June 27, 2026
In 2023, Mayo Clinic pediatric trauma leadership introduced the Pediatric Trauma Care Across the Continuum (PTACC) course to address a critical gap in pediatric trauma education. This effort addresses the need for structured training beyond initial trauma resuscitation. Developed through collaboration between the Society of Trauma Nurses and pediatric trauma leaders nationwide, PTACC represents a significant investment in nurse development and in the families who depend on Mayo Clinic for high‑quality pediatric trauma care following injury.
Course growth and participation
Since its launch at Mayo Clinic's campus in Rochester, Minnesota, PTACC has expanded steadily. To date, the program has provided:
- 149 total nurses trained, including:
- 127 PICU nurses.
- 20 general care floor nurses.
- 2 external nurses, supported through collaboration with Continuing Nursing Education.
- 4 courses offered annually.
The next offering — the ninth PTACC course at Mayo Clinic — will take place in September 2026. Mayo Clinic Trauma Center remains the only trauma center in Minnesota currently offering PTACC, underscoring its leadership in advancing pediatric trauma education across the region.
Who should attend
Any nurse caring for pediatric trauma patients in the inpatient setting is an appropriate candidate for PTACC, says Todd M. Emanuel, R.N., program manager for the Mayo Clinic Pediatric Trauma Center. This includes pediatric ICU nurses, general pediatric floor nurses and nurses at regional centers who routinely care for children after injury.
Jenna L. Savage, M.S.N., R.N., a nursing education specialist at Mayo Clinic's campus in Minnesota, has coordinated the course since its introduction, in collaboration with the pediatric trauma program manager. Savage emphasizes that PTACC is not intended as an introductory orientation for new nurses. Instead, it is designed for those who have already gained experience at the bedside and can apply course content to real‑world situations they have encountered.
"The course is meant for nurses who have spent time working with patients and can connect what they learn to cases they've already seen," Savage explains.
Achieving training milestones
At Mayo Clinic's Rochester campus, PTACC leadership set a goal to train all pediatric ICU (PICU) nurses within their first year of employment. That milestone has now been achieved. Participants in the spring 2026 PTACC course began working at Mayo Clinic in October 2025. This demonstrates the program's integration into early professional development for PICU nurses.
Expanding access and instructor development
Emanuel encourages trauma professionals across the region to recommend PTACC to nurses who meet the course criteria, regardless of their home institution. For medical centers with larger numbers of pediatric inpatient nurses, Mayo Clinic Pediatric Trauma Center leaders are open to discussing on-site delivery of PTACC, allowing the course to be hosted regionally when appropriate.
"We're happy to talk with centers that have a high volume of pediatric trauma patients and explore bringing the course to them," Emanuel says.
Although the current instructor team is sufficient, Emanuel notes that any nurse who has taken or plans to take PTACC and is identified as instructor potential may pursue the Society of Trauma Nurses instructor training to teach the course in the future. This pathway supports long-term sustainability and regional capacity building.
Course format and learning experience
PTACC requires minimal equipment and blends interactive lectures with hands-on skill stations. These stations focus on essential trauma care skills, including:
- Chest tube management.
- Wound care.
- Cervical collar application.
- Spinal precautions.
Because these skills require tactile practice and real-time feedback, the course is not offered online.
"An important part of PTACC is that it is in person and interactive, with case studies that lead to discussion throughout the course," Savage says.
At Mayo Clinic, the course is held in the Medical Complex Northwest, which offers convenient parking and a small cafeteria for attendees.
Feedback from participants
Thus far, feedback on PTACC has been positive. Savage notes that course leaders initially wondered how experienced nurses — those with decades of pediatric trauma care — would respond.
"We found these experienced nurses excited because they saw the gap in education for pediatric trauma care beyond the trauma bay," she says. "They were especially grateful to see the PTACC course available for new nurses."
This response highlights the course's value not only as a training tool but also as a unifying educational framework across experience levels.
Future directions for PTACC
Savage and Emanuel are committed to advancing learner-centered, interactive pediatric trauma education by enhancing case-based learning and discussion. To support engagement during longer didactic sessions, they are introducing "focus boxes" equipped with sensory tools.
"Not everyone learns the same, and we recognize that sitting in a lecture setting can be difficult. A focus box would allow you to grab a fidget, a stress ball or even a piece of gum to keep your brain moving during the course," Savage explains.
In addition, PTACC leadership hopes to expand to other hospitals to increase access to high-quality pediatric trauma education. Leadership also hopes to collaborate with the Society of Trauma Nurses to help define a refresher course model for certification renewal at four years. Savage notes that these efforts reflect a continued commitment to innovation and continuous improvement in trauma education.