By James Coburn, staff writer
When life is most vulnerable, OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center is there.
Ross Skillman, RN, brings his caring spirit to work as a Level-1 trauma nurse to the Oklahoma City hospital where he witnesses many of life’s greatest challenges.
“I started in the ICU and decided that wasn’t the route I wanted to go,” Skillman said. “I had been a technician in the ER before the trauma-side of things and decided to switch in about a month. I’ve been a trauma nurse since — love it.”
Oklahoma’s leading Level-1 Trauma Center at OU Health serves as a comprehensive regional hub for trauma-related care available to all people of all ages, including children — total care for every aspect of injury.
In 2001 OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center (OU Medical Center) is distinguished by being the first level-1 trauma center in the state. Ascension St. John Medical Center in Tulsa officially became the second levcl-1 when opening its doors in 2025.
The OU trauma center responds to the worst of the worst injuries such as car and motorcycle wrecks and gunshot wounds, Skillman said. He meets people in a myriad of emotional states.
“We get the people that are having a really bad day and we’re the only ones that can help them,” he continued. “Some people come in calm and collected which is kind of a trauma response. Others will be in hysterics.”
They enter the hospital in the trauma bay. Some patients have already had surgery before the trauma nurses see them. Patients may be sedated or on their first round of pain killers. So, they’re usually not screaming before the trauma unit nurses safely and methodically care for them. Four or five trauma nurses are in the room a technician and providers.
Photos are taken of all injuries. Hemodynamic stability is assessed as well as pain level. Some patients may need to return to the OR.
Family members are reassured their loved one is being cared for. They are permitted in the trauma unit but are told things happen there that they cannot avoid seeing.
“It’s everybody coming together to make things happen,” he explained.
Skillman did not always want to become a nurse. As a boy he aspired to become an engineer. But something in medicine kept intriguing him, even after a career in petroleum engineering. Being an engineer and operations manager had him working 80 hours a week. He needed to improve his work/life balance. And, he had always felt more fulfilled when helping people who could not help themselves.
His empathy and concern for the welfare of others brought him to health care. Upon earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing at the University of Central Oklahoma in 2024, he found teamwork among the staff deepened his love of nursing. He found that many experiences shape nurses working in trauma — both successes and circumstances that do not end favorably.
“You’re impacting lives and their families and friends,” Skillman said. “Those are always growing experiences, being able to be calm in all situations and compassionate at the same time, no matter what the circumstances are.”
He found being a level-1 trauma nurse taught him that people are always stronger than they think they are. After patients or family members get past their initial shock of what has happened, people come together. So, it’s pretty impressive, Skillman said.”
While there is a national nursing shortage, there are many reasons why registered nurses find satisfaction in caring for others and learning about advances in technology for improving outcomes. And OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center is a teaching hospital on the campus of OU Health Sciences Center.
“That’s very attractive for nursing students,” he said. “There’s always more nurses coming through. I would say it’s a better environment for nurses to be in a teaching hospital.”
His career demands a calm demeanor, critical thinking skills and being able to think quickly on his feet.
Skillman has ways to wind down after his day is complete. He has an in-garage gym at home where stress is released without inviting workday stress into the house
“I let my fiancé know I’m on my way home. And, that way I’ll have some time to let my mind relax listening to some music. I get a quick 15-20 minute workout in the gym, he said.”
