How to Become a Flight Nurse: Training & Salary Details
Summary:
Overview
A Flight Nurse: What Is It?
Flight Nurse Responsibilities
The abilities needed for flight nursing
Qualifications for Education
Acquiring the Role of Registered Nurse (RN)
Obtaining a Nursing Bachelor’s Degree (BSN)
Acquiring Experience in Clinical Practice
Required Certifications for Flight Nursing
CFRN, or Certified Flight Registered Nurse
Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) and Basic Life Support (BLS)
Advanced Life Support for Pediatrics (PALS)
Training Particularly for Flight Nurses
Training in Aeromedical Physiology
Training for Survival
Training in Critical Care
Career Types for Flight Nurses
Flight nurses who are civilians
Flight Nurses in the Military
Flight Nurses Work Where?
How to Get Flight Nursing Experience
Expectations for Flight Nurse Salary
Factors Influencing the Pay of Flight Nurses
Level of Experience
Location in Space
Type of Employer
Benefits and Drawbacks of Working as a Flight Nurse
How to Train to Become a Flight Nurse
In conclusion
FAQs
Overview
Have you ever envisioned yourself giving life-saving medical attention while thousands of feet in the air? If so, a career as a flight nurse might be ideal for you! Critical care during air transport is provided by highly qualified medical professionals known as flight nurses. The schooling, training, and expected remuneration for this fascinating vocation will be explained in this guide.
A Flight Nurse: What Is It?
A registered nurse (RN) with expertise in delivering emergency medical care while in flight is known as a flight nurse. They operate helicopters or aircraft to move seriously injured or unwell patients between hospitals or from disaster scenes.
Flight Nurse Responsibilities
When it comes to patient care during transportation, flight nurses are essential. Among their duties are:
Stabilizing and evaluating patients
Giving prescription drugs and therapies
Using life-supporting devices
Speaking with the medical teams on the ground
Handling emergencies while in flight
The abilities needed for flight nursing
In order to be a successful flight nurse, you must:
Excellent critical thinking abilities
Capacity to function under pressure
Outstanding ability to communicate
endurance and physical stamina
competence in trauma and emergency care
Qualifications for Education
Acquiring the Role of Registered Nurse (RN)
Getting a nursing license is the first step towards working as a flight nurse. You need to pass the NCLEX-RN exam and get either an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
Obtaining a Nursing Bachelor’s Degree (BSN)
Because a BSN offers further training, many firms favor applicants with this degree when hiring flight nurses.
Acquiring Experience in Clinical Practice
At least three to five years of critical care or emergency nursing experience is required for the majority of flight nursing posts.
Required Certifications for Flight Nursing
CFRN, or Certified Flight Registered Nurse
Flight nurses are strongly encouraged to obtain this qualification, which is provided by the Board of Qualification for Emergency Nursing (BCEN).
Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) and Basic Life Support (BLS)
These credentials guarantee that nurses are capable of managing life-threatening situations.
Advanced Life Support for Pediatrics (PALS)
For flight nurses who carry pediatric patients, PALS certification is necessary.
Training Particularly for Flight Nurses
Training in Aeromedical Physiology
Nurses who receive this training are better able to comprehend the effects of altitude on human health.
Training for Survival
Emergency landing procedures in remote areas are taught to flight nurses.
Training in Critical Care
To improve their ability to manage complicated medical conditions, many flight nurses take critical care training.
Career Types for Flight Nurses
Flight nurses who are civilians
Hospitals, private air ambulance services, or governmental organizations use civilian flight nurses.
Flight Nurses in the Military
Military flight nurses care for service members in conflict zones while serving in the Air Force or other branches of the armed forces.
Flight Nurses Work Where?
Flight nurses are employed in:
Air transport teams in hospitals
Private air ambulance services
Operations related to search and rescue
Units for military medical evacuation
How to Get Flight Nursing Experience
Work in a trauma center, emergency room, or intensive care unit
Watch a seasoned flight nurse in action.
Enroll in aeromedical training programs.
Expectations for Flight Nurse Salary
Depending on geography and expertise, the average flight nurse income varies from $75,000 to $120,000 annually.
Factors Influencing the Pay of Flight Nurses
Level of Experience
Flight nurses with more experience are paid more.
Location in Space
Demand and local cost of living have an impact on salaries.
Type of Employer
Compared to hospital-based transport teams, private air ambulance providers could offer more compensation.
Benefits and Drawbacks of Working as a Flight Nurse
Advantages:
A stimulating and dynamic workplace
high potential salary
A chance to save lives
Cons:
emotionally and physically taxing
Extended and erratic hours
exposure to severe weather
How to Train to Become a Flight Nurse
Obtain an ADN or BSN to work as an RN.
Get at least three to five years of emergency or critical care nursing experience.
Obtain the CFRN, BLS, ACLS, and PALS certifications that are required.
Finish your survival and aeromedical training.
Start your career by applying for flight nursing roles!
In conclusion
A lucrative and demanding vocation that blends critical care nursing and aviation is becoming a flight nurse. You can start an amazing adventure saving lives from the skies if you have the necessary training, expertise, and certifications.
FAQs
What is the duration of training to become a flight nurse?
Including schooling, licensure, and experience, it usually takes 6–8 years.
Are paramedics required to be flight nurses?
No, however, for extra abilities, some flight nurses have received paramedic training.
A new registered nurse can work as a flight nurse?.
No, the majority of organizations demand three to five years of experience in critical care.
What dangers come with working as a flight nurse?
Turbulence, severe weather, and contact with infectious diseases are among the risks.
Is a job in flight nursing a good fit?
Yes, if you like doing life-saving, high-intensity medical work in a special environment.