The Society of Trauma Nurses (STN) has experienced tremendous growth over the past few years, with membership now exceeding 2,400 nurses. This represents a 25% increase since 2012, much of which has stemmed from increasing interest by clinical nursing professionals across the continuum of trauma nursing care.
The Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing established the Trauma Certified Registered Nurse (TCRN) certification program in 2015, based in part on the significant demand by trauma nurses in clinical settings. The new certification program compliments STN's long-standing commitment in preparing nurses in clinical trauma care through its Advanced Trauma Care for Nurses course, the Electronic Library of Trauma Lectures, STN Special Interest Groups, conference sessions, and webinars. STN recently introduced the TCRN Preparatory Course to assist nurses in preparing for TCRN certification.
Both STN and its leaders are committed to ensuring that clinical trauma nursing professionals have access to the tools, resources, and relationships that will help them best succeed. To demonstrate this commitment, STN, with the overwhelming support of members, has changed the organization's bylaws to add a clinical director position to the STN Board of Directors. This position will help ensure that clinically focused trauma nurses have a voice on important issues affecting the Society.
I am pleased to report that Linda Reinhart, MSN, RN, CNS, has been appointed to serve in this important role for the 2016 program year. After that time, this important position will be elected by the STN membership. Linda brings a wealth of expertise and experience to this position and will undoubtedly be an exceptional resource for STN members!
In addition to adding a clinical director to the STN Board of Directors, STN leaders in partnership with the STN Past President's Council and the STN Awards Committee have established the STN Clinical Excellence Award. This award, which will be annually bestowed, is designed to recognize STN members who provide direct patient care to trauma patients. Nurses must have 3 years of experience in trauma nursing and demonstrate a breadth of knowledge in clinical nursing practice and provide a minimum of 850 hours of direct patient care within the trauma continuum.
STN Clinical Excellence Award recipients will be formally recognized at the STN Annual Conference. For more information about the award criteria or to nominate a trauma nurse for this prestigious honor, please visit http://www.traumanurses.org/awards or contact me at mailto:[email protected].