CATN - Course in Advanced Trauma Nursing

TODAY'S TRAUMA NURSE must possess the ability to correlate broad physiologic/pathophysiologic processes to specific clinical problems. In advanced trauma nursing, physiologic principles and human responses are applied to injury, enabling the nurse to move beyond the traditional roles and responsibilities of the trauma nurse. The practice of trauma nursing encompasses comprehensive knowledge of trauma care systems, expertise in complex decision making, and knowledge of bioethical considerations in trauma care.

Recognizing a need for a course in advanced trauma nursing, the Emergency Nurses Association developed the Course In Advanced Trauma Nursing: A Conceptual Approach. The conceptual approach to trauma care enables the trauma nurse to work in a collaborative role as a member of the trauma team to determine the patient's needs and plan of care. The conceptual approach is used as the framework for teaching CATN as concepts or abstract ideas are the building blocks of a theoretical framework. The CATN concepts correlate broad psychophysiologic and pathophysiologic processes to specific clinical problems and further develop substantive knowledge in trauma nursing. By using a conceptual approach, the course provides the trauma nurse with a mental cataloging system that can be used to quickly retrieve clinical information regarding Priorities of care.

"Encourages you to think about all aspects of care."

BY TAKING THIS COURSE, trauma nurses can strengthen their critical decision-making skills to optimally impact the outcome of critically injured patients. CATN will benefit nurses caring for patients throughout the trauma continuum. The course was developed to reinforce the interlocking psychophysiologic concepts central to trauma nursing. CATN is a continuing education course rather than a mandatory verification course.

By focusing on the enhancement of complex decision-making skills, this emphasis allows trauma nurses to:

• Discern commonalities among many clinical problems
• Determine priorities of care
• Establish criteria to evaluate the ongoing clinical condition

"I found the course helped me integrate the concepts and get me back to the basics of why I do what I do."

COURSE DESCRIPTION
The Course in Advanced Trauma Nursing: A Conceptual Approach is an innovative continuing education program which utilizes a case study approach and critical decision-making skills. This 13-hour course combines didactic content with interactive discussions, presented in a flexible format.

Upon completion of the course the participant should be able to:

• Analyze psychophysiologic concepts as they relate to human responses to injury
• Integrate the psychophysiologic concepts through case studies
• Synthesize the principles of trauma system development, ethical dilemmas, and the application of science to nursing practice with the physiologic concepts to assure a comprehensive approach to the injured patient
• Evaluate the effectiveness of advanced trauma nursing on patient outcomes

"Gave me the why's of what we do and stimulated me to rethink decisions and problems."

COURSE PARTICIPANTS
The Course in Advanced Trauma Nursing: A Conceptual Approach may be officially attended only by Registered Nurses (RNs). Course participants are expected to be familiar with core anatomy and physiology. A participant manual is provided prior to course attendance. It is also recommended that course participants attend the Trauma Nursing Core Course Provider (TNCCP) prior to CATN.

THE PREREQUISITE knowledge for each chapter describes the basic information required to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the advanced concepts. Additionally, the complex case studies allow participants to apply the learned principles in a collaborative learning environment.

COURSE SCHEDULE

• Trauma (Care Systems: Foundations for Excellence)
• Framework for Decision Making
• Critical Decision Making in Trauma Nursing
• Ethical Decision Making
• Trauma Team Collaboration and Interpersonal Relationships
• Application of Science to Practice Concepts
• Oxygenation and Ventilation
• Transport and Perfusion
• Tissue Integrity
• Mobility and Sensation
• Pain
• Consciousness