Best institutions to study Emergency Room/Trauma Nursing
A program that prepares registered nurses to deliver advanced, direct patient care in emergency and trauma settings.
9 U.S. institutions graduated 83 Emergency Room/Trauma Nursing students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 51.3816, a specialization of Registered Nursing (CIP 51.38), and leads most directly to the Registered Nurses occupation (BLS SOC 29-1141).
About Emergency Room/Trauma Nursing programs
A program that prepares registered nurses to deliver advanced, direct patient care in emergency and trauma settings. Includes instruction in advanced health assessment, pharmacology, physiology, emergency management, trauma conditions, trauma assessments and acute care.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Emergency Room/Trauma Nursing program prepares registered nurses to provide advanced patient care in emergency and trauma settings. This program is ideal for individuals seeking to enhance their nursing skills and specialize in high-pressure environments where quick decision-making and effective patient management are crucial. Students will gain the expertise needed to handle a variety of trauma conditions and emergency situations.
Core coursework includes advanced health assessment, pharmacology, physiology, and emergency management. Students will develop critical skills in trauma assessments, acute care, and patient monitoring, ensuring they are well-equipped to respond to emergencies effectively.
Credentials awarded
What Emergency Room/Trauma Nursing graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Post-master's certificate40 graduates / yr · 5 institutions48%
- Master's degree38 graduates / yr · 5 institutions46%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship3 graduates / yr · 1 institution3.6%
- Doctor's degree - professional practice2 graduates / yr · 2 institutions2.4%
Graduates over time
Emergency Room/Trauma Nursing completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 26 |
| 2013 | 16 |
| 2014 | 26 |
| 2015 | 20 |
| 2016 | 20 |
| 2017 | 26 |
| 2018 | 29 |
| 2019 | 37 |
| 2020 | 51 |
| 2021 | 53 |
| 2022 | 87 |
| 2023 | 77 |
| 2024 | 57 |
| 2025 | 83 |
Top 9 institutions for Emergency Room/Trauma Nursing, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vanderbilt University Nashville, TNPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sMaster'sDoctoral (prof.) | 30 | 94% | $14,854 | — |
| 2 | Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions Provo, UTPrivate for-profitMaster'sMaster's | 15 | — | — | — |
| 3 | EDP University of Puerto Rico Inc - San Sebastian San Sebastian, PRPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 10 | 29% | $7,300 | $31,869 |
| 4 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZPublicMaster's | 8 | 68% | — | $78,180 |
| 5 | Western University of Health Sciences Pomona, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 6 | — | — | — |
| 6 | University of Northern Colorado Greeley, COPublicMaster's | 4 | 51% | — | $74,308 |
| 7 | Dewey University - Hato Rey Hato Rey, PRPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 4 | 54% | $5,184 | $21,237 |
| 8 | Samford University Birmingham, ALPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral (prof.) | 3 | 77% | $28,160 | $64,226 |
| 9 | Loyola University Chicago Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 3 | 73% | $33,454 | $76,869 |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Registered Nursing field (CIP 51.38) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 8 states & territories
Where Emergency Room/Trauma Nursing graduates come from. Each state links to all Registered Nursing programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tennessee | 1 | 30 | Vanderbilt University30 / yr |
| Utah | 1 | 15 | Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions15 / yr |
| Puerto Rico | 2 | 14 | EDP University of Puerto Rico Inc - San Sebastian10 / yr |
| Arizona | 1 | 8 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion8 / yr |
| California | 1 | 6 | Western University of Health Sciences6 / yr |
| Colorado | 1 | 4 | University of Northern Colorado4 / yr |
| Alabama | 1 | 3 | Samford University3 / yr |
| Illinois | 1 | 3 | Loyola University Chicago3 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 29-1141, Registered Nurses, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Emergency Room/Trauma Nursing program can pursue careers as registered nurses, nurse practitioners, or nursing instructors. The job outlook is promising, with an expected growth rate of 4.9% and approximately 189,100 annual openings. The median wage for registered nurses in this field is $93,600, typically requiring a bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 51.3816
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Registered Nursesprimary SOC 29-1141 | $97,550 | +4.9% About as fast as average | ~189,100 | Bachelor's degree |
Nurse Practitioners SOC 29-1171 | $132,300 | +40.1% Much faster than average | ~29,500 | Master's degree |
Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1072 | $80,250 | +16.8% Much faster than average | ~8,600 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Emergency Room/Trauma Nursing programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Record patients' medical information and vital signs.
- Administer medications to patients and monitor patients for reactions or side effects.
- Maintain accurate, detailed reports and records.
- Monitor, record, and report symptoms or changes in patients' conditions.
- Provide health care, first aid, immunizations, or assistance in convalescence or rehabilitation in locations such as schools, hospitals, or industry.
- Consult and coordinate with healthcare team members to assess, plan, implement, or evaluate patient care plans.
Tools and technology used
Other Registered Nursing specializations
The 22 other 6-digit CIP codes under Registered Nursing (CIP 51.38).
- Registered Nursing/CIP 51.3801
Registered Nurse 263,325 graduates / yr2,067 institutions - Family Practice Nurse/CIP 51.3805
Nursing 14,703 graduates / yr293 institutions - Nursing PracticeCIP 51.38189,384 graduates / yr322 institutions
- Nursing AdministrationCIP 51.38027,804 graduates / yr198 institutions
- Psychiatric/CIP 51.3810
Mental Health Nurse/ Nursing 5,358 graduates / yr179 institutions - Nursing ScienceCIP 51.38084,605 graduates / yr148 institutions
- Registered NursingCIP 51.38993,940 graduates / yr99 institutions
- Nurse AnesthetistCIP 51.38042,183 graduates / yr72 institutions
- Adult Health Nurse/CIP 51.3803
Nursing 2,125 graduates / yr75 institutions - Public Health/CIP 51.3811
Community Nurse/ Nursing 934 graduates / yr21 institutions - Geriatric Nurse/CIP 51.3821
Nursing 680 graduates / yr43 institutions - Clinical Nurse LeaderCIP 51.3820588 graduates / yr24 institutions
- Nurse Midwife/CIP 51.3807
Nursing Midwifery 530 graduates / yr22 institutions - Critical Care NursingCIP 51.3814505 graduates / yr39 institutions
- Pediatric Nurse/CIP 51.3809
Nursing 389 graduates / yr36 institutions - Women's Health Nurse/CIP 51.3822
Nursing 350 graduates / yr15 institutions - Perioperative/CIP 51.3812
Operating Room and Surgical Nurse/ Nursing 150 graduates / yr10 institutions - Maternal/CIP 51.3806
Child Health and Neonatal Nurse/ Nursing 149 graduates / yr14 institutions - Clinical Nurse SpecialistCIP 51.3813135 graduates / yr22 institutions
- Forensic NursingCIP 51.3824partial data26 graduates / yr4 institutions
- Occupational and Environmental Health NursingCIP 51.3815partial data21 graduates / yr3 institutions
- Palliative Care NursingCIP 51.3819partial data19 graduates / yr3 institutions
Common questions
What is the focus of the Emergency Room/Trauma Nursing program?+
The program focuses on preparing registered nurses for advanced patient care in emergency and trauma settings.
What skills will I learn in this program?+
Students will learn critical thinking, active listening, and various medical knowledge essential for emergency care.
What career opportunities are available after graduation?+
Graduates can work as registered nurses, nurse practitioners, or nursing instructors, with strong job demand and competitive salaries.
What is the typical education required for this field?+
A bachelor's degree is typically required for careers in Emergency Room/Trauma Nursing.
What is the CIP code for Emergency Room/Trauma Nursing?+
Emergency Room/Trauma Nursing is CIP 51.3816 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Registered Nursing (CIP 51.38). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares registered nurses to deliver advanced, direct patient care in emergency and trauma settings. Includes instruction in advanced health assessment, pharmacology, physiology, emergency management, trauma conditions, trauma assessments and acute care.
How many institutions offer Emergency Room/Trauma Nursing programs?+
9 U.S. institutions reported Emergency Room/Trauma Nursing graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 8 states & territories, awarding 83 credentials in the year. That is 0.0% of all Registered Nursing graduates.
How much do Emergency Room/Trauma Nursing graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Registered Nurses occupation, which Emergency Room/Trauma Nursing most directly leads to, pays a median of $97,550 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Registered Nursing field report median earnings of $74,308 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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