Fixed Wing or Heli

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Hello all,

I have been an ER nurse for two years. I am currently on a travel assignment in the US virgin Islands. After this, or as soon as my experience will let I would love to start doing some flight nursing. After this assignment I will be living in an area that is two hours from New Orleans and about three hours from Houston. To start I am not picky on what I do. It can be scheduled fixed wing BlS type stuff or it can be critical care prehospital stuff. What are my options. My two thoughts are:

1. Work for a rural area where I would do some sort of shift work? This would potentially allow me to drive or fly back and forth. Anyone know of anything like this? I heard of a company who did NiCU flights across country. They worked

Something like three days on and five off. They could live anywhere as long as it was near a major airport. NICU isn't my specialty but this type of thing is what I am looking for.

2. Or something that would allow me to fly to assignments when they are scheduled. Example: Pop broke his hip in France... Can you pick him up in three days? Then I could just fly to wherever the plane is and go From there.

Help?

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I am not from you area but my company has 2 bases in houston that does rotor. Our schedules are 24 on, 24 off, 24 on and 5 days off with 2 on call days every 28 days. typically companies want at least 3 years critical care experience with specialty trauma certifications. As for what option to choose its a matter of what you think would suit you best. fixed wing are longer transports and you can have either really sick patients or really easy patients. On rotor most of the time you still have to do a lot of inter-facility transports. Most companies wont make you do NICU transports unless you have experience in that field. Hope this info helps

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I am not from you area but my company has 2 bases in houston that does rotor. Our schedules are 24 on, 24 off, 24 on and 5 days off with 2 on call days every 28 days. typically companies want at least 3 years critical care experience with specialty trauma certifications. As for what option to choose its a matter of what you think would suit you best. fixed wing are longer transports and you can have either really sick patients or really easy patients. On rotor most of the time you still have to do a lot of inter-facility transports. Most companies wont make you do NICU transports unless you have experience in that field. Hope this info helps

Thanks. I realize that the last post was almost two years ago but I have been working and obtaining more certifications and I was wondering if your still doing RW? If so, what company is it with that is in Houston? I now have four years of experience, ACLS, PALS, TNCC, ENPC and I am actually in NP school. How far would you drive for a shift? I am about 3.5 hours from Houston. Is it worth it? Are the people who are getting jobs having 10+ years experience or is it more like 5 years? Any help would be appreciated. Feel free to e-mail me at [email protected] Thanks so much.

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Specializes in Trauma 4yr Flight 8mn.

If your in NP school, it would be a waste of your education to start flying. Not to mention a huge cut in pay...

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