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Pediatric Care After Resuscitation

PCAR Program Description

Through instruction and advocacy, the mission of TCAR Education Programs is to expand the knowledge base and clinical reasoning skills of nurses who work with injured patients anywhere along the trauma continuum of care, particularly in the post-resuscitation phase. By partnering with trauma centers and trauma systems, TCAR Education Programs provides adult and pediatric inpatient nurses an outstanding learning experience designed to meet educational goals, improve patient outcomes, and fulfill regulatory requirements.

PCAR is the pediatric-specific version of the adult focused TCAR course, ideal for nurses who primarily or exclusively care for children. The PCAR course offers acute care, critical care, perioperative, and rehabilitation nurses the foundational, evidence-based information and critical thinking skills necessary to address the needs of the hospitalized, injured child. PCAR covers a wide range of pathophysiologic and nursing concepts and is designed to be a broad, core-level program, rather than an advanced or specialty-specific course. Although registered nurses are PCAR's target audience.

The information contained in this program has proven useful to physical therapists, paramedics, social workers, dieticians, respiratory therapists, speech and occupational therapists, LVNs/LPNs, and others who interact with pediatric trauma inpatients.

Course Brochure
[click to download]
PCAR Course Contents
PART 1

Participants focus on concepts relevant to the nursing care of the injured, hospitalized patient:

PART 2

Learners participate in interactive, expanding case scenarios that address the needs of hospitalized patients with injuries to major body systems. Each module introduces specific trauma care concepts including pathophysiology, patient assessment, and complications. Surgical, medical, and nursing management options and outcome criteria are introduced while analyzing children with:

Each interactive expanding case scenario promotes critical thinking, knowledge synthesis, and clinical reasoning skills by inviting learners to:

Continuing Education Hours

Continuing education contact hours are provided through Visionem, a provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider Number CEP 15483. In order to receive nursing contuing education contact hours learners must:

1. Attend:

  • 1 full day (7 contact hours)
  • 2 full days (14 contact hours)

2. Complete an online evaluation

Class Costs

Like TNCC or ATCN, TCAR/PCAR costs are initially calculated on a per-student basis–but there's a LOT more flexibility within the TCAR Education Programs cost model. We designed it that way to allow each organization to select the option that works best for them. Similar to other courses, the TCAR/PCAR general registration charge is $335/learner or $295/learner for employees or members of the hosting organization. However, substantial discounts ($25 or more per learner) apply for classes with more than 25, 50 or 100 participants. To customize your own pricing scenario, use the Class Cost Planning Calculator to try out various cost options.

Importantly, TCAR/PCAR charges are ALL INCLUSIVE–there are no hidden or additional fees, which makes budgeting easy. And, because we do most of the work for you, many hours of your valuable time will not be spent on class preparation, registration, money handling, or follow-up.

See the FAQ page for detailed information.

PCAR Learner Outcomes

By the end of the class, participants will be able to:

  • Describe the trauma continuum of care.
  • Explain the biomechanics of common injuries.
  • Anticipate specific wounds and complications based on mechanism of injury information
  • Discuss the body's multisystem responses to traumatic insults
  • Incorporate physical assessment, imaging studies, and laboratory data to evaluate the hospitalized trauma patient
  • Describe appropriate medial, surgical, and nursing interventions for frequently encountered injuries
  • Interact with interdisciplinary team members to provide timely care to injured patients
  • Prevent, identify, and manage complications common to the hospitalized trauma patient
  • Identify realistic trauma patient goals and evaluate care outcomes
  • Address the psychosocial needs of hospitalized trauma patients and their family members
How to Host a Class

TCAR Education Programs takes the pain out of planning and managing trauma nursing and outreach education programs. All you need to do is:

  • Pick 2 consecutive class dates. The more notice you give students and their managers, the better attendance will be; 4-6 months is optimal. A TCAR or PCAR class is two 8.5 hour days e.g., 8AM to 4:30PM.
  • Book a room with an LCD projector, a large projection screen, and a writing surface for each student, preferably an auditorium. No breakout rooms are needed.
  • Provide TCAR Education Programs your class details and we’ll develop brochures, draw up a contract, and open online registration.
  • Spread the word to get an audience of at least 25 students. We’ll help you find attendees outside your facility if you don’t have enough of your own. There is no maximum class size.
  • Arrange for any food or beverages you choose to offer.