Trauma Leadership Role
The results of these studies reinforce the evidence that nurses contribute to the effective functioning and communication of the trauma team. A study that introduced a nurse team leader improved the perceptions of a nurse led trauma team within the ED (Clements et al., 2015). The leadership role for a nurse leading a trauma team requires the nurse to oversee the trauma team resuscitation in conjunction with the medical team leader. It is important that they work together to ensure the smooth running of both the medical and team elements of the resuscitation effort. The concept of overseeing the team enables the nurse to compile a well structured team which is known to work more effectively (Cooper and Wakelam, 1999). The culture of the trauma
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There is a current equivalent nurse within the inpatient setting, which is known as the rapid response nurse. The rapid response nurse is a member of the medical team who responds to deteriorating patients outside of the ED. Their role has been shown to improve team dynamics, patient outcome and communication, be effective in leadership and rapidly identify the deteriorating patient (Gilligan, 2005; Jolley et al., 2007). It has also been identified that trauma nurse coordinators within the military setting have shown improved performance in trauma care by implementing clinical practice guidelines, improving patient care processes and refining policies (Fecura et al., 2008). Combining the rapid response nurse with the emergency trauma nurse role and introducing some of the military policies could further improve the leadership skills a trauma team needs in an emergency resuscitation situation.
It can be concluded from this that nurse trauma team leaders can improve the communication and leadership within trauma resuscitations when working alongside a medical team leader. The knowledge and experience that a trauma nurse can bring to the situation, as well as the assertiveness of a senior nurse ensure the effective functioning of a trauma team. It is important that the development of nurse trauma team leaders is supported by the medical staff and encouraged within trauma team training programmes to ensure an effective and well-run trauma
There is a current equivalent nurse within the inpatient setting, which is known as the rapid response nurse. The rapid response nurse is a member of the medical team who responds to deteriorating patients outside of the ED. Their role has been shown to improve team dynamics, patient outcome and communication, be effective in leadership and rapidly identify the deteriorating patient (Gilligan, 2005; Jolley et al., 2007). It has also been identified that trauma nurse coordinators within the military setting have shown improved performance in trauma care by implementing clinical practice guidelines, improving patient care processes and refining policies (Fecura et al., 2008). Combining the rapid response nurse with the emergency trauma nurse role and introducing some of the military policies could further improve the leadership skills a trauma team needs in an emergency resuscitation situation.
It can be concluded from this that nurse trauma team leaders can improve the communication and leadership within trauma resuscitations when working alongside a medical team leader. The knowledge and experience that a trauma nurse can bring to the situation, as well as the assertiveness of a senior nurse ensure the effective functioning of a trauma team. It is important that the development of nurse trauma team leaders is supported by the medical staff and encouraged within trauma team training programmes to ensure an effective and well-run trauma