Life as a Flight Nurse

by Alex A. Kecskes

Flight nurses are highly trained registered nurses who possess a number of skills, including that of an intensive care nurse, emergency nurse and critical care nurse. They typically respond to a variety of emergencies under varying conditions.

Some flight nurses are assigned to medical emergency teams that treat critically injured or ill patients in remote areas while airlifting them to a healthcare facility. Other flight nurses are sent to disaster sites like car accidents, tornados and earthquakes, treating seriously injured patients while they are rushed to hospital trauma centers. Working for the most part in helicopters or other aircraft, flight nurses perform specialized intensive care during transport.

Some large commercial airlines employ flight nurses to accompany patients who have specific medical conditions. These nurses fly fully prepared with a patient's medical history, specific needs, and medical supplies and equipment to ensure that they can address any emergencies that may occur during the flight.

Patients with medical conditions that once restricted their travel can now fly thanks to flight nurses who monitor them in flight. Flight nursing can be exciting but it does have its share of stresses. Flight nurses are usually employed by private or community hospitals, airlines, medical emergency disaster teams, and private individuals.

Flight nursing requirements vary from state to state. Nationally, all flight nursing programs require RNs to have two to three years of critical care experience, advanced cardiac life support, and pediatric advanced life support certificates. Some states require flight nurses to be trained paramedics or EMTs, and might require certification in neonatal resuscitation, critical care, and as a certified flight RN.

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