Flight nurse?

[Sirena_615]

Is there anyone on here that is a flight nurse? I'm looking to get advice from someone who is because I want to be one myself and possibly paramedic on the side part time? I don't know. I'm curious on how to get there and any tips on the matter.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

Moved to flight nursing

[Devo19, BSN, MSN, APRN]

I just got commissioned in May and my first UTA is July 16th. What information would you like to know?

[NICU Guy, BSN, RN]

From an old thread on the subject

Prior to active flight status, all medical personnel must have the following current certifications and must maintain them in a current status.

FLIGHT NURSES

Minimum 3 years current critical care experience

State RN license (Must have license for states served)

BLS (Basic Life Support for Health Care Providers

ACLS (American Heart Association Advanced Cardiac Life Support)

PALS (American Heart Association Pediatric Advanced Life Support)

PHTLS (National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians Pre-Hospital Trauma Life support

All nurses are required to hold an advanced certification (CFRN, CEN, CCRN) within 2 years of hire.

Additional State Specific Requirements

Illinois

Registered Nurses are required to obtain within (6) months of hire, and maintain provider status for the following:

TNCC (Emergency Nurses Association Trauma Nursing Core Course OR

TNS (Trauma Nurse Specialist)

Texas

Registered Nurses are required to obtain within (6) months of hire, and maintain provider status for the following:

Texas State Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Certification

Tennessee

Registered Nurses are required to obtain and maintain within one year of hire the following:

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) license and

Either a Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN), Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN), or

Certified Flight Registered Nurse (CFRN)

Arkansas

Registered Nurses are required to obtain and maintain prior to hire the following:

Arkansas State Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Certification

Kentucky

Registered Nurses are required to obtain and maintain prior to hire the following:

NRP (Neonatal Resuscitation Program)

[Devo19, BSN, MSN, APRN]

Fortunately, much of this has changed. You only need one year of experience (not ICU) AND can only have BLS and ACLS.

[Sirena_615]

Do you need to become a paramedic and a nurse to be a flight nurse? I was originally under the impression you had to be both

[chare]

Fortunately, much of this has changed. You only need one year of experience (not ICU) AND can only have BLS and ACLS.

I'm curious as to where this is.

[Wuzzie]

Fortunately, much of this has changed. You only need one year of experience (not ICU) AND can only have BLS and ACLS.

Are you referring to military flight nursing or civilian? Because if you're talking about civilian I don't think you're information is accurate. At least I really, really hope not.

[Devo19, BSN, MSN, APRN]

Sorry I didn't clarify but I am speaking about the Air Force Reserves. I am based out of Wright Patterson AFB. I only had 1 year of experience (on a Med-Surg flood) when I started my process. It took a year and 2 months from start of the application to being sworn in. I have a BSN (which is required to be commissioned).

Awesome thing is that they will pay for all of these certifications and pay me to maintain them!

[Chissa0202]

Hello,

Are you in reserves? I am taking Tech school( as 4NO enlisted)in Ft Sam Huston. I have 3 yeas of Med Surge and Teley experience and BSN. I would like to apply for comission when I am back to WPAFB.I have questions, If you do not mind, could you PM me?

Thanks

[Wuzzie]

Sorry I didn't clarify but I am speaking about the Air Force Reserves. I am based out of Wright Patterson AFB. I only had 1 year of experience (on a Med-Surg flood) when I started my process. It took a year and 2 months from start of the application to being sworn in. I have a BSN (which is required to be commissioned).

Awesome thing is that they will pay for all of these certifications and pay me to maintain them!

Thanks for the clarification and a big congratulations on your commission. What an exciting time for you! Although I have never been in the military in my research I have found there are significant differences between a military flight nurse and a civilian one which explains the differences in requirements for hire. The civilian flight nurse role would be more in line with the CCAT team role (minus the physician) and I'm guessing you need a bit more experience to be part of the CCAT.

[dobi66]

This is a great site to gain information. Prior to posting a question I usually do a search to see if anyone had previously answered my question. This particular question has been asked and answered several times. Do you have a question that has not already been answered in a previous post? Many people have shared numerous tips on this subject which can be found using the search function.