to fly or not

[RNnAlpine]

Hi, I am an RN of 13 years with 2 years of med ICU 4 yrs ago. Moved out of of a large metropolitan city to a small rural town and limited nursing challenges. Currently working in a struggling OR as a circulator past 2 years. Really feel led to help rural area. Do you guys feel the 2 years ICU along my other cardiac, medsurg and OR will be enough to be considered as a flight nurse. The pt is the most important part and they need the best trained they can get. Do I have enough with what a transport service would offer? Signed up for PALS already and PHTLS. Any advice guys? Just a 40+ girl wanting to fly.

[GilaRRT]

Generally, most good companies are looking for at least three years of ICU/ER experience. It sounds like you are on the right track however.

[RNnAlpine]

Thanks for the reply. I am battling with the choice of leaving the position I have and commuting to another city for the experience or staying here and adding to my training, ex. PHTLS, NRP, PALS. any advice is appreciated.

[GilaRRT]

Can you not obtain experience in your current facilities ER or ICU? In addition, I would not discredit your OR experience. However, having a solid foundation in critical care will be a key component for success as a flight nurse in many cases.

[jcampbell]

hi, i also am a 40+ rn (but a male) that has wanted to fly. i just was offered a job as a helicopter nurse (which i accepted) for the hospital that i currently work at. lets face it age is not suppose to play a part in the hiring process but we are in the same boat and any advantage i can obtain fairly i will take. i agree with the previous post but just wanted to add if there is a hospital near you that has a flight program try working for them and then transfer into that department. flight jobs are competitive and it is easier to obtain a job by transferring. the hospitals often take inside candidates due to cost and knowing an employees work habits. it is a much safer hire for managers and more cost effective for the hospital. the hospital that i just got my flight job at had 8 other nurses just from inside the hospital that applied. it had not been posted to the outside. i am sure i was not the most qualified if they looked outside the hospital but i was a known entity. they know my work ethic and knowledge base. they know i am not super nurse but is someone they can mold. best of luck, i know you can get there, i did. let me know if i can help in any way.

[in2bate71, BSN, RN]

I'd work on getting the certifications and consider some more critical care time, but your diverse background will serve you well when you start flying.

[Virgo_RN, BSN, RN]

I want to fly. Flight company here requires a minimum of 5 years' ED/ICU/Trauma experience. I've got 2 years of cardiac under my belt, soon to start in the ED.