Can I handle transport nursing?

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Specializes in Emergency, Pediatric ICU.

Hi everyone!

I have applied and interviewed for ground transport nursing. The only concern I have is that I sometimes get motion sickness. I've been on transports and generally do OK if I ride in the front of the truck enroute to the patient. There is a chance we could start flying also and I've never been in a helicopter before so I have no idea how i'd do. Usually Dramamine works fairly well for me in the car. It is what I really want to do. I would hate for my motion sickness to keep me from doing it yet I do not want to be miserable in my job. Any thoughts or suggestions? TIA!

Mandy RN CEN

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Specializes in OB/GYN, Peds, School Nurse, DD.
Hi everyone!

I have applied and interviewed for ground transport nursing. The only concern I have is that I sometimes get motion sickness. I've been on transports and generally do OK if I ride in the front of the truck enroute to the patient. There is a chance we could start flying also and I've never been in a helicopter before so I have no idea how i'd do. Usually Dramamine works fairly well for me in the car. It is what I really want to do. I would hate for my motion sickness to keep me from doing it yet I do not want to be miserable in my job. Any thoughts or suggestions? TIA!

Mandy RN CEN

I would think this might be a deal-breaker. I was offered the opportunity to do transport a few years ago and I asked if I could please try a test-run. Oy~:down: Not pretty. I didn't throw up but I was nearly green with nausea. It really disabled me--i thought I was gonna puke any minute. The hospital wouldn't allow ithe use of dramamine or other anti-emetics due to potential for sedation. And truly, dramamine would put me under the table. I had to walk away from that job.

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.

dh is a transport nurse, and i've asked him your question. he was a pilot in viet nam (i know that ages me) so motion sickness isn't a problem for him. he says that motion sickness might be a deal breaker. dramamine may make you too drowsy to do your job, and the nurse always rides in the back. if cars make you sick, helicopters, which move in three dimensions (sometimes all at the same time) will probably make you sicker. on the other hand, there are some in-house transport jobs out there, and maybe one of them is for you.

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I have terrible motion sickness and I fly. You need to talk with your doctor about options. Any medication that alters your ability to think and act will make you a threat in the aviation environment and will disqualify you as a crew member. Therefore, sedating antihistamines are out. However, if you are willing to pay, Zofran tablets are an option. Antivert is another option.

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Bonine (meclizine) is available OTC and is non sedating--you might try it. But as a former paramedic/RN, I suggest you ride along for several shifts to be sure that this is the job for you. I used to have hospital RN's that wanted to be an EMT but after a few transports said no thanks. I used to get car/air sick too--on my first transport I was ready to take the O2 off the pt and use it on myself! Facing backwards in the jump seat made it worse. Sitting sideways on the bench helped.

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Specializes in Flight, ER, Transport, ICU/Critical Care.

Good Luck on the interview/selection process and getting excited about a new area of nursing.

Unfortunately, no matter how good someone is at something OR how much they want to do something - on occasions it does come down to other "factors". If you have a history of motion sickness and varying success with it's control - you may find that transport is NOT for you.

You have to be as close to 100% everyday, with every patient. You are responsible to your team and a patient. There is no tolerance for error and depending on medications that have the risk of "drowsiness" (even ODT Zofran) is not a good option or possibly even a banned activity. Anything that takes your head "out of the game" is not going to work well for you or those that depend on you.

Your life is on the line with every transport. Flight adds a higher risk factor.

You owe it to yourself to "see" - too sick to be fully present and capable and able to master your practice and maintain 100% situational awareness - it just may not be your thing.

FYI - I used to get wicked bad motion sick in a car - and I did great in the aircraft, no problems. So - you never know till you try.

Just be frank and realistic about your ability, health and concerns.

IF you are just sitting with cool air blowing on you and a wet rag on your face - all green - YOU are not contributing to the team and, at the point of loss of ability to fully function, I direct you to go OOS. Sorry - just is what it is.

Good Luck!

;)

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Specializes in Emergency Medicine.

If you have motion sickness sorry, this is NOT the job for you.

The crew compartment of an ambulance rides directly over the axle. You will feel every movement and every ride will make you ill.

I worked CCT with AMR for quite some time. I saw people... good people come and go. It will get you. Me, I have slept upright riding in a tank over rough terrain. It's no problem for me. Here's one of my former "ambulances".

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Had a buddy go through all the medicines before he dropped it. It took getting blurred vision and hallucinations while using scopolamine patches. Nope, had to go. Not good for you, worse for your patients.

Go for it. You can always give it a try. One of the best jobs in nursing I ever worked.

Best of luck.

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Specializes in Emergency, Pediatric ICU.

Thank you everyone for the great input. I'm still thinking about it. I may give it a try and see. The unit I work in would be able to offer me my job back. Probably not the same shift ( I work WEO) but at least I know I have something to fall back on if it didn't work out. I'll let you know what I decide.

EmergencyNrse-love the ambulance picture!!!

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I totally disagree with people who say it's not possible. Using the right medicatios such as dissolving Zofran tablets, it may be possible to fly. I cannot even get In a swing without promptly developing motion sickness, yet I have been flying for nearly four years.

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Specializes in ICU/ER/Flight.

I work with a crewmember who is prone to air sickness, she pops a zofran on the "bumpy" days and does fine.

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Specializes in ED, Flight.

I wouldn't have believed it if Gila hadn't said it. But I trust him and his experience, so it may be worth a try.

In the army I always got queazy in vehicles. Never had a problem in flight. Over time, I found I adjusted to some or all vehicles; so I don't hesitate now.

You just might adapt with a few exposures and the right med. Try something really simple at first like some ginger in your mouth (I like the jelled candies) while riding. Do a few ride-alongs.

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Specializes in Emergency, Pediatric ICU.

Thanks once again everyone for all the great input. I really appreciate it. I'm still thinking about it but leaning towards taking the position. I owe to it myself to at least try it. I actually took a Meclizine today just to see if it made me sleepy and I really feel no different at all. I'll let you know the final decison, should know in the next day or two.

Mandy RN CEN

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