Nursing Studen seeking advice

Pmdc · Mar 23, 2005

From my limited experience and those that I've known, it's not impossible if you prepare. I think that many programs require 3-5 years experience of ER/Critical care to be considered for a position.

While you're working, getting that experience, consider the following:

EMT certification. Some programs require it. NREMT-P would make you look even better. You could pick up some prehospital experience with a local EMS working part-time. It won't pay as well, but you might find that it can be a great experience. You will see things that you won't get to see in the hospital, which might make you better prepared for scene flights.

Earn critical care certification, such as CCRN.

Get certified in all of the alphabet courses (ACLS, PALS, NRP, BTLS/PHTLS, TNATC, ABLS, and the list goes on and on).

Audit an ATLS course if you are able.

Make contacts within the program/s where you would eventually want to work. Many offer ride alongs and some even teach the alphabet courses mentioned above as part of their PR program.

Get the needed experience, while building a great resume. Your resume may be in a pretty tall stack with plenty of qualified candidates. Yours needs to stand out. It most likely will if you have gained all of the experience and related education. If you've made some contacts along the way, they may even be looking for yours in the stack.

That's about all I can think of. I'm sure there's plenty of people on here with more experience than me, so maybe they can add to it or give you a different point of view.

Good luck!

GN/Pmdc

snapster · Aug 30, 2005

Hi,
I am a junior 20 y/o nursing student at Thomas Jefferson University. I am going for my BSN and hope to move on to my Masters.
I am interested in critical care and I would like to be a flight nurse eventually. Everyone I talk to says that it is almost impossible to become one.
Can anyone give me any suggestions when it comes to becoming a flight nurse? Is it as impossible as everyone says?
Thanks!
JeffNursing2004

PMDC has a great response. I can tell you that a flight program is looking for all the things that PMDC spoke of in that response. But I can tell you that everything that you do prior to becomming a flight nurse is going to need to prepare you for the responsibility that comes with the teritory. If you are a go getter, than my advice is take the hard assignments while working the ICU, and the ER. Take the assignments that no one wants. Look for the challenge. You have to be self motivated. Flight nursing requires you to think independently. At 2000 feet in the air you don't call a doctor for orders, you perform and get the job done to stablize your pts. 2000 feet in the air is not the time to learn these skills!!! Don't let anyone tell you that you can not do it!! Keep stepping and eventually you will get out of the mud!! Then one day you are there! I've been flying for the last 6 years.

flyaway · Sep 7, 2005

Hi,
I am a junior 20 y/o nursing student at Thomas Jefferson University. I am going for my BSN and hope to move on to my Masters.
I am interested in critical care and I would like to be a flight nurse eventually. Everyone I talk to says that it is almost impossible to become one.
Can anyone give me any suggestions when it comes to becoming a flight nurse? Is it as impossible as everyone says?
Thanks!
JeffNursing2004

It's not impossible to become a flight nurse, however most enjoy the job so much, they stick with it. I know the hospital I work for requires RN, Paramedic, a minimum of 3 yrs ICU/ER experience, plus TNCC and other certifications. We have standing orders, policies/procedures, however to really feel comfortable in the air, you need street experience as an EMT/Paramedic and nurse, because in the air it's you, the medic, and pilot. I have 26 years nursing experience and flight nursing is great!