operationflightnurse

this in no way implies your (or any other RN) knowledge is limited...one might not understand what he doesn't know until they actually know it...if that makes sense. ACNP not only expands on ones current critical care knowledge, it teaches one how to use the vast information available and interpret it into their practice. Anyone can publish a study and get results but what do those results mean? Are they valid? Are they valid to your patient?

please read NREMT-P/RN post on this thread. His is right on and no matter how rewarding, exciting, and fun this job is, there is a risk and it must be considered when applying. Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) programs have one of the highest fatality rates per employee than any other occupation and are 6000 times more likely to have an accident than commercial aircraft.

ACNP is the way to go. I am currently a flight nurse practitioner and finished a masters program to obtain ACNP while practicing as a flight RN. I disagree with the above comment that NP is a waste. When I was a flight RN, I thought I knew a lot about critical care but you really don't understand the limited knowledge you have untill you obtain that knowledge. You will learn more than you think in school.

I've worked CVICU, NICU, MICU, SICU, CCU and now flight. It is the best job ever. I took a large pay cut from travel to do what I do and love my job. I am a flight nurse practitioner and have spent the last few years documenting some of my more memorable transports (rotor-wing, fixed-wing, and mobile ICU)

Air Medical Transport Teams can vary depending on location or place of employment. Some programs do more trauma, others more medical transports. Trauma Junkie focuses on the trauma portion of flight nursing. I am a flight nurse practitioner and have spent the last few years documenting some of my more memorable transports (rotor-wing, fixed-wing, and mobile ICU).