeks ago while preparing for an interview, as I’ve worked in the same ER (just over the TN line) as an RN or FNP since 2008. I actually went to FNP school because I had Cauda Equina Syndrome in 2011 and wanted to work more with my brain than my back. I just wanted to touch on a few points of your video. #1 is the whole state variance. I’ve not had a lot of experience with this until now. My new job is a full time travel job so I’m in the process of adding 5 Additional State Licenses and it’s crazy how it’s nowhere near universal even just applying. I hadn’t even gotten to the differences in practice yet. #2. Thanks for being candid. The whole aspect about responsibility is real. #3 talking about listening to podcasts and such… I do this regularly and will probably branch out to a few more with travel days on my new job. Education is one of those things that can really scare you if you pay attention though because you realize how much you don’t know. Which, I also classify as a strength and not a weakness because no matter the role, I am way more comfortable with people that admit they don’t know something than to just give the attitude in false pretenses. We’ve all worked with them. Anyway, great video

[@BreeJuskowiak]

Agree on ALL points! Thanks for confirming. Sounds like you’ll have a very well rounded resume 😂 Best of luck!!

[@ec2749]

Nice interview. Great points and insights shared. Subscribed 👍👍

[@ctem-criticalcaretraumaeme791]

Excellent interview

[@Jessicapandu]

Love these

[@abneyacres]

Cracking up about the Tylenol order because that whole thought process is so true. I had never thought more about a one time 5mg IVP dose of metoprolol than I did the first time I ordered it as a provider.😅

[@BreeJuskowiak]

The burden of responsibility is usually underestimated. 😂

[@kellyperonti8579]

Ahhh! Miss you guys!! ❤️ this

[@BreeJuskowiak]

Miss you more!!

[@Kgibson850]

You can always move north! Neuroscience is growing here!

[@timothyburrows9622]

As a former paramedic who is an OR nurse and in an AGACNP program your job sounds like an absolute dream, wish the APP scrubbing in.

[@BreeJuskowiak]

He does have a pretty sweet gig!

[@Kgibson850]

We are just so busy in the STICU/ED/IMCU and with the general surgery residency there’s no point. We do go into the OR sometimes but not consistent basis. With our full autonomy I’m fine with it.

[@meadowvanderpol3582]

Hope you interview a pmhnp soon xo

[@BreeJuskowiak]

I’ll have to find someone, but I can work on that.

[@MineCraftVideoMak100]

Yay first view, this is my dream job

[@BreeJuskowiak]

I know a lot of people who are drawn to trauma. Go get it!!

[@lucascooper3613]

I’m becoming a nurse and this video has finally described the job of my dreams. Ive been wanting to be at the provider level for traumas since I have been to medic school and emt school. I work in the emergency room as a nurse extern now and I work in a stemi /comp stroke and open heart center with 24 7 IR and Cath services. we have neurosurgeons drill brain bleeds at bedside. Incredible stuff. I want to be though insert myself into the world of trauma which isnt offered at my hospital. I do though want to be involved as an NP from resuscitation in the ED to time of discharge as you all said. Should I try to work in a trauma hospital in the ICU or stick with where I’m at and work in their MSICU and CVICU, then go to school for ACNP and try to aim for trauma then? People told me to just get medical experience in the ICU then go to NP school. Also, second question, should i do peds and adult or can i just do adult? Do you do only adults and they have a separate pediatric team ? Is that usually the standard with trauma? Thanks

[@Kgibson850]

Hey Lucas, thanks for the reply and the great questions. Here’s my responses.. #1. You need the exposure of the trauma continuum at either a Level-1 or busy Level-2 trauma center. No difference between the initial care of these patients. Many busy 2’s function as 1s without the residency/research. #2. Most FNPs/ENPs are not involved in the initial resuscitation of trauma patients. There are some states that allow FNPs to perform inpatient tasks but our hospital and many Georgia hospitals require AGACNP cert. During school we had some ENP students who were thinking they were going to be involved in trauma resuscitations at busy verified centers - this is not the case. Many will be working in fast track or mid acuity patients. Bre also is in active resuscitations of critically ill patients in the ED once critical care medicine gets consulted. #3. Most trauma centers will take care of the initial resuscitation of Pedi patients especially in extremis, stabilize and ship to pediatric center. In Georgia, we keep patients 15 years or older.

[@lucascooper3613]

@@Kgibson850 So an ACNP like you is involved in the initial contact with the trauma patient? And after the patient is stabilized, are you basically functioning as the trauma surgery provider, while internal medicine and or intensivists also manage the care of the patient after the patient recovers in the inpatient side?

[@BreeJuskowiak]

I can help with this answer. He manages the patient through the entirety of their visit. ER/resuscitation to ICU to recovery.

[@danielodonnellii8589]

good interview. interested if more rural or urban trauma? I had great rotation through rural level 1 trauma, which was interesting as most research is targeted to urban centers. I am a pulm/cc np working in west tn in private practice. would love to contribute if you need content, may get a different perspective from a private practice vs. hospital based.

[@Kgibson850]

Hey Daniel, thanks for the feedback. We are an ACS Level-2 facility. We serve more of a rural population in this corridor of Georgia. We are projected to see around 2500 patients this year that meet our registry criteria - which is pretty busy! We do have a general surgery residency and are actively involved in research. The hope is to become a Level-1 within the next couple of years. My group is health system owned and operated.

[@brendacamilo4645]

Hey Bree, I'm currently an ACNP-AG, and I must say it has been difficult to find a job. Do you suggest doing a fellowship?

[@BreeJuskowiak]

If it aligns with your needs/goals yes I think they are wonderful. But that might not be the answer to your issue. It’s complex because we are all so highly individualized. Did you watch my video on marketing for NP’s? Cold calls/networking? May have to look for a specialty for awhile, may have to move, all depends.

[@Teaslime96]

What is on boarding? Will doing an NP fellowship help with your clinical skills?

[@BreeJuskowiak]

Onboarding is the process of credentialing and then clinical orientation. Fellowships are amazing and yes you will come out with much stronger skills.

[@Teaslime96]

@@BreeJuskowiak Thank you! ☺️

[@codysonnier8581]

So if I’m understanding correctly, you don’t need ENP to work trauma/ER? I am an AG-ACNP with no ER experience but I have been curious about dabbling in trauma/ER

[@BreeJuskowiak]

Hey Cody, yeah you don’t. You only need AGACNP….unless you want to treat kids, etc. if you want to work in ER proper you would need ENP or FNP (most people who work in ED as an APP are doing fast track/urgent care type of work which requires the ability to treat across the lifespan). Most trauma NP’s don’t work for the ER per se. They work for an inpatient team that treats this sub specialty and it starts with resuscitating in the ED.