Northern nursing and flying

[Bre90]

Hello,

I am an RN in Canada, and over the summer while on vacation in northern Canada, I started thinking about nursing up north. I became aware that a number of small towns and villages in the north lack easy access, often only by plane.

Here is my question. Do you think an RN (or possibly an NP) with a pilot's licence would be a valuable asset in the north? For example the nurse could fly into the communities and provide care, such as immunizations etc. How likely would getting this sort of position be?

I would like to hear from nurses with experience in the north (not necessarily just the Canadian north), but any input would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

[Leonardo Del Toro, RN]

It is certainly an asset if you have experience with air travel since flying patients out and reaching remote areas so much involve flying. The rural hospital where I work is in a fairly remote area but not as much as the ones you are describing however we work with about 6 or 7 flight services, some have nurses on board rather than EMT's and that is better because patients can be sent with IV's and any other device they had when the leave the ER.

[LindyLouCoho]

Northern Nursing in Canada.

Not easy and the job legislation you have in the South does not exist in the North. First, First Nations run entirely different than health authorities. Laws and regulations are not the same on First Nations land. BEWARE. In the North, you spend considerable time living in isolated environments where leisure time is not even considered. You can't even get a walk in because by the time you get off work it is dark. There is violence, wild dogs, and a single women are not always safe. There is a great loss of your personal life and well being. Employers don't care. It all boils down to money so if you don't care about your health and well bring and only care about money, the North is probably fine. You will make money on overtime and hard work. If you want to stay healthy and fit - don't go. I have never worked with so many out of shape and sick nurses as in the North. Lastly, gag orders, nurses in the North can't talk. The employers ensure you shut up about everything so the world never knows what really goes on.

[Red Shirt 6, CNA]

Did you go North? If you did what was it like?