Destined to Be a Flight Nurse

Specialties Flight

Published

About eight months ago, I decided that I would like to be a flight nurse. I currently have a BSN and am BLS, ACLS and PALS certified. I was a CNA for 10 yrs and have been an RN for almost six yrs in April. I worked at an LTACH for four yrs, brain injury/general rehab for one yr, and just got my foot in the door in MS/Neuro ICU in October 2018.

I had an extended orientation in the ICU because I needed to improve my prioritization and time management skills. With three weeks left in the said "extended orientation," my manager and supervisor decided that I should transfer to a Med Surge/Progressive Care unit to work on the aforementioned skills and then see if I would like to rejoin the ICU team (~6 months).

With that said, I respect their professional feedback, but feel like if I would have had the opportunity to complete the remaining orientation, I would have improved those skills. My preceptors had told me they could see the improvement since I started orientation. A few also told me that it took a long time for them to build a routine.

So, I will interview for a position on the progressive care unit, which I shadowed. But, with wanting to be a flight nurse, I know I have a lot of work ahead of me and have many questions on which route I should pursue. I need critical care experience and am wondering if I should apply for an ED position or a different ICU position at another facility?

I know that different FFL companies require different certifications and having them increases your chance of qualifying for a position; so, should I try to complete some of them now (e.g., Paramedic)? Should I go back to school for my MSN? If so, which program? Is there one that is geared towards flight nursing? I do not know what I should do or where I should start with so much ahead of me. Any feedback or personal experiences would be greatly appreciated.

Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.
17 minutes ago, murseman24 said:

The best ICU nurses go on to become CRNAs

What an insulting and unfounded statement. Lemme guess, you're a future CRNA?

9 Votes
Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

As you further your career (in whatever area) it will become more evident to you where your future lies. Best wishes with your choices.

1 Votes
Specializes in anesthesiology.
8 minutes ago, klone said:

What an insulting and unfounded statement. Lemme guess, you're a future CRNA?

Insulting, how? Not unfounded. CRNA school by far has the highest entry requirements in regard to GPA and clinical experience of any APRN

0 Votes
Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.

I did not say or imply that CRNA programs are not rigorous. I was disputing your statement that the best ICU nurses all go on to become CRNAs. As if that is just the natural progression of an ICU nurse.

7 Votes
Specializes in anesthesiology.
3 minutes ago, klone said:

As if that is just the natural progression of an ICU nurse.

Not ALL, just the very best ;)

0 Votes
Specializes in SICU, trauma, neuro.
1 hour ago, murseman24 said:

Not ALL, just the very best ;)

Some of the best stay at the ICU bedside because they love it... just saying.

10 Votes
Specializes in CCRN.
7 hours ago, murseman24 said:

Insulting, how? Not unfounded. CRNA school by far has the highest entry requirements in regard to GPA and clinical experience of any APRN

That doesn’t mean all *the best* ICU nurses want to be one ??. That’s pretty insulting, but you may just not be seeing it from a different perspective. (This is coming from someone who knows lots of amazing veteran ICU nurses with no intention of CRNA school. AND several amazing ICU nurses who decided to go back for something other than CRNA.) Some of our worst (because they were only book smart, no common sense) nurses went on to CRNA school. It’s not just the smarts that make people great nurses.

But what do I know?

Anyway, I feel like this may stray off topic, and that’s not really fair to the original post writer. I just couldn’t let you think of *the best* people who stay in the icu like that. Besides that, I think you’re enjoying getting under everyone’s skin.

3 Votes
Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

You must walk before you fly, grasshopper. :D Wait, grasshoppers don't fly ... those are locusts! But seriously ... knowing a lot of wonderful flight nurses, keep your sights set on critical care. Don't worry about MSN or paramedic right now. Best of luck!

2 Votes
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
14 hours ago, murseman24 said:

Not ALL, just the very best ;)

No, the very best ICU nurses stay at the bedside to take care of ICU patients. Some very book smart nurses go on to become CRNAs, but as the an experienced preceptor in a SICU that seems to be a feeder unit for two CRNA schools, I have reason to know that it isn't always the best nurses who go to anesthesia school. In fact, some of them are incompetent. Some have high IQs and great test-taking ability but no common sense or critical thinking. Some nurses who have gotten accepted into anesthesia school are lazy as bedside nurses and their patients are left dirty for hours while they sit at the desk perusing Facebook. Some future CRNAs in my ACLS classes flunked even the kinder, gentler ACLS. (And then asked me for a recommendation to anesthesia school.). There are former colleagues who have managed to graduate from anesthesia school who scare me silly.

5 Votes
Specializes in CCRN.
1 hour ago, Ruby Vee said:

No, the very best ICU nurses stay at the bedside to take care of ICU patients. Some very book smart nurses go on to become CRNAs, but as the an experienced preceptor in a SICU that seems to be a feeder unit for two CRNA schools, I have reason to know that it isn't always the best nurses who go to anesthesia school. In fact, some of them are incompetent. Some have high IQs and great test-taking ability but no common sense or critical thinking. Some nurses who have gotten accepted into anesthesia school are lazy as bedside nurses and their patients are left dirty for hours while they sit at the desk perusing Facebook. Some future CRNAs in my ACLS classes flunked even the kinder, gentler ACLS. (And then asked me for a recommendation to anesthesia school.). There are former colleagues who have managed to graduate from anesthesia school who scare me silly.

I would say SOME of the best continue on to other things, too ?.

1 Votes
Specializes in anesthesiology.
14 hours ago, rn409 said:

Besides that, I think you’re enjoying getting under everyone’s skin.

Only slightly

0 Votes
Specializes in anesthesiology.
7 hours ago, Ruby Vee said:

No, the very best ICU nurses stay at the bedside to take care of ICU patients. Some very book smart nurses go on to become CRNAs, but as the an experienced preceptor in a SICU that seems to be a feeder unit for two CRNA schools, I have reason to know that it isn't always the best nurses who go to anesthesia school. In fact, some of them are incompetent. Some have high IQs and great test-taking ability but no common sense or critical thinking. Some nurses who have gotten accepted into anesthesia school are lazy as bedside nurses and their patients are left dirty for hours while they sit at the desk perusing Facebook. Some future CRNAs in my ACLS classes flunked even the kinder, gentler ACLS. (And then asked me for a recommendation to anesthesia school.). There are former colleagues who have managed to graduate from anesthesia school who scare me silly.

Okay, all joking aside, the ICU becomes a drag after a while. All the triples, all the protocols, eventually the learning stops. There are "better" jobs that many go into that don't involve graduate school. Organ donation, dialysis, etc. all have some great former ICU nurses who were tired of getting worked to the bone and want better working conditions with higher pay.

Rest assured, anesthesia requires plenty of critical thinking and "common sense." Quick thinking under high pressure situations while accepting the burden for blame as there is no one to ask for a second opinion, doctor to take the fall for you, or protocol to follow is quite the exercise in critical thinking. The surgeon doesn't know the answer, and there is no one else in the room who knows what to do.

ACLS is a logarithm, there isn't anything inherently difficult in following it. We all have anecdotal experience with incompetent providers. I'm sure there are cardiothoracic surgeons who appeared lazy at one point or did something dumb. There are good and bad in every profession, just listen to the Dr. Death podcast. Anesthesia requires a great deal of critical thinking with incomplete information without a clear answer, and requires excellent judgement along with a good amount of technical skill and procedural competence.

0 Votes
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