flight nurse

[unknownfuture]

i just graduated highschool, i was just browsing the internet for careers ideas, and a flight nurse sounds like it'd be so much fun. i was hoping someone could tell me what its like, what you do, what school you went to, who you work for, that kind of stuff. i'm just trying to get as much information on the field as possible, so i have an idea of what i might be getting myself into....:)

[nursegreen]

To be honest with you, you are a long way from being a flight nurse. Our flight program (as well as most others) require you to have worked a minimal of five years in an ED or a critical care setting. You need the experience before you can apply the critical thinking skills needed to make the decisions you will need to make in the air. I think what you need to ask yourself first is if you want to be a nurse. If your answer is yes, then I think you should go for it. Enroll in an accredited nursing program, get the best grades that you can (because nursing is very competitive), and then after you finish your first semester of nursing school you can work as a nurse tech in an ED if offered in your area. I'm at a teaching hospital and our flight program allows employees to take a two hour flight class and then fly with them for a shift . Good luck!!!!!!!!

[unknownfuture]

thank you nursegreen for all your advice! it was very helpful, are you a flight nurse? if so, could you reply with some stuff you have to deal with, what its like, etc... thank you!!!!

[nursegreen]

I am not currently a flight nurse because I need a couple more years. :) I have worked at a level one trauma center going on 11 years. I did the LPN-RN transition program and have been working in critical care. In January I will rotate to the trauma icu and then back to the ED around July of 09. It will really go by faster than you think, and if you decide you want to try other things you can with nursing. I recommend you go for it!!!! If you have a level one trauma center near you try and get a job as a nurse tech after your first semester of nursing, and see if they offer ride alongs. It was a huge adrenaline rush to ride along with the flight crew. I have been hooked on ED/trauma nursing ever since!!!! I believe if you look under the specialty tab at the top and click on nursing specialties there is a forum for flight nursing. I'm sure the flight nurses would be glad to answer your quiestions, and maybe there will be one in your local area that can give you exact information for your area. If you need anything else let me know!!!! Good Luck and welcome!!!!!!!

[nursegreen]

I just looked and there is a forum there for flight nursing!!!!

[getoverit, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

there's a lot of trauma but usually few and far between. most of the day involves checking the aircraft, helping the pilots, checking all your equipment, CLEANING, doing pr events, planning community education courses.

more downtime than flight time on most days.

that being said there have been plenty of times we've just about run ourselves to death. most flights i've ever had in 24 hours was 8 and it was pretty busy.