TCRN - Trauma Certified Registered Nurse
About TCRN Certification
The Trauma Certified Registered Nurse (TCRN) exam, administered by the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing (BCEN), is a specialized certification for registered nurses committed to excellence in trauma care. Achieving this credential validates a nurse's proficiency in managing trauma patients across the continuum of care, from injury prevention and prehospital interventions to acute care and rehabilitation. The TCRN certification underscores a nurse's dedication to delivering high-quality, evidence-based care to trauma patients.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
Exam Description | A comprehensive certification exam for registered nurses specializing in trauma care. It covers the entire continuum from prehospital care to rehabilitation. |
Credentials Earned | Trauma Certified Registered Nurse (TCRN) |
Eligibility Requirements | BCEN suggests having two years of experience to sit for the exam, but it’s not mandatory. |
Completion Time | 3 hours to complete the exam |
Subjects Covered in the Exam | Six main categories: Clinical Practice - Head and Neck; Clinical Practice - Trunk; Clinical Practice - Extremity and Wound; Clinical Practice - Special Considerations; Continuum of Care for Trauma; and Professional Issues. |
Number of Questions | 175 multiple-choice questions (150 scored, 25 unscored "pretest" questions) |
Exam Format | Multiple-choice, computer-based test |
Exam Proctoring | The exam can be taken via live remote proctoring or at a PSI testing center. |
Recertification Details | Required every 4 years. Options include completing 100 contact hours of continuing education (75 hours specific to trauma nursing and 50 from an accredited source) or retaking and passing the TCRN exam. |
Pass/Fail Rates | Pass rates vary annually, ranging from pass rates of 59% to 62%. |
Difficulty Level | Hard |
Study Material | BoardCerts TCRN Exam Prep |
BoardCerts TCRN Question Bank
BoardCerts provides a comprehensive question bank designed to help you excel on the Trauma Certified Registered Nurse (TCRN) exam. Our content is fully aligned with the TCRN exam blueprint. Each question is carefully reviewed by trauma care experts and TCRN-certified nurses, ensuring accuracy and relevance. Our question bank mirrors the rigor of the exam and includes detailed rationales and explanations to enhance your understanding and preparation.
TCRN Exam Content Outline
The TCRN exam content is structured around six main domain categories:
- Head and Neck (33 questions): Focuses on managing traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, facial fractures, and neck trauma.
- Trunk (37 questions): Addresses thoracic and abdominal injuries along with genitourinary and obstetrical trauma.
- Extremity and Wound (25 questions): Covers musculoskeletal trauma, and surface and burn trauma.
- Special Considerations (25 questions): Explores psychosocial issues, shock, Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS), and care for populations such as bariatric and victims of violence.
- Continuum of Care for Trauma (15 questions): Highlights injury prevention, resuscitation, acute care, rehabilitation, and end-of-life considerations like organ donation and palliative care.
- Professional Issues (15 questions): Focuses on trauma quality improvement, disaster management, regulatory standards, and trauma team dynamics, emphasizing evidence-based practice and advocacy.
For more detailed blueprint outline, please review the TCRN exam blueprint, which can be found here: Preparation and Resources
Key Concepts on TCRN Exam
Exam Categories: Percentage Distribution
TCRN Exam Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for the TCRN exam, a registered nurse must hold a current, unrestricted RN license in the United States, a U.S. territory, Canada, or Australia, or possess an equivalent nursing certificate. Additionally, it is recommended but not required that candidates have two years of trauma nursing experience, averaging 1,000 practice hours per year, and complete 20 to 30 hours of trauma-specific coursework. These recommendations ensure that candidates have sufficient hands-on experience and specialized knowledge across the trauma care continuum before pursuing certification.
TCRN Application Process
Online Application: Online Application: Visit the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing (BCEN) website to access the online application portal.
Application Submission: Complete the application by providing the required personal, professional, and payment information. Once payment is processed, you'll receive an eligibility email containing important details about your 90-day testing window and instructions for scheduling your exam.
Scheduling the Exam: Upon approval, schedule your exam through the PSI testing platform. You can choose to take the test at a PSI testing center or via live remote proctoring. After scheduling, you’ll receive a confirmation email with details about your exam date, time, and location (if applicable).
Preparation: The BoardCerts TCRN Question Bank is specifically designed to streamline your preparation for the TCRN exam by aligning closely with the exam blueprint and mirroring the level of difficulty found on the actual test. While additional resources and references are available in the candidate handbook, our question bank consolidates essential materials into a comprehensive tool that covers all the topics on the exam. Additionally, the question bank is meticulously reviewed and updated with every exam blueprint revision to ensure it reflects the latest standards and advancements in trauma nursing care.
TCRN Exam Dates and Costs
The Trauma Certified Registered Nurse (TCRN) exam is available year-round, allowing candidates the flexibility to schedule their exam at any time within their assigned 90-day testing window after receiving eligibility confirmation.
The latest information on TCRN exam dates, application deadlines, and costs can be found on the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing (BCEN) website. For comprehensive details and resources, visit bcen.org.
TCRN Exam Format
Number of Questions: The TCRN exam includes 175 multiple-choice questions, of which 150 are scored, and 25 are unscored "pretest" questions.
Exam Response Options: Multiple-choice format with four response options.
Testing Options: The exam is available at PSI testing centers or via live remote proctoring, offering candidates flexibility in selecting their preferred testing method.
Time Allotted: Candidates have 3 hours to complete the exam.
Passing Score for TCRN
Difficulty Level: The TCRN exam is widely regarded as challenging, with a pass rate ranging between 59% to 62%. It tests a broad range of advanced trauma nursing knowledge and application skills. The BoardCerts TCRN Question Bank is specifically crafted to align with the exam blueprint and is reviewed by trauma care experts and TCRN-certified nurses, helping you approach this demanding test with confidence.
Passing Score: The TCRN exam uses a raw score system, meaning the number of questions answered correctly determines the pass or fail result. BCEN employs the Angoff technique, a statistical method that estimates the pass/fail threshold. To ensure fairness across different versions of the exam, statistical equating adjusts the passing score based on the difficulty level of each test form. This process ensures consistency and fairness for all candidates.
Exam Statistics: Exam statistics can be viewed on BCEN Certifications Exam Statistics website
Score Reporting: Candidates receive an on-screen pass/fail result immediately after completing the TCRN exam. Those testing at a PSI center will also receive a written score report on-site, while live remote proctoring candidates receive their detailed score report via email.
TCRN Exam Proctoring
The Trauma Certified Registered Nurse (TCRN) exam is administered by the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing (BCEN) in partnership with PSI Services. Candidates can choose to take the exam through live remote proctoring or at one of PSI’s extensive network of test centers across the United States.
Live Remote Proctoring: Candidates can take the TCRN exam via Live Remote Proctoring, which allows for flexibility in completing the exam from a secure location of their choice, such as their home or office. The exam is monitored in real-time by a proctor through the candidate's webcam and microphone to ensure security and compliance.
TCRN Preparation and Resources
At BoardCerts, we align our TCRN question bank closely with the TCRN exam blueprint to ensure relevance and accuracy. Our questions are meticulously developed in accordance with the exam blueprint, utilizing references that validate the official exam content. This alignment ensures that the question bank is based on the same authoritative sources that shape the TCRN exam, offering a comprehensive and effective preparation experience.
Topics on Exam: Familiarize yourself with the topics covered in the TCRN exam blueprint, which can be found here: Preparation and Resources
Review Course: Enroll in a review course, such as those offered by trauma nursing organizations, to build a solid understanding of the exam content. Candidates can search for review courses on the BCEN website.
Question Bank: The BoardCerts TCRN Question Bank is an essential resource, designed to mirror the exam's structure and difficulty. Developed and reviewed by trauma care experts and TCRN-certified nurses, it provides extensive question practice and includes four predictor exams to assess your readiness and improve your confidence.
TCRN Certification Renewal
The Trauma Certified Registered Nurse (TCRN) certification is valid for four years. To renew certification, candidates must complete one of the following options, ensuring continued competency in trauma nursing.
To renew the TCRN certification, candidates can choose one of two pathways:
Practice Hours:
- Complete 100 contact hours of continuing education (CE) during the four-year certification period. Of these, 75 hours must be clinically focused on trauma nursing, and at least 50 hours must be from an accredited source.
Retake and pass the TCRN certification exam:
- Pass the exam again within the four-year certification period to reaffirm up-to-date knowledge and competency in trauma nursing.
For the most up-to-date information on TCRN recertification requirements and processes, visit here.
TCRN Practice Questions
Practicing sample questions is an essential part of TCRN exam preparation, helping you become familiar with the exam format, question style, and critical content areas. The BoardCerts TCRN Question Bank provides high-quality, exam-focused sample questions that align with the TCRN exam blueprint, ensuring you are confident and well-prepared on test day. The BoardCerts questions are carefully crafted to reflect the level of application and difficulty you can expect on the TCRN exam.
Frequently Asked Questions
