A Lot of Flight Nursing Jobs

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Specializes in HEMS 6 years.

Between Airmethods and AirEvac there are close to fifty open jobs across the U.S. Does anyone else find that interesting ?

Also there are about a dozen on Flight Web..

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No surprise at all.

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Specializes in flight, critical care, ER.

Considering the level of education that is required to get into flight nursing and the crap pay that AirMethods offers a "rookie" flight nurse (who usually has 5+ years of experience)...no, not at all. Not to mention the number of accidents within the last 2 years.

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Specializes in ER, Trauma, ICU/CCU/NICU, EMS, Transport.

Actually no -that's not surprising.

What are there now, about 830 flight programs across the US?

Only 50 openings nationwide, that's a rate of 6% ???

I don't consider that extraordinary at all.

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Specializes in ED 8 yrs, Flight 2 yrs, ALS ground 3 yr.

I worked in the ER for 6 years, did ALS transports on the ground, as an RN for 3 years, and felt very lucky to get my flight job in 2007. They are not that easy to come by, even with experience. Getting a slot right out of school would be tough. I feel like my experience wasn't enough. Looking back, a couple of years in the ICU would have been great. My recommendation would be a couple of years in the ED and a couple in the ICU's. Good Luck. You'll make it.

Chris Connor RN

Flight Nurse

LifeNet Delaware

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Specializes in HEMS 6 years.

I didn't find it "extraordinary" either- just throwing out a topic for discussion. There were not that many jobs in the field 5 years ago when I started. Airmethods has over 240 bases in 40 some odd states. Rumor has it AEL is moving to fill the void in NYS left by the exodus of Stat Medevac. Yes the industry is growing; is it a good thing or not ? Someone mentioned "low... whoops... "crap pay"; why should flight nurses get more pay ? We all are not underpaid. If Airmethods doesn't pay well why does anyone work there ? 240 bases times 8 clinicians/base plus MBS... about 2160 staff...about 1320 nurses... about 12 openings...less than 1% vacancy. Airmethods must be doing something to retain staff.

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It's no surprise to me that AirEvac seems to CONSTANTLY be looking for folks to fly. Funny that just about every time I see the headline "Air Ambulance Crash" on the news, a picture of a red, white and blue Bell 206 follows. That's what happens when you use an SUV for a full-size truck's job.

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It's no surprise to me that AirEvac seems to CONSTANTLY be looking for folks to fly. Funny that just about every time I see the headline "Air Ambulance Crash" on the news, a picture of a red, white and blue Bell 206 follows. That's what happens when you use an SUV for a full-size truck's job.

Quote your source please? Many companies have been involved in HEMS accidents with fatalities. Look at the current reports regarding causes, and you will find much is related to human error rather than failure of a Bell 206. We can discuss the pitfalls of the 206 as a medical platform all day long; however, you need to back up your claim that the 206 is more dangerous than any other HEMS platform.

Let's deal with facts please. In addition, I have never worked at AEL and my employer competes with AEL in some areas, but let's keep it real.

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First of all, let me say that I mean not to offend any employee or affiliate of AEL.

Secondly, if you ever fly the 407 (which has a useful load of 2332#) fully loaded, the handling of the craft is second to none. The 206 (I've flown both), on the other hand, with a two-rotor system and useful load right at 1483#, is a weaker platform. Control surfaces lose effectiveness, and the tail rotor is a nightmare with a pilot, patient, two crew members and necessary equipment on-board.

If you fly a 206, or fly IN a 206, more power to you. I am not working to offend you here.

As far as AEL falling out of the sky, the "just about" was intended to notify the reader that there is no factual evidence, merely an opinion based on the news headlines I've seen in the last 5-6 years. Didn't mean to lead you astray. :)

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Specializes in Flight, ER, Transport, ICU/Critical Care.
first of all, let me say that i mean not to offend any employee or affiliate of ael. really?

secondly, if you ever fly the 407 (which has a useful load of 2332#) fully loaded, the handling of the craft is second to none. are you a pilot? the 206 (i've flown both), on the other hand, with a two-rotor system and useful load right at 1483#, is a weaker platform. control surfaces lose effectiveness, and the tail rotor is a nightmare with a pilot, patient, two crew members and necessary equipment on-board. wow - great review of air platform specs - you are so smart! thanks!

if you fly a 206, or fly in a 206, more power to you. i am not working to offend you here. really?

as far as ael falling out of the sky, the "just about" was intended to notify the reader that there is no factual evidence, merely an opinion based on the news headlines i've seen in the last 5-6 years. didn't mean to lead you astray. :) really?

welcome phlegm!?! :eek:

we all work toward an environment of respect here. most of the time it works. there are a lot of folks looking for info and advice and the site is visited by both experienced and newbies alike. the point - when you sprout off with inaccurate or misleading info it can confuse. bad.

i see that you joined us recently and your posting seems to be very directed.

i encourage you to find and post correct information when you list a specific program. also, if you have nothing to hide - maybe you can post your name/program when you call any other program out - that way folks can objectively consider the source and validity of your info, advice and counsel. if you have a cross to bear - there are websites that will embrace and entertain all levels of poison posts.

i am just over the p&$$&@^ contests where the - "my _____ is _____ than your_____ " nobody wins those!

all the best, fly safe!

;)

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Specializes in ED.

I don't really have "a dog in this fight," so to say, but I can back up what phlegm was saying about the 206.

I am commercial and instrument rated (did all of my hours in that aircraft) and can say that I am rather surprised that anyone would use the 206 as a medical transport platform. It really had a difficult time with more than one passenger (three people total) in taking off and landing.

The 206 has the best safety record of any turbine powered helicopter around (our squadron amassed more than 1 million Class-A mishap-free flight hours), but that doesn't make it an ideal transport helicopter.

Again, I don't know about the companies that are hiring, just wanted to add my two cents on the aircraft.

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Please, Please, Please help!

I am an ER nurse. I have been for 10 years. I am now also a Paramedic. I have been for over a year. I really, really want to fly! How do I break into this area?

I have worked abroad/overseas I am used to foreign travel. Can I get into repatriation? How do I start?

I am not afraid of hard work, but I am afraid that I am going in circles.

Anyone got any suggestions?

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