Imagine using your expertise to save the lives of patients going through the toughest time of their lives! Welcome to the world of the surgical trauma intensive care unit (STICU), where nurses play an important role in saving the lives of patients who have suffered traumatic injury or undergone major surgery. Becoming an STICU (surgical trauma intensive care unit) nurse requires special education, training, skills, and experience. The demand for surgical traumatic nurses is increasing day by day, and if you want to become a travel STICU (surgical trauma intensive care unit) nurse, then you are in the right place. We will guide you on how to become an STICU nurse and what nurses should know before diving into this career.
What qualifications do I need to become a surgical trauma ICU nurse?
If you are thinking of becoming an STICU (surgical trauma intensive care unit) nurse, then it is important to get your nursing degree first. You can apply for either an ADN (Associate Degree in Nursing) or a BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing). ADN is a 2-year nursing program, whereas BSN is a 4-year nursing program, but many specialized settings such as the ICU prefer a BSN degree.
After getting your nursing degree, you have to pass your NCLEX-RN exam to get your nursing license. if you want to become a travel surgical intensive care unit (STICU) nurse, you need at least 1 to 2 years of experience. You can apply for NLC, which is a compact state nursing license that allows you to work in multiple states without applying for extra or multiple licenses.
What are the best certifications for a surgical trauma ICU nurse in the USA?
Some of the best certifications for a surgical trauma ICU nurse in the USA are:
- BLS (Basic Life Support): It covers CPR, the use of an AED, and how to manage choking patients. This is required by most healthcare professionals, including nurses.
- Certified Neuroscience Registered Nurse (CNRN): Designed for nurses who work with patients having neurological conditions.
- Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN): Nurses who provide direct care to critically ill adult patients.
- Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS): Focused on cardiovascular activities such as heart attack, arrhythmias, etc.
- Trauma Nursing Core Course (TNCC): This course is designed for nurses who work in trauma.
- Certified Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nurse (CWOCN): Focused on wound care such as burns, surgical wounds, etc.
- Certified Perioperative Nurse (CNOR): It includes preoperative, intraoperative, and post-operative care.
- Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS): This is Important for nurses working with pediatric patients.
- Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN): This certification is Essential for nurses working in emergency or trauma care.
What is the ICU nurse job description and skills?
The word STICU means Surgical Trauma Intensive Care Unit, and STICU nurses are specialized nurses who take care of critically ill patients facing life-death situations. These STICU nurses are found in trauma ICUs, surgical ICUs, cardiac ICUs, etc., where patients need constant monitoring and advanced medical interventions. But to become an STICU nurse not only requires education and qualification but also special skills that are as follows:
- Continuous monitoring and assessment of the vital signs of the patients.
- Administering medications, managing IV lines, and taking care of wounds, etc.
- Operating and managing ventilators, dialysis machines, etc.
- Performing CPR and closely working with other healthcare team members.
What is the trauma ICU nurse salary by state in the USA?
The salary of surgical Trauma ICU nurses varies according to location, facility, experience, etc., but according to Zip Recruiter, the average salary of trauma ICU nurses in the USA is $41 per hour. Here is the list of hourly salary of STICU nurses in USA by states.
State Hourly Wage
- Washington $58.28
- District of Columbia $58.15
- New York $56.29
- Massachusetts $56.20
- Alaska $55.41
What are the top trauma residency programs in USA?
- Cleveland Clinic – Trauma Nursing Residency Program (Cleveland, OH)
- Johns Hopkins Hospital – Trauma Nurse Residency Program (Baltimore, MD)
- New York-Presbyterian Hospital – Trauma Nursing Residency Program (New York, NY)
- University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) Medical Center – Trauma Nurse Residency Program (San Francisco, CA)
- Kaiser Permanente – Trauma Nursing Residency Program (Various Locations)
Conclusion
Becoming an STICU nurse is the best career choice as it offers high pay and great job opportunities, but it has its own challenges. The average salary of surgical trauma ICU nurses in the USA is $40 per hour, but it can vary according to state and experience. Becoming an STICU nurse requires education, skills, and certifications to succeed in this field. Certifications like BLS, ACLS, PALS, CEN, etc., are the best options if you want to advance your career in trauma nursing.
If you want to become a travel nurse, then join SkillGigs now and get the opportunity to work in top healthcare facilities. Choose your own assignment, location, salary, etc. Download our app and become part of our travel nursing world!
