Abstract
This article focuses on the trauma nurse practitioner's role with trauma patient population. Nurse practitioners are registered nurses who possess additional preparation, advanced education, and training enabling them to provide integrated quality healthcare. Trauma nurse practitioners possess a strong background in critical and emergency medicine. They are credentialed; hold full hospital privileges; have prescribing rights, including Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) licenses; and provide a high level of medical expertise and patient satisfaction (AANP 2000). Within the complex trauma team, the nurse practitioner is the consistent thread, ensuring quality patient care through communication, teaching, and follow-up care.