Do Registered Nurses Identify Themselves On Flights?

What Is a Flying Nurse?

A flight nurse, sometimes referred to every bit a send nurse, is an RN who is especially trained to provide medical intendance to patients during aircraft transportation. As office of a squad that unremarkably includes flight medics, physicians, and other medical providers, flight nurses board helicopters, rescue flights and more to requite medical attending to injured or ill patients in emergency situations. These nurses must keep patients stable until the aircraft arrives at the proper healthcare facility. Flight nurses work in both civilian and military environments.

Becoming a Flying Nurse

Flying nurses must first earn their nursing degree and become licensed as an RN. Beyond that, most employers want at least a few years of hands-on experience equally an RN, particularly in emergency or trauma settings. In some instances, international travel may be involved, and so prior flight feel and a valid passport may be required.

A typical flying or transport nurse job description tin can include whatsoever of the following:

Minimum of 5 years of feel in ICU/ED/Trauma
Ability to work autonomously in a bars infinite with other team members
Avant-garde critical care noesis including ventilator experience
Fitness ability for the physical requirements of the task
Ability to work varied shifts including overtime and 24/7 on-telephone call rotation
Potent leadership skills and ability to communicate and work with a multifariousness of people, oftentimes in stressful situations
Flying experience preferred

To search and employ for open up flight nurse positions, visit our job boards.

What Are the Education Requirements for Flight Nurses?

Flying nurses tin earn their nursing caste via a ii-twelvemonth ADN or 4-yr BSN plan. Upon graduating, they must pass the NCLEX-RN in order to get licensed. Some flight nurses find it valuable to continue their pedagogy by earning an MSN degree. RNs looking to interruption into flight nursing are advised to first their careers in emergency or ICU units to gain the disquisitional care feel needed to go a ship nurse.

Are Whatever Certifications or Credentials Needed?

Many healthcare employers adopt flight nurses to have a few certifications to be eligible for hire. The kickoff is the Certified Flight Registered Nurse (CFRN), which is open to RNs with unrestricted licenses. While at to the lowest degree 2 years of flight nursing feel is recommended prior to taking the examination, it is not a requirement. The CFRN credential is valid for iv years. Aside from this, flight nurses are usually expected to have the following certifications:

Basic Life Support (BLS)
Avant-garde Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
Pediatric Advanced Life Back up (PALS)
Transport Professional Advanced Trauma Grade (TPATC)
Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN) or Critical Care Nurse (CCRN) strongly preferred until CFRN certification is completed

Where Do Flight Nurses Work?

Flight nurses can work in noncombatant or armed forces environments. Noncombatant flight nurses usually work for hospitals or individual medical transport companies. They can also be employed past the federal government, burn down departments, or organizations focused on search and rescue operations. On the military side, flying nurses may work overseas or in the reserves.

What Does a Flight Nurse Practise?

Flight nurses are responsible for providing efficient quality care to patients who need to be transported via shipping. They may appraise illness or injuries and devise a plan to provide the appropriate treatment needed to go the patient to his or her destination safely. In a non-trauma state of affairs, they may collect and keep track of paperwork and physician instructions for the duration of the flight and in some cases may provide assistance to the pilot. Because medical aircraft is often utilized in emergency situations such as accidents, fires, or rescue endeavors, flight nurses must be prepared to administer kickoff assistance and ventilation procedures, help with getting patients into the aircraft, and ensure that the gurney is safely secured once inside. Once onsite at the hospital or destination, transport nurses must carefully unload patients and brief the receiving medical staff on the patient'south condition.

What Are the Roles and Duties of a Flying Nurse?

Provide firsthand medical care to patients needing air transport, including assessment, triage, and handling
Organize and maintain patient charts and paperwork
Provide first aid, insert IVs, perform resuscitation, and more en route to destination
Maintain supplies and equipment on aircraft
May assist the pilot with radio communication or other tasks
Assist in getting patients into and out of the aircraft safely
Ensure that the patient is safely secured onboard
Monitor vital signs
Communicate effectively with team members and patients

Flying Nurse Salary & Employment

Flight nurses can expect to earn between $50,161 and $95,605 annually. The median annual salary for this blazon of nurse is $68,050. Exact salary amounts depend on location, feel, and type of employer.

With nursing a growing field in general, flight nurse employment outlook is skilful. While there isn't a huge amount of turnover with this type of position, new individual companies are emerging and looking to rent nurses into the specialty. Nurses who enjoy providing emergency intendance and want a more dynamic environment than a hospital or medical office will exist successful in send nursing.

Helpful Organizations, Societies, and Agencies

Air & Surface Transport Nurses Association
Association of Air Medical Services
Air Medical Periodical

Flying Nurse FAQs

What Are Some of the Rubber Risks as a Flight Nurse?

Considering flight nurses often respond to trauma/emergencies, one of the start rubber precautions they need to exist cognizant of is the environment. For example, when responding to a motor vehicle blow, flying nurses must ensure there are no gas or oil leaks or fires. They likewise need to make certain that when patients are extracted from vehicles, they are safe from metal and glass debris that may injure them. Another example is a rescue in a remote expanse. Flight nurses need to appraise for ice, wetness, and loose gravel. They must also be dressed appropriately based on the weather condition and situation, and have methods of communication.

The actual flight itself can be risky. Flight nurses are called in at any time - pelting or shine, fog or thunderstorms, and nighttime or day. Visibility is a factor for pilots and can present a safety gamble. Turbulence tin can brand it challenging to provide intendance as well, and flight nurses should ensure equipment and patients are secured. Luckily, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has safety preparation bachelor for pilots and medical responders to enhance rubber awareness. Continuous communication, environmental awareness, and preparedness are the cornerstones for flight nurse safety.