How to Become a Flight Nurse in 3 Steps
**Steps to Start a Career as a Flight Nurse**
Nurses often face trauma situations, and those specializing in this area are known as flight nurses.
These professionals assist patients who require urgent air transport to medical facilities due to the severity of their conditions, making ground travel impossible.
If you’re seeking a nursing specialization that is dynamic and merges empathy with medical expertise, consider exploring the path of a flight nurse.
In this piece, you’ll learn about:
Who flight nurses are, their roles, their workplaces, related careers, the steps to becoming one, additional requirements, and the career prospects and salaries for flight nurses.
**Understanding the Flight Nurse Role**
Flight nurses are RNs with expertise in delivering emergency care on aircraft. They collaborate with doctors and paramedics to provide necessary care during transit.
They frequently handle critically ill or injured patients in challenging environments.
Flight nurses must deliver high-quality care akin to hospital standards, in collaboration with their medical team.
**Traits of an Effective Flight Nurse**
Flight nurses manage life-threatening situations in aircraft settings without the luxury of extensive hospital tools.
Key attributes include:
Analytical skills: Adapting emergency care to the aircraft context demands creativity and swift decision-making.
Advocacy: Patients might be unable to advocate for themselves due to their injuries, so flight nurses ensure their in-flight care is optimal.
Problem-solving: Without typical emergency room resources, flight nurses must address patient needs with available equipment.
**Responsibilities of Flight Nurses**
These nurses assist patients unsuitable for ground transport by providing crucial in-flight care.
Their primary duties include:
Assessing and treating patients upon arrival.
Communicating patient statuses and ETAs to emergency departments.
Administering advanced care and monitoring vital signs during the flight.
Maintaining onboard medical equipment and managing medical inventories.
**Daily Life of a Flight Nurse**
A flight nurse’s day can be hectic as they stabilize trauma patients for transport to medical facilities.
Typical duties involve:
Preparing medical kits for flights.
Monitoring patient health for physical or psychological issues.
Assisting with patient transfer from aircraft to medical facilities.
**Common Medical Cases for Flight Nurses**
Flight nurses handle patients with severe trauma from various incidents, treating conditions such as burns, fractures, head injuries, and spinal injuries.
**Work Environments for Flight Nurses**
Flight nurses can be employed in public, government, or military settings, including:
Hospitals, fire departments, private transport companies, and research facilities.
Government roles may be at federal, local, or municipal levels, while military roles often involve overseas work.
**Related Professions**
For those interested in emergency transport but not aviation, similar roles include EMTs and paramedics.
They respond to emergencies and provide ground medical services during patient transport.
**Becoming a Flight Nurse in Three Steps**
Pursuing this career requires significant experience, typically five years in ICU or emergency settings.
**Step 1 – Earn RN Credentials**
Flight nurses must be RNs with emergency medical training.
Start by obtaining an ADN or BSN. An ADN takes two years at a community college, while a BSN takes four years at a university.
Those with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree can opt for an Accelerated BSN program. RNs can fast-track their BSN through RN-to-BSN programs.
**Pass the NCLEX**
Graduates must pass the NCLEX-RN exam to become RNs, covering eight care areas like care management, safety, and infection control.
**Step 2 – Gain Professional Experience**
Prospective flight nurses should gather five years of ICU or emergency experience to handle trauma cases effectively.
Valuable skills include managing severe trauma in emergency or trauma centers.
**Switching to Flight Nursing**
Current RNs can transition by taking trauma care and emergency transport courses. Medical-surgical nurses can also shift to flight nursing by acquiring relevant certifications.
**Step 3 – Obtain Certification**
The final step is earning the Certified Flight Registered Nurse (CFRN) certification from the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing (BCEN).
**Additional Flight Nurse Requirements**
Flight nurses must renew their licenses every 1-4 years, including continuing education.
CFRN certification needs renewal every four years.
**Career Outlook and Earnings**
The average salary for flight nurses is $86,070, subject to experience and location.
RNs are in demand, with expected growth of 6% from 2021 to 2031.
**Job Satisfaction**
Nurse job satisfaction depends on staffing and performance feedback.
**Career Advancement**
Flight nurses can pursue advanced degrees like MSN or DNP.
Seek advice from professionals in your desired role to explore your career options.
**FAQs**
**What is a flight nurse?** They are RNs providing in-flight medical support for emergency patient transport.
**What is their salary?** The average is $86,070, with variation based on location and experience.
**How do you become one?** Obtain an ADN or BSN, pass the NCLEX, and gain emergency experience.
