Level 1 Trauma vs Level 2

I am a graduate nurse applying for jobs and I really want to work in the Surgical/trauma ICU. I was wondering if there was any real difference between working at a level 1 or a level 2? Is one better than the other? or do you see more interesting cases at a level 1?

Thanks!
In an ER nurse and currently work at a trauma 2 hospital. The only reason we are a trauma 2 hospital is because we don't have an opthamalogic surgeon on site 24/7. If we did we would be certified as trauma 1. So with that being said, it all depends on which hospitals you are applying to. Those are perfectly good questions to bring up during your interview. Let the manager know what your interests are and see if their hospital is going to let you see those type of cases Good Luck job hunting! I'm not telling you it's going to be easy, I'm telling you it's going to be worth it.Author: Art Williams

Quote from BecomingNurseyIn an ER nurse and currently work at a trauma 2 hospital. The only reason we are a trauma 2 hospital is because we don't have an opthamalogic surgeon on site 24/7. If we did we would be certified as trauma 1. So with that being said, it all depends on which hospitals you are applying to. Those are perfectly good questions to bring up during your interview. Let the manager know what your interests are and see if their hospital is going to let you see those type of cases

I think level 1 is where you will see the most severe trauma. Are burn units also required? My old hospital was a level 1 and had a burn unit.Proverbs 17:22A merry heart doeth good like a medicine:but a broken spirit drieth the bones.

I hope you will have the problem of deciding which to accept....

Quote from FlyingScotIn-house, 24/7 coverage by an opthamologist is not a requirement of a Level One Trauma Center. There is likely another reason. That being said, there is not too much of a difference between Level 1 and Level 2. For a complete description you can look at the American College of Surgeons site. ETA: Trauma Center Levels Explained - American Trauma Society

Quote from BecomingNurseyThanks so much for that information! I'm going to have to look into that a little more. My director told me that's the only reason we weren't a level 1 so I'm definitely going to have to do some research

Even as a level two we get our fair share of craziness lolI'm not telling you it's going to be easy, I'm telling you it's going to be worth it.Author: Art Williams

Geography. That will change a lot of things. The level 2 I worked at was the only one for a 45 mile radius so we saw everything, but that also meant we shipped everything that was bad as well once it was stable.

I just came across your post and wanted to let you know that I am hiring for Level II trauma center in Grand Junction, CO. Not sure if you'd be interested in that at all. It would require 1-2 yrs exp. minimum in an emergency department or ICU. If you'd like to talk further you can reach me at: [email protected]