flight227

Had to laugh at the age discrimination post. I started as a flight RN at 40, let me tell you what, I RUN RINGS around my "younger" counterparts. The life experience and maturity that we "old folks" bring to the profession can't be bought or learned at any price. Tell them to hold your spot on the team, you'll be there once all your qualifications are in place and you'll show them how to get it done!

I had always set my goal to be flight nurse as my career, even before I started nursing school. After graduation I started in the NICU, truly learning an assessment as my patients were unable to "tell me where it hurts". From there I went to an adult ICU, did ground CCT, and then finally to a rotor program. Our program partners flight RN's with flight Paramedics to cover the best of both worlds. I have not done ER, but have cared for many different patient populations as a flight RN, have done a successful surgical cric in the field, and many other "emergency" procedures. The best advice I could give would be to find out what your local flight companies require and then work where is best for you, always remembering to figure out where your weaknesses lie and making them your strength. Good luck to you in all your endeavors.