How to become a Life Flight nurse?

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I found myself really interested in becoming a Life FLight nurse. I graduate in December 2008 and was wondering what the best route was to becoming Life Flight.

Do I start in med/surg? For how long?

Do I need a certain number of years in ER experience?

What certifications are needed, PALS, ACLS...?

Any pointers or hints would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

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Specializes in ccu cardiovascular.

I had a coworker that works for lifeflight in a nearby city. She had to have at least 5 years of er or trauma icu experience. I commend you for wanting to do this, so good luck. I would imagine one to have acls, pals, and possibly a ccrn, trauma certification.

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You can find many answers by searching the Flight and Surface Transport threads.

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Contact your local hospital that has a flight crew and ask if they have a ride along program. I just did my ride along and now I am more in love with the specialty than ever!

Good luck getting there and check out the flight/transport specialty forum for lots of helpful information.

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Specializes in M/S.

I would like to also but the town I live in does not have a flight crew so I need to move or drive at least 2 hrs. I am working on trying to move. Good luck on your venture.

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Specializes in ER.
I found myself really interested in becoming a Life FLight nurse. I graduate in December 2008 and was wondering what the best route was to becoming Life Flight.

Do I start in med/surg? For how long?

Do I need a certain number of years in ER experience?

What certifications are needed, PALS, ACLS...?

Any pointers or hints would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Check out your flight companies website. They will have their criteria online. Most that I've looked into want 3+years ED/ICU exp, ACLS, PALS, NRP, TNCC, ITLS, and some sort of EMT cert. I would recommend looking into doing a fly along. Talk with your hospitals EMTs, they are extremely helpful:)

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Take an EMT class at your school. A number of Life Flight personnel are Paramedics and Rn's or EMT's and RN's. If you become an RN at a hospital, take advantage of their ACLS, PALS, etc. and get a good M/S experience first. Then move on to an ICU experience. Most of all, look on their website, and see what it is you need to become part of their team......Good luck!! An exciting venture!!

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