The trauma nurse coordinator in England: a survey of demographics, roles and resources

IntroductionFollowing the introduction of the regional trauma system in 2012 the role of the trauma nurse coordinator (TNC) has been rolled out. This study aims to determine the demographic and practice profile of nurses performing the TNC role in England.MethodsAn electronic survey of TNCs across the 18 trauma networks in England was conducted.ResultsFifty-three TNCs responded (62%) to the survey. Seventeen different role titles identified. The majority of TNCs had an emergency or trauma/orthopaedics clinical background. The largest proportion of time spent was clinical (38%). Least amount of time was spent in the education (7%), and research (3%). Nearly a quarter of respondents (23%) had some form of formal research training, nearly half (47%) were assisting others in research. Over half (55%) of respondents felt that they did not have adequate human resources to conduct their role.DiscussionThis research has provided baseline information about nurses in the role of TNC, their role titles and domains of the role 18 months after the formal introduction of trauma networks in England. There are some marked similarities and differences in the time spent in the different domains of the role between these findings and those published internationally.