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Trauma Nursing Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

RN Educator Trauma

Salem, VA · On-site

$36.90 - $55.35/hr

Do you want to create your own personal career path in nursing? HCA Healthcare is your career ... Apply today for our RN Educator Trauma opportunity. Job Summary and Qualifications As an RN Trauma ...

RN Educator Trauma

Salem, VA · On-site

$36.90 - $55.35/hr

Do you want to create your own personal career path in nursing? HCA Healthcare is your career ... Apply today for our RN Educator Trauma opportunity. Job Summary and Qualifications As an RN Trauma ...

RN Educator Trauma

Salem, VA · On-site

$36.90 - $55.35/hr

Do you want to create your own personal career path in nursing? HCA Healthcare is your career ... Apply today for our RN Educator Trauma opportunity. Job Summary and Qualifications As an RN Trauma ...

Work with physicians, nurses, EMS providers, and quality staff to ensure accurate data collection. * Assist with trauma-related research projects and provide data for publication or benchmarking.

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Showing results 1-20

Trauma Nursing information

See Virginia salary details

$27

$51

$75

How much do trauma nursing jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 3, 2026, the average hourly pay for trauma nursing in Virginia is $51.01, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $38.85 and $59.57 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is trauma nursing?

Trauma nursing is a specialized field of nursing focused on caring for patients who have experienced acute injuries or traumatic events, such as car accidents, falls, or violent incidents. Trauma nurses work in emergency departments, trauma centers, and critical care units, where they assess, stabilize, and manage patients with life-threatening conditions. They collaborate closely with doctors, surgeons, and other healthcare professionals to provide rapid intervention and ongoing care. Trauma nurses must be skilled in advanced life support, quick decision-making, and working effectively under pressure. Their role is crucial in improving outcomes for patients with serious injuries.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a trauma nurse, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Trauma Nurse, you need expert clinical skills in emergency care, trauma assessment, and stabilization, typically supported by a nursing degree, RN licensure, and certifications like TNCC (Trauma Nursing Core Course). Familiarity with advanced life support systems, trauma resuscitation equipment, and electronic health records is essential. Exceptional critical thinking, resilience under pressure, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for this high-stakes environment. These skills and qualities are vital for delivering rapid, accurate care and ensuring optimal outcomes for critically injured patients.

What are some common challenges trauma nurses face when working in a fast-paced emergency environment?

Trauma nurses often encounter high-pressure situations where rapid decision-making and prioritization are critical. They must manage multiple patients with varying degrees of injuries, coordinate closely with physicians, surgeons, and other specialists, and quickly adapt to changing patient conditions. Emotional resilience is also essential, as trauma nurses frequently care for critically injured patients and must remain calm and focused under stress. Teamwork and clear communication are vital to ensuring patient safety and delivering effective care in these dynamic settings.

What is the difference between Trauma Nursing vs Emergency Nursing?

AspectTrauma NursingEmergency Nursing
CredentialsRegistered Nurse (RN), Trauma Nurse Certification (TNCC)Registered Nurse (RN), Emergency Nurse Certification (ENPC)
Work EnvironmentTrauma centers, hospitals, critical care unitsEmergency departments, urgent care centers
Employer & IndustryHospitals with trauma centers, specialized trauma facilitiesHospitals, urgent care clinics, emergency services
Work FocusCare for severely injured patients, trauma protocolsInitial assessment, stabilization, and treatment of acute illnesses and injuries

Trauma Nursing and Emergency Nursing share many similarities, including work environments and required certifications. However, Trauma Nursing specifically focuses on caring for severely injured patients in trauma centers, while Emergency Nursing covers a broader range of urgent health issues in emergency departments. Both roles are vital in acute care settings and require specialized skills and certifications.

How much do trauma nursing nurses make?

Trauma nurses typically earn a median annual salary of around $75,000 to $85,000, depending on experience, location, and certifications such as Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS). Salaries can vary widely based on the healthcare facility and shift differentials for night or weekend work.

How to get a job as a trauma nurse?

To become a trauma nurse, you need to earn a nursing degree such as an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), obtain licensure as a registered nurse (RN), and gain experience in emergency or critical care settings. Certification in trauma nursing, such as the Trauma Nursing Core Course (TNCC), can improve job prospects. Strong clinical skills, the ability to work under pressure, and familiarity with trauma protocols are essential for this role.

What does a trauma nurse do?

A trauma nurse provides emergency care to patients with severe injuries, assessing their condition, administering treatments, and coordinating with medical teams. They work in high-pressure environments like emergency rooms or trauma centers and often require certifications such as Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS).

What are popular job titles related to Trauma Nursing jobs in Virginia?

For Trauma Nursing jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What cities in Virginia are hiring for Trauma Nursing jobs?

Cities in Virginia with the most Trauma Nursing job openings:

Infographic showing various Trauma Nursing job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 3% As Needed, 51% Full Time, 24% Part Time, and 22% Contract. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $106,110 per year, or $51 per hour.

RN Trauma Quality Improvement

Chesapeake Regional Healthcare

Chesapeake, VA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 28 days ago


Chesapeake Regional Healthcare rating

6.9

Company rating: 6.9 out of 10

Based on 22 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

Position Summary
The RN, Trauma Quality Improvement is responsible for monitoring and evaluating performance in the new Trauma Program and works closely with the Trauma Registry to ensure accurate concurrent data collection and identification of performance improvement occurrences.
Collaborates with the Trauma Medical Director, Trauma Program Director, Trauma Registrars, and other disciplines to review the performance and safety of the Trauma Program coordinating activities to evaluate issues, promote loop closure, and enhance clinical outcomes.
Accountable for meeting the federal and state regulatory and accrediting standards for performance improvement and patient safety for a Level III trauma program.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
These duties and responsibilities described below represent the general tasks performed daily; other tasks may be assigned.
The RN, Trauma Quality Improvement is responsible for managing and implementing the trauma PI model using the trauma PI manual:
  1. Responsible for maintaining the tracking system for case reviews and performance improvement reports.
  2. Evaluates the trauma care process for efficacy, quality, safety, and effectiveness of patient care guidelines through chart review.
  3. Assists in establishing indicators for performance improvement activities/filters.
  4. Interpret data and prepare reports for performance improvement, support of related programs, research purposes, and regulatory visits.
  5. Participate in local, state, and national meetings and conferences as required by state and national regulations.
  6. Identifies trauma patients that meet process improvement inclusion criteria.
  7. Collaborates with the Trauma Program Manager, Trauma Medical Director, and other hospital personnel to evaluate and problem-solve variations in care identified during chart review.
  8. Outcome follow-up with referring hospitals and transporting agencies.
  9. Participates as an integral member of the Trauma Services team. Involved in leadership and professional development to assure skills and knowledge of trauma information.
  10. Collaborates with Trauma Program Manager and other Trauma staff to determine data collection and monitor parameters.
  11. Participates as an integral team member in the maintenance of and preparation for review of the Trauma Center.
  12. Presents data at Trauma PIPS and Trauma peer review meetings as requested per the TPD.
  13. Demonstrates constructive and effective relationships with staff, peers, and customers. Maintains positive employee relations and good employee morale. Emphasizes the team approach to work. Motivates and mentors those to strive for "excellence."
  14. Creates a culture within the department that rewards cooperation, teamwork and collective problem solving.
  15. The RN serves as the role model for his/her professional area of practice.
  16. Assesses team member's clinical competency through observation, testing, return demonstration and evaluation of the occurrences of variances to care standards.
  17. Serves as a mentor and preceptor to students and all new hires.
  18. Serves as a resource for students.
  19. Attend required hospital-wide orientations, meetings, and in-services.
  20. Demonstrate a commitment to flexible work scheduling when necessary to ensure patient care.

Supervisory Responsibilities
Reports to: Trauma Program Director
Qualifications
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Education and Experience
Minimum Required Education
  • Must be a Registered Nurse licensed in the State of Virginia or compact state.
  • Bachelor's Degree required.
  • Trauma Nursing Core Course (TNCC) required; instructor status preferred.

Experience
  • At least two years of progressive trauma quality improvement experience at a Level II or III trauma center.
  • Four years' of nursing experience in emergency department or intensive care setting caring for trauma patients.

Certificates, Licenses, and Registrations
  • Must be a Registered Nurse licensed in the State of Virginia or compact state.
  • Must have current BLS, ACLS and PALS Certifications.
  • Certification in a specialty field preferred.
  • Trauma Outcome Process Improvement Course (TOPIC) within 6 months.
  • Trauma Certified RN certification within 6 months.

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.
For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

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