Hostettler Completes Trauma Nurse Certification

1/20/2012

A Richland Memorial Hospital Emergency Department Nurse recently completed the course to become certified as a Trauma Nurse Specialist.  Joyce Hostettler, RN completed an eight week course through Deaconess Hospital in Evansville, Indiana during the months of September and October. The certification is good for four years.

“The course featured a lot of hands-on intensive trauma training in addition to class time,” said Joyce. “At the end of the class you were required to complete a monitored exam, similar to taking boards. I also chose to complete an eight hour internship with the Emergency Department at Deaconess.”

While she completed the course and exam at the end of October, she just received her pin and certification.

The course was a good refresher for her on how to be prepared for trauma situations.

“It has been 16 years since I have been in nursing school, so it was a really good in-depth review.  We learned the mechanisms of trauma, the impact on all the organ systems and it really made you think ahead; to better prepare for possible complications that could arise from the trauma inflicted on the patient,” noted Joyce.

 Joyce feels that the knowledge that she gained from this course will benefit the trauma patients that come into the Emergency Room seeking help.

“I think it gave me a better knowledge of what to do for the patient to ensure the best possible outcome for that patient.”