How I became a Flight RN

[ScottMedicRN]

I figured I would come back here to post about how I became a flight RN to maybe guide some of you who want to do the same. You don't have to follow this career path exactly, but it's how I did it, and after several job offers, I feel like my resume is a good one for this job. 

Paramedic
I was a 911 paramedic for several years before doing a bridge program to nursing. This is not necessary, but I have been told many times that flight programs love this because you are used to operating in a pre-hospital environment. If you're already an RN consider maybe finding a program to bridge RN to paramedic, although they're rare. You can also add an EMT certification. Honestly though, if you hadn't already been a paramedic and got the experience, I would just focus on ICU experience. They're looking for the experience more so than just an RN who got a paramedic license but never used it. 

ICU RN
Flight programs prefer ICU experience. Try to go to a major university. Don't specialize in something like neuro ICU. Maybe CSICU, but nothing too specialized.

Collect certifications 
I started doing this while I was in the ICU. A lot of classes were paid for by the hospital, even though they weren't related to my job. PALS NRP STABLE TNCC/PHTLS CCRN CFRN

Ground Critical Care Transport
Not necessary to get a flight position per se, but you will stand out above other people who have only ICU experience. At a major university hospital, ground transport will have patients just as sick, maybe sicker, than flight, and they know this. You'll more or less have the clinical experience, and just need to learn the helicopter part. Again not needed, so I encourage you to apply for flight if you have ICU experience, but if you can't get it, ground CCT will really boost your resume. I ended up staying for many years just because I enjoyed it so much I didn't see a need to fly. However, smaller companies will NOT be as sick as a major university hospital program. This will also provide you a means to network. I have networked with so many people by doing ground, that I had connections at almost every major flight program after a few years. Honestly, I would be a mediocre flight provider had it not been for my ground CCT experience. I learned a ton. 

Study
Okay so I mentioned certifications earlier, but if you haven't already study and take CFRN. Not only mag you stand out more, but you will know a lot of the knowledge necessary to be successful in flight. Most interviews as well as real life will require you to think like a paramedic/provider. You will have to decide what to do on your own.

Most of the flight interviews weren't that hard to be honest. One of the major companies, which I work for, was actually the easiest. Beware that sometimes flight isn't actually that serious. A lot of the companies in the remote areas of the desert fly BLS patients fairly frequently. 
 

feel free to ask any questions and good luck 

[helmetnurse]

😀

[dianearc, BSN, RN]

Hi ScottMedicRN. Did you ever pursue PMHNP? In another post from 2020 you mentioned having a desire in it & im curious as I am also a critical care nurse with a desire to transition into psych. 

[ScottMedicRN]

dianearc said:

Hi ScottMedicRN. Did you ever pursue PMHNP? In another post from 2020 you mentioned having a desire in it & im curious as I am also a critical care nurse with a desire to transition into psych. 

I did for two semesters then dropped out. I just wasn't happy doing the coursework honestly. I am happy doing the flight thing and I don't think I would get that out of PMHNP.

[dianearc, BSN, RN]

ScottMedicRN said:

I did for two semesters then dropped out. I just wasn't happy doing the coursework honestly. I am happy doing the flight thing and I don't think I would get that out of PMHNP.

Thank you for the prompt response!  Opportunities are endless so it can be tricky. & that is awesome! Congratulations on the flight path! 😊