Flight nurse health requirements

Specialties Flight

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I was just wondered if there are any health requirements for flight nursing. Example – I am type 1 diabetic for 12 years now, in good overall health (in control no complications) would this keep me grounded?

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Specializes in ICU, ED, Transport, Home Care, Mgmnt.
I was just wondered if there are any health requirements for flight nursing. Example - I am type 1 diabetic for 12 years now, in good overall health (in control no complications) would this keep me grounded?

As long as you are in good control and good physical condition there should be no problem. The flight suits have enough pockets for you to carry power bars or glucose pills. If you can read your body well enough you can eat something on the way to what may look like a long or especially stressful call. You might try a ground Critical Care Transport service first, not because it's less stressful but because you USUALLY have a little more control over the enviornment. On long runs we would (no longer making runs) take food and potty breaks, of course no one eats or drinks in front of the patient. Can't do a 12 hour run without stopping occasionally. I never did heli but did do fixed wing. It's great wether you fly on the ground or in the air! :p

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DM should not be a problem as long as you are well controlled. Other health requirements may include weight restrictions of usually less than 200lbs. We also had to be able to carry at least 50 lbs for 100yards (or something like that!) Basically you have to be in decent shape because it can be a physically demanding job. You may have to carry a 250lb (or more) guy out of a ditch with only a couple of people to help and carry him out to the LZ. That can be pretty hard even for people in good shape. I work out pretty regularly but have found myself pretty winded after carrying a patient out of the scene. We had to have regular physicals with Occupational Health which included hearing tests (helicopters and airplanes can be pretty loud!)

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Specializes in ER, ICU, Trauma, Flight, EMS.
I was just wondered if there are any health requirements for flight nursing. Example - I am type 1 diabetic for 12 years now, in good overall health (in control no complications) would this keep me grounded?

We have a Flight medic weighing 260lbs 6'5" and wears an insulin pump, any questions?

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