flight nursing in the air force?

WillsRN · Jun 15, 1999

Why don't you email some active duty folks

at their training center in San Antonio TX?

Just search under Aerospace Medicine or

USAF Flight Nurse.

katz rn · Sep 19, 1999

Kimberly,

Hi there, am a former army nurse, and dealt with several air force "flight nurses." Certainly their training center may helpful in obtaining information, or maybe an airforce recruiter? The majority of the flight nurses in the airforce I believe are on fixed wings only. No rotors. And they are the ones responsible in the transportation of patients among military facilities. I have a cousin in the airforce who maybe could direct us to other sources of information. If interested, e-mail me.

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Tina Thorn RN

Critical Care

cbuttonrn · Jan 4, 2001

There aren't many flight nurse positions available in the AF reserve right now. They just finished downsizing.

There is a unit at Andrews AFB. I think that is the closest unit. THere is also a unit in Charlston SC.

KR · Jan 5, 2001

Thanks very much for the information. Kimberly Rush, RN

CCU/ICU

Ex130Load · Oct 9, 2002

McGuire AFB, outside of Trenton NJ, has/had 3 MedEvac Squadrons. Greater Pitt (Pittsburgh) Airport has a MedEvac Squadron. They're around, you just have to look. Suggest you get a hold of a AF Reserve and Guard recruitor for some phone numbers. The AF MedEvac headquarters is at Scott AFB, IL. I've seen a web site for Scott on the net that will give you base contacts. From there, they should be able to give you phone numbers to units in which you might be interested... if they can't answer all the question you may have in the first place.

FlyingED · Nov 20, 2003

I am a AF Flight Nurse in the Reserves. I am stationed at McChord AFB in Washington. Here are a few things to think about when making the decision to join.

1. I interviewed with the Senior ART at the squadron, suit, tie and resume'.

2. The Reserves provide 80% of all aeromedical evacuations for the Air Force.

3. The minimum time required by the reserves per year is 48 days. The average days per year in a flying squadron is over 110 days.

4. The types of missions vary. Strategic Aeromedical Evacuation (AE) is the transport of patients from one theater to another i.e. Kuwait to Germany or Germany to Andrews AFB MD. There is also the Tactica (smaller planes c-130 vs c-17 or c-141). Tactical is low level, blacked out, shot at- working on patients that just came from the battle field, who may or may not be stable.

5. My squadron will have some openings in the near future. I am sure other squadrons will also. War has that affect on some people.

6. If you have critical care experience they have what is called C-CAT teams, Critical Care Air Transport teams. Basically they are flying ICUs.

7. ACLS, TNCC, PALS or ENPC are manditory or highly recommended.

Contact your local Air Force Reserve Healthcare Recruiter. Find a local AES (Aeromedial Evacuation Squadron). There are also State Guard units in PA that have FNs.

Good luck.

I love what I do. We are providing a needed service for the men and women that are fighting for us.

If you have any other questions please feel free to ask.

jnette, ASN, EMT-I · Nov 20, 2003

Originally posted by FlyingED
Good luck.

I love what I do. We are providing a needed service for the men and women that are fighting for us.

Couldn't agree more !!! From a prior AF Medic who then did 2 more years in the AF Reserves as a "flight medic", training on those grand ol' C-130's... you flight nurses were my heros and my idols. One of the reasons I am a nurse myself today... 30 years later.

If I had to do it all over again, I know in my heart this is what I would be doing now. I actually still dream about it to this day.

Good luck, and ENJOY ! :)

shinerchia · Jul 31, 2004

AF flight nurses transport wounded and sick on aircraft of opportunity. There are no longer and dedicated medical transport platforms since the retirement of the C-9 Nightingale. The Air Force does not operate from the FLOT to the rear for aircraft transport. The Army is responsible for low and slow transport for the first few miles from the battle front to the rear. The AF typically picks up troops at the next echelon of care where the pt has been stabilized and ready for intratheatre or intertheatre transfer.

You have to be an Officer on Conditional Reserve Status which means you'll already be an AD nurse for at least two years before you start applying to a flight slot (a process that can take about 6 or 9 months).

The bottom line is that you won't walk into the AF and take a flight slot. Get used to taking care of stable people...then crit care pts...then start looking at atmospheric pressure problems and disease affected by those. Most new grads can't manage chest tubes for 5 minutes on the ground - much less for 12 hours at altitude, never mind a Swan.

B141emt · Aug 16, 2005

Hello,
I was wondering if anyone could give me any opinions or information about flight nursing in the air force, especially in the reserves? I woudl appreciate any information. Thank you.
Kimberly Rush

I am a flight medic at march afb in ca and a nursing student. what do you want to know.

B141emt · Aug 16, 2005

I am a flight medic at march afb in ca and a nursing student. what do you want to know.

Its fun we fly to Hawaii a lot. Its on our route. You have to go to Fight school and survial school (about 8 weeks) then their ground schools two weeks. and about six training flight on your primary airplane. you will not have a normal life whiled you are training so don't plan to go to school like PA, or NP you won't have the time. you will have to fly at least once every two months but count on every month. I have been to Japan, Hawaii 4 time this year, Guam and about five states. Training missions are nice but the live ones with real Patients are the best. you will fly with two nurses and three medics (medics are LVN/EMT-B that suture, do IV's and give drugs but no narcotic that's your job) most medics in the reserve are cops Firefighter/paramedic they are straight (most are but don't be surprise don't ask) most of the Male RN with two years RN are to but there is are a few, most of us don't care just pull weight (99% us don't care but there are old timer). If you do it you can get a lot out of it but it not easy. Most nurses find the schools easy but you have to stay healthy and some find that hard. The time it demand out of your life is hard for most. but flying home 30 wounded marines with tatter and broken body from war to their family is worth it. I never done that I have flown premature babies in incubators and on vents for heart operations on more then once, a mother in labor to the states so the baby can have a heart operation when it's born or it would have die. Reties home to die in their homes with their families around them and I have brought home Soldiers that were less then 46 hours from the battle field home to their families. It's not a glamorous job but it have its monuments.

PACUNurse1 · Jan 9, 2008

Flying Ed, are you still in the AF reserves? I'm waiting for the final thumbs up on my package...was a former Navy Nurse (active duty) who has crossed over into the blue...can I pick your brain? I will be assigned to the 439th at Westover ARB.