Just got a job!

FlyingScot, RN · Oct 9, 2012

I saw your other post and hesitated to comment but since you've posted here and asked for tips here's mine. I would seriously reconsider this job. I'm not trying to be mean, really I'm not. I have only your best interest at heart. I'm going to be frank and say out loud what every experienced CCT RN is thinking. Under no circumstances should a new grad be riding CCT. You do not have enough experience in nursing to be remotely safe as a CCT nurse, not to mention an extremely part time CCT nurse. I do not understand why a company would hire you for such a position citing military experience as enough to do the job unless your military experience was as a medic or medical corpsman. Not "freaking out" is by no means a qualifier for this type of position. What I fear for you is a patient transport going badly and you, as the holder of the highest license (unless you have CCT physicians), being totally thrown under the bus by said company. I know you are excited but you need to step back and re-evaluate. Reputable companies hire people with at least 2-3 years of ICU experience because these are the types of patients that require an RN to be on board. Reputable companies have a lengthy prescribed orientation period so that the orientee can become familiarized with the equipment, policies and procedures. You are seriously risking your brand new license not to mention a lot of pain and financial loss if you take this job.

FlightJunkie · Oct 16, 2012

Usually I am all for GNs going for their dreams. The right person, with the right personality and motivation can overcome the extra obstacles in critical care nursing. I say this because in most aspects of nursing, there are all sorts of resources available, from experienced co-workers, to great internship/training programs that support graduate nurses. I simply do not agree with the old mindset that everyone has to have 2-4 years of medsurg experience under their belt before going into ER/Critical Care. Transport nursing is entirely different though. A brand new transport nurse is already expected to be not just good at their skills, but known as a clinical leader in their previous units. They are the go to people that have solid experience, phenomenal clinical judgement, excellent assessment skills, and the proven ability to apply it all within minutes to a badly injured/septic pt in a tin can bouncing through the air at 140+ miles per hour. No graduate nurse should start here. It does not matter what experience you have in other fields, you do not have what it takes, as a GN, to fulfill this role. I usually am all for GNs stretching themselves and going for their dreams, but not here. The flight program I work for REQUIRES: 3+ years experience in ER/ICU and CEN or CCRN (I have both) certifications as well as all the usual stuff: BLS, ACLS, PALS, TNCC, ITLS, NRP, ENPC, ATLS, etc, etc, etc. A GN getting a job in this field is like an MD that skips residency and starts practicing in neurosurgery right out of med school. Sorry, I know it's not what you want to hear. Go to an ER and/or ICU and get your skills down. Otherwise, you may end up looking like a fool being in this role and not having a clue what anything is about.

PS: All this isn't taking into account the increased hazards and safety risks associated with flight. This is a very dangerous job and if you cannot appreciate that or have any idea what I am talking about then you are certainly not in the right place.

Aaron