mtnflyer

I am not sure this is an option. I would call and ask. ***** or **** will be able to help you.

Duplicate.

There are many ways to get to flight and even more opinions on how to get there. Many people like to cite their route as the best. Be cautious and always consider the source. I will say, if you want to be a flight nurse, then become a nurse. It is a long road, so why not move in that direction. Will you benefit from paramedic education? Yes, of course, but you have nursing school and nursing experience ahead of you. That is quite likely 7+ years at the minimum. Be patient (I know it is hard), but you will be there before you know it. Focus on becoming a good student and then a good nurse. Strive for excellence. Become a leader in which ever unit you end up. Join committees and be visible. It is not just clinical skill that is necessary to gain entry into many flight programs. Especially larger, hospital based programs. We are involved in research, performance improvement, community outreach, marketing, education, and safety activities. Besides skills can be taught more easily than behaviors. The general requirements for flight are no secret as esme12 has demonstrated. If you have a region or specific programs in mind then get to know theirs. You will do well to get to know the flight team and again be a known entity. I'll bet as you get close they will go out of their way to assist you in reaching your dream. Once you have some nursing experience, scheduling observational flights is a great way to get to see the roles and functions of the flight nurse and for the team to get to know you. Some subscribe to the philosophy of "Don't learn where you plan to land." Meaning go make your early mistakes elsewhere. I do not believe this. Show up and be your best. ED or ICU? I work with with phenomenal nurses from both arenas. EMS experience or not? Same. You learn some things in the ED and others in the ICU. EMS too. I love my ICU skills set and feel competent managing patients with tubes, lines, drips and devices. I know vasopressors, beta-blockers, inotropic, and a variety of other medications inside and out. I can do med math is a flash. I can bring down the hammer and make someone calm and comfortable swiftly and with confidence. ED nurses do some of these and other great things too! No matter where you come from, you will have deficits. It is your responsibility to know what they are. And, have a plan address them. Simply be the best at what you do! Follow your heart and the opportunities you are given and create. Carve out your own path to flight! Good Luck! I digress - Trauma is exciting. It is often highly visible. The helicopter lands, closing the interstate with cameras rolling. The rock stars descend and save the day. For most programs, this is a small portion of their flight volume. Most programs

I attended Creighton's RN to P program and brought 5 years high volume ICU experience. It was great with very long days. You basically head to the OR then class then ride time then bed x 14 days. I learned plenty and really enjoyed the experiece. The didactic portion is abridged because as an RN you already have A&P, pharmacology and significant experience. Don't let people fool you, there is no shorcut with regard to internship. I rode with a well respected hospital based program and they made sure I knew my stuff. I would suggest have a local agency lined up before heading out to Omaha.

Your drive is classic flight nurse! Made me chuckle. My experience is similar to yours (2.5 SICU/2.5 CTICU). It has likely prepared you for the great challenge ahead. I know you worked very hard to prepare for the interview and to be where you are. As one who has just been through the process, I would suggest taking a break from all of the study and just relax! Spend time with friends and family and enjoy the accomplishment. Showing up rested will serve you well. If you are anything like me, those words are hard to hear. If you must do something, I would get a copy of your "Standards". Eventually, you will need to know these inside and out. My plan before orientation started was to get to know how the standards were organized, so I could find what I needed quickly. Take one standard per day and read it through. Simple familiarity is a good goal. You will soon be on information overload. There will probably be days where you wonder what you have signed up for. Be teachable, you are not expected to know how to be a flight nurse. Trust the process and lean on your preceptors and partners. Developing relationships with these people will be your greatest asset, along with your hard work. My orientation was tough as the standard is high, but it should be! All the best in your new adventure!