RickyRescueRN BSN, RN

ICU, Trauma, CCT,Emergency, Flight, OR Nursing

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All Content by RickyRescueRN

  1. RickyRescueRN

    Height & Weight requirements

    RickyRescueRN replied to PocketSize's topic in Flight, Surface Transport

    Some states require one to have an EMT-P, but there are many that don't. (California being one). At the hospital based Flight program where I work, none of my colleagues were paramedics/ EMT's before...
  2. RickyRescueRN

    Career Path to Flight Nursing

    RickyRescueRN replied to Kgrady's topic in Flight, Surface Transport

    I have posted several times on what is required/ expected in terms of qualifications and experience for the Flight Nursing Specialty on other posts in this section. I would caution you though in terms...
  3. RickyRescueRN

    How can an RN be a flight nurse?

    RickyRescueRN replied to cptforge.gil's topic in Flight, Surface Transport

    As far as I know, I think 40 is usually the cut off for reserves. Check with your local recruit center or on the Air Force Nurse Reserve
  4. RickyRescueRN

    Flight gear and tips

    RickyRescueRN replied to jjphoenix's topic in Flight, Surface Transport

    Most of what you need, your employer will supply you with . (Helmet, uniforms, pens etc). Some employers give their employees an annual "boot allowance"; typically about $100. I always have a...
  5. RickyRescueRN

    "the nurse"

    RickyRescueRN replied to Flare's topic in School

    I'm a flight nurse at my hospital and don't even get called/ referred to as a nurse. Rather I get summoned as "Life Flight, we need you" or "Life Flight is here" and yes, this is in the hospital where...
  6. RickyRescueRN

    Nurse to Firefighter

    RickyRescueRN replied to McStudMuffin's topic in Men in Nursing

    Started out 22yrs ago as a paramedic, went to university to become a RN. Worked for years in ICU and Trauma/ ED and then started flying as a Flight RN. Been doing that for about 17 years now and love...
  7. RickyRescueRN

    Specialty Poll for male nurses

    RickyRescueRN replied to DatMurse's topic in Men in Nursing

    RN for 21 years, ICU for 5 years (CVICU, Surg/Trauma ICU, MICU and CCU) then ED/ Trauma for 2 years and have been Flying for the rest as Flight RN and CCT RN. Love the variety and crossover between...
  8. RickyRescueRN

    Any men in OB?

    RickyRescueRN replied to CalebRN's topic in Men in Nursing

    Not having men in OB/ Maternity must be an American thing. In South Africa where I did my training as a RN, we HAD to do 1 year of midwifery/ Obstetrics in order to register as a RN. You were required...
  9. RickyRescueRN

    New BSN getting started on the path to become a Flight Nurse

    RickyRescueRN replied to kruse's topic in Flight, Surface Transport

    If your girlfriend can get a position after graduating in a residency program (ICU is preferable) , that would be a good start. Otherwise , getting any position in a hospital/ acute care is where most...
  10. RickyRescueRN

    Flight RRT?

    RickyRescueRN replied to akcw1981's topic in Flight, Surface Transport

    Flight programs that utilize Respiratory Therapists are few and far between, but they do exist. As other have stated, most often they are required to also be licensed as a paramedic. Life Star in CT...
  11. RickyRescueRN

    Legal Nurses in Central CA area

    RickyRescueRN replied to purpletzz's topic in Legal

    Hi Purpletzz, I'm a Flight Nurse Specialist and Legal Nurse Consultant in the Bay area in Northern California. I specialize in EMS, CCT and Flight Nursing type cases , but am also often involved in...
  12. RickyRescueRN

    Resources to brush up on?

    RickyRescueRN replied to applesxoranges's topic in Flight, Surface Transport

    Your question and detail in it are a bit vague. If you are planning on working Critical Care Transport, then getting Critical Care /ICU experience will be most advantageous as most ER nursing does not...
  13. RickyRescueRN

    Flight Nurse

    RickyRescueRN replied to MReg's topic in Flight, Surface Transport

    Yeah I would not recommend that site any longer. Not active and when it is , its usually paramedics making disparaging remarks about nurses and nursing. Just unprofessional. I think one will find all...
  14. RickyRescueRN

    Height & Weight requirements

    RickyRescueRN replied to PocketSize's topic in Flight, Surface Transport

    If you are able to meet the strength and physical requirements of the specific flight program (they usually post these on the vacancy listing) you will be fine. You have a good stretch of time to work...
  15. RickyRescueRN

    Flight Nurse

    RickyRescueRN replied to MReg's topic in Flight, Surface Transport

    Pocketsize, the requirements do seem overwhelming , but they are requirements for a very good reason. Essentially, as a Flight RN or CCT RN, you are practicing well out of the scope of most RN's and...
  16. RickyRescueRN

    Downtime as a transport RN

    RickyRescueRN replied to Wolf at the Door's topic in Flight, Surface Transport

    I work for a large academic hospital flight program and we work 12 hour shifts , rotating days and night shifts. Usually the first 2 hours of our shift is committed to checking our aircraft,...
  17. RickyRescueRN

    Flight Nurse

    RickyRescueRN replied to MReg's topic in Flight, Surface Transport

    The MINIMUM amount of experience required is 3 years. As a Flight RN with 16 years experience and 21 years as a RN, the more experience you get in ICU the better practitioner you will be. If you work...
  18. RickyRescueRN

    Considering Specialty change

    RickyRescueRN posted a topic in Operating Room

    Been a RN 21 yrs here and most of my career has been in ICU, ED and the mojority as a Flight Nurse. While training in South Africa , I spent 2 months as a student nurse in the Cardiothoracic OR and...
  19. RickyRescueRN

    Preparing for the CFRN!

    RickyRescueRN replied to mccuey13's topic in Flight, Surface Transport

    As someone who is very involved with the CFRN and CTRN exam process I would STRONGLY encourage you to hold off taking a CFRN exam until you have at least 2 years actual Flight experience. All BCEN...
  20. RickyRescueRN

    Returning to the ED?

    RickyRescueRN replied to TonjiaT's topic in Emergency

    Trust me, its like riding a bike. It will come back to you within a matter or days. I think the biggest challenges for most RN's returning to the bedside/ direct patient care is the documentation...
  21. RickyRescueRN

    How old are the CFRN questions?

    RickyRescueRN replied to MesaRN's topic in Flight, Surface Transport

    You are correct, however it is strongly recommended and as someone who has an in depth understanding of these exams, both exams (questions/ items) are written for the the Flight /CCT RN with a...
  22. RickyRescueRN

    When there isn't an emergency

    RickyRescueRN replied to Chesterton1's topic in Flight, Surface Transport

    At most hospital based Flight/ CCT programs, such as the one where I work , RN's spend the first 2 hours of the shift preflighting the helicopter/ ambulance/ airplane followed by the pilot briefing...
  23. RickyRescueRN

    How old are the CFRN questions?

    RickyRescueRN replied to MesaRN's topic in Flight, Surface Transport

    Professional Board Certification Exams (BCEN) are NOT based on books. They require one to have a minimum of 2 years experience as a CCT or Flight RN and rely on the candidate having several prior...
  24. RickyRescueRN

    Does new CFRN exam require new study resources?

    RickyRescueRN replied to Wayno's topic in Flight, Surface Transport

    The best way to prepare for any of these Board Certification Exams, is to read widely (Air Medical Journal), Flight and CCT nursing textbooks, Critical Care Text books, attend conferences (CCTMC,...
  25. RickyRescueRN

    Pay Scale for Flight Nurses?

    RickyRescueRN replied to student4ever's topic in Flight, Surface Transport

    I have been a Full time flight nurse for 5 years for the USA's biggest Helicopter EMS provider and get paid approx $10 less an hour than what I make in the Level 1 Trauma Unit at the University...