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mia culpa- deep breath taken- I understand what you're asking now.

Very well written. So many of the stories and situations I can relate to...

Sorry I'm a little late for the dance. If you get this before your interview I hope it is helpful. Be yourself- having no trauma experience is NOT a deal breaker. Nothing is more revealing than a candidate that has all the answers, all the credentials and all the attitude. Having a foundational knowledge base and an attitude to work within a team is the basic requirement for an entry level position. So when they ask you your weakness(es) do not shy away from your lack of trauma hands on experience. Just make sure you have refreshed some book learning;) Good luck, let us know how it went.

Trust Mostly we're all coming from the same place, we want whats best for our patient. If there is a disagreement try looking to the other view. Communication Talk with one another, keep the comm lines open, don't get tunnel vision (hearing). Planning Once you've launched you get some patient information, develop a plan together, be flexible and adaptable. Medical Control Some time you may disagree and a decision has to be made. Call medical control. The reality is, as your scenario would suggest, this may not be timely. See #1: do what's best for the patient. (If you get to the point where you're discussing a cric... most likely it needs to be done.) Professionalism Never argue, fight, or disrespect your partner in the presence of outsiders.

Do you get sick no matter the position in the vehicle? ie, facing forward, sitting on the bench sideways or in the aft facing seat? Getting motion sick should not impede hiring unless it is to the degree you can not perform your job. Background checks are no different than any other medical provider job. Unless the HR department has some paranoid delusion about transport. Hope this helps.

Ok... so you are "not afraid of a hard work"... then you should have no trouble finding the paragraphs of step by step instructions on how to research, apply and even conduct the interview process in air medical transport that others, and myself have posted on this website. The information is right here and is rather easy to find if motivated. Good luck with your endeavors.

The program in Hartford Conn. fly a RN and RT pairing. I think* both need to be EMT's. One may* have to be a Paramedic. If you're already a RT I would go the RN route because of the increased job opportunities and pay. In many programs RNs earn more money than the Paramedics. Even though they may do essentially the same job. * not absolutely sure.

ahhh... the memories:grpwlcm: right out of school, I landed a fulltime job on the evening shift in med-surg:up: but first I had to orient on day shift :bowingpur I'm not sure why but tht's the way they did things... whaat a nightmare:bugeyes: my preceptor was a nut:devil: constantly badgering to hurry up while she stood there with her arms crossed aand that ******* disgusted look:sniff: making snide comments about how she would "drop" another one.. why are people like that ? But I survived and made it to my evening shift.. (which was even on another floor) What a relief ! The Charge Nurse was awesome and the other nurses were supportive:1luvu: Appy yourself- don't take it personal- and never bring your worries to or from work. You can do this- I promise.

No, you are not too big. Half our medical crew weight about 235#. We even have some pushing 275#. Most programs have a weight limit, ours is 220# with helmet and radio. Obviously our management team does not enforce this policy. Good luck chasing your dream.

Ok .. don't know about your Union and the Collective Bargaining Agreement... but even in Massachusetts "oral sex with a resident" is professional misconduct. (Especially in the nursing profession) . What did the State Board have to say about this..'conduct?'

Ok... *poof*... you now have the assertivenss to quit the LTC job. This magic spell is only good for 3 days so do not procastinate... Now come here have a hug.... good, now go away.

Agree with the others; keep your license active. I would also advise you not to forget your nursing roots. They will serve you well as an RD. Good luck to you.

I think that this is an ideal time to bust someone's bubble. Before they spend the next three years of their career getting the minimum requirements to enter a transport nursing career only to find out that there is a whole lot more to the job than looking sharp in a jump suit . The original poster asked valid and sincere questions; and they were very well answered and the reality is that as a whole our safety record stinks. So why let a naive nursing student believe any different ? When you get a chance forward the link to the NY Post article on HEMS. I did a quick google search and found nothing. And if you have a scientific study that shows HEMS improves patient outcomes, I'd like to read that as well. Thanks !

Anyone interested in air medical transport should be completely informed. The Washington Post series is a concise, albeit journalistic, picture of the industry. The NTSB report is another good resource. http://www.ntsb.gov/Publictn/2009/AB09-HEMS.htm We're doing much better this year thanks to programs such as this: http://www.aams.org/Content/NavigationMenu/MemberServices/SAFETYVisionZero/default.htm As new people enter the field they must be aware of the dangers and pitfalls. Realistically speaking, when helicopters fall out of the sky your chances of survival are slim.

pricelessif you are disputing charges then call the program director and explain your concerns.

I didn't find it "extraordinary" either- just throwing out a topic for discussion. There were not that many jobs in the field 5 years ago when I started. Airmethods has over 240 bases in 40 some odd states. Rumor has it AEL is moving to fill the void in NYS left by the exodus of Stat Medevac. Yes the industry is growing; is it a good thing or not ? Someone mentioned "low... whoops... "crap pay"; why should flight nurses get more pay ? We all are not underpaid. If Airmethods doesn't pay well why does anyone work there ? 240 bases times 8 clinicians/base plus MBS... about 2160 staff...about 1320 nurses... about 12 openings...less than 1% vacancy. Airmethods must be doing something to retain staff.

Some good advice, especially that ring kissing, DON'T suck up If you have not found this on your own, here are a couple articles you should read: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/08/21/AR2009082103886.html http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/08/20/AR2009082004500.html

Between Airmethods and AirEvac there are close to fifty open jobs across the U.S. Does anyone else find that interesting ? Also there are about a dozen on Flight Web..

I do not know what they're getting paid on average. However there is some disparity depending on whether the program is hospital or community based. My advice is to find the program you are interested in and then call and ask for the starting base rate. If you are serious; make an appointment with the medical base manager and present your questions (expand beyond just the pay) as fact finding and potential interest. We who work the 24hr shift fall under the Railway Labor Act of 1864 or 1939 (or some year). What that means is that we work two 24 hr shifts per week. You would think that would equal 48 hours and 8 hours per week would be OT. Wrong! If you get interrupted sleep during your scheduled sleep time it gets "banked." Therefore if you get no OT for one night of interrupted sleep. BUT if the next shift (in the same pay week, NOT pay period) you get interrupted then you would get 8 hrs OT. Now that's based on a two day 24hr shift perweek. Once you have banked back to forty hours then you get OT for every hour worked beyond the forty. :banghead:Hopefully someone can explain it better, then I would finally understand the concept. It's just easier to work twelves.

Hi Lizzy, Could you please clarify that you actually heard them say: "had no OB experience." My next question is: What was the crew configuration ? Two RN's or RN/RRT or RN and Paramedic. Its hard for me to believe that an unqualified flight team was sent on this transport. They may have not been very good at high risk OB but I just can not fathom being sent on a call without experience or training in that area. Not all flight nurses have an OB background (but we love it when they do, PLUS the other pre-req's), most have some combination of ICU and ER (and although in the ER there is some OB, it is minimal). However when you are hired and the program does high risk OB then, in my experience, you are trained to care for high risk OB and in my program we need to maintain compentancies QUARTERLY... every 3 months we do at least 4 hours each in L&D and the NICU. (plus every other specialty you can think of including OR for intubations and SIM man). we also must maintain NRP and all the rest. We have Standards of Care that outline our programs plan for treating HROB: everything from Trauma and Pregnancy to Pre-term labor to Pre-ecampsia and eclampsia and HELLP syndrome. We carry Mag Sul/Pitocin/Terbutaline/Hydralazine/Labetalol...etc... When we do a transport we ALWAYS receive report/assess the patients and then call the receiving OB and update them before leaving. If we run into some problem that my partner and I should not know the answer or have a question then we call our Medical Director AND NEVER has he ever chastised anyone for calling. So as far as my personel experience I feel comfortable transporting MOST HROB... exceptions like Mom's at 7cm and pushing, then she is not getting in the Helicopter.

Here is a provider in your area: https://lifeteam.net/ Call the Medical Base Supervisor and ask how much is the starting rate. Looks like there are quite a few openings.

My condolences to the family and friends of the Flight Crew of LifeTeam 76. This thread was started as an opportunity for us to offer condolences. It is my view that discussing HEMS Safety and bad mouthing their company in the same thread is disrespectful. If anyone wishes to discuss HEMS safety and offer up their opinions please visit this thread: https://allnurses.com/forums/f19/surge-air-ambulance-accidents-318108.html or start a new discussion.

look here: http://www.astna.org/job_openings.html

11 Bases in Kentucky http://www.airmethodsky.com/about/index.html

if you are having second thoughts then listen to them. too many people [crew] climb on board and abdicate responsibilty for their personal safety to more experienced providers and the pilot.