Commercial Arline Flight Nursing

Has anyone heard of a nursing position in which you accompany people who are sick, on major airlines to hospitals all over the world to receive treatment? :nurse:

12 Answers

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.

Specializes in L & D; Postpartum.
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.

Specializes in L & D; Postpartum.
FA to CRNA said:

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

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? :yeah:

Specializes in Flight Nurse, Pedi CICU, IR, Adult CTICU.

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.'

Well, since I am one of those people always looking for specifics, not ambiguities , try checking out these links. I have sent out feelers to both companies, can't comment yet on working with either of them, but a concrete "look here" may help anyone not familiar with the medical transport industry by giving them a starting point.

https://flyingnurses.com/

Specializes in Critical Care.

There are companies out there that are medivac flights on fixed wing crafts. You are a flight nurse and do transport patients from amjor airports to relocate them to different facilities. Usually though the company owns these planes and they are leer jets and such. You can pass meds, start IV's, transport vents extra. The planes are really cool, they are converted inside with whats called a medpack. and its basically a stretcher that latches and buckles in instead of seats. Check out website ccmedflight.com

I need to see about finding a nurse to fly my mother out from Lemoore, Ca via Fresno airport to Savannah, Ga. She's in a skilled nursing facility there. My sister left her there and I want her here with me. I may go myself but if I can get someone to do this, I may opt that instead. Not sure if the airlines can handle this as she is dementia/Alzheimer. Anyone have any ideas on this?

I am a nurse and had to put in 2 months advance notice to get the time off to do this.

I can't go until first week of October. She's alone. I want her here with family, asap.

Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks.

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

Specializes in L & D; Postpartum.
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? :yeah:

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

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

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.

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