commercial airline flight nursing

I'm a flight attendant as well as a nurse. I see this occasionally. The patients are usually accompanied by an LPN or an assistant. I haven't seen too many RNs and the patients are not critical. I've also seen crew members volunteer their free time to bring babies from third world countries to the US for care. I'm sure that commercial airlines will not accept patients who may need extraordinary care inflight since this will cause divertions.

My DH retired a year ago from commercial flying and I would add that this most likely wouldn't be a nurse employed by the airline.

trtrn,

Most definitely not. When I am flying, I can not even dispense tylenol.

[quote=FA to CRNA;3197028]trtrn,

Most definitely not. When I am flying, I can not even dispense tylenol.[/QUOTE

Once many years ago, I went on a fishing charter flight that DH was Captain for. I told the FA's I thought I should get up and help...call lights, fetch me this, fetch me that, fluff my pillow. The big difference is that I can hand out drugs, and don't get flight benefits!

heheheh,

Yes, you can hand out drugs, but can you evacuate an aircraft, which is in flames and smoke, in the water at night, within 90 seconds?

This is very interesting, how would one get a job like this?

Never had the opportunity, or need---but I'm sure I'm trainable.

Gotta hand it to flight crews, they rock, in my opinion.

When I worked as a rotor flight nurse, I would do this "on the side" on a rare occasion. It can be a brutal job depending on the demeanor and acuity of the patient.

There are companies that hire people to do this job, or associate you as a 'contractor.'

A google search might find you some opportunities, or you could market yourself as an independent provider.

Keep in mind, this job requires significant confidence with your skills, yourself, and the capacity to 'influence' people (i.e. the airlines, airport staff) who are not necessarily impressed with American, to see things 'your way.' Although workers in American airports are usually the most 'customer friendly,' staff in international airports can be downright indifferent and unfriendly sometimes.

When I say confidence with 'yourself,' I am referring to the capacity to function in a med-surg RN mode 'in public.'

fuzz0908,

Any luck with your search?

People ask me all the time why I'm not a 'flight nurse'! Hehehehe. Being a flight attendant as well as a nurse does not = flight nurse, that's why! They are totally different jobs with different responsibilities.