America’s Nurses Interview – Flight Nurse

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What is a Flight Nurse?

A flight nurse career is relational to a trauma nursing job except that much of the medical care is in an emergency situation that requires the patient to be transported in a plane or helicopter. The flight nurse usually had training in a trauma unit on the ground, since they usually take on long-term care in the absence of a physician. The flight nurse must be prepared to take care of all of the pre-hospital care of patients including starting IV’s, drawing blood, bandaging wounds, and making the patient comfortable over what could be a long trip to a ground facility. At times, a paramedic, or physician can accompany him or her. The flight nurse is also responsible for making sure the plane or helicopter is sufficiently supplied with the equipment and tools needed during a possible emergency flight. They must also make sure that the air transport is as sterile as possible.

Education

In order to become a flight nurse, you must have at least a BSN (Bachelor Science in Nursing) or an MSN (Master of Science in Nursing) degree. They must also have significant experience as a trauma nurse in a hospital or medical facility. Some of the courses needed are neonatal resuscitation, pediatric advanced life support, cardiac life support, and pre-hospital trauma life support. In most cases, they must also have a minimum experience of at least five years in an ICU, ER, or other care based hospital setting. It is also beneficial to have a membership with the Emergency Nurses Association or by taking the Certified Flight RN exam.

Another way to get experience as a flight nurse is through the military. There is fierce competition and flight positions in the military are somewhat rare, so someone wanting to pursue this should have a back-up plan in case the positions are not always available. It is a highly prestigious position and the current statistics show over 3,800 nurses in the Air Force with only 200 authorizations for flight nurses.

Flight- Related Expectations

There are some skills that a flight nurse must learn other than just medical training. Though, it may vary from facility to facility, these are requirements generally needed to get the job. First of all, there is usually a weight limit of 220 pounds maximum in your flight suit with your helmet and radio. You may also be able to lift and carry heavy loads, which can be difficult in a Nomex flight suit. Lifting and carrying heavy loads requires a lot of stamina and be in good physical condition. It is also expected that the flight nurse work as a team with the other medical staff. Being a flight nurse requires getting along with others and being able to communicate effectively with the rest of the care team. If the weather is bad, the flight nurse will have the right to report the weather as dangerous and abort the mission.

Important Things to Remember

According to AllNurses.com, here are some things to remember about becoming a flight nurse:

•I am a nurse, not a pilot.
•When it comes to aviation or medicine, apathy is dangerous.
•Have situational awareness.
•Have a sterile cockpit when appropriate.
•Weather minimums are relative.
•I feel safer working in a helicopter than I do flying as a passenger on a commercial airline.
•When I go to work and we brief, everyone is on the same page.
•If I don’t like the weather, there is a vibration I didn’t feel before, there is a strange smell and no one will fess up, or a chip light flickers in a way I don’t like: I have the authority (as does the medic) to abort the mission.

A Flight Nurse Summary

Becoming a flight nurse requires a lot of training in trauma nursing and an extensive education, which can include a BSN or MSN as a minimum. The flight nurse should have several years of experience working in an ER or trauma center. There is also a lot of flight-related training and vocabulary he or she should know before boarding an aircraft. The flight nurse must have stamina for carrying heavy objects and supplies and must be able to think quickly on his or her feet. There are also teamwork and dedication, as not every flight will be easy. Most of all, the flight nurse must have a personality capable of offering reassurance and comfort to the patient and the family while transferring them to a hospital or trauma center. If you are near a facility that has a program offered, you may ask to ride along to see if this is really what you want to do.