RNs that make it onto a plane or rescue helicopter have earned some serious stripes in the Nursing Industry. Most employers require two to three years of nursing experience in a critical care, emergency, or intensive care environment prior to flight nursing. Safe patient transport on and off the aircraft also requires considerable physical strength. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site. A flight nurse assists patients during air transportation. You can help advance your qualifications with membership in the Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) and by opting to take the Certified Flight RN exam. Prepare to launch your career as a flight nurse. The key to landing a flight nurse job: the more advanced and trauma-targeted your training, the better. Flight nurses must keep this in mind as they treat their patients in a loud, chaotic environment. Accessed: July 2018. Depending on the credentials and their granting bodies, some certifications are only available after you have completed graduate study. Chose your state below to browse your options. Many colleges across the country offer campus-based courses. Most nurses choose to earn their degree through the traditional route, which is earning a Bachelors of Science in Nursing (BSN). The common trait shared by all flight nurses is their ability to administer life-sustaining care in a pressurized environment. As a flight nurse, you have a unique opportunity to comfort those in distress and make a … Flight nurse job positions are limited and not available everywhere. © 2020 Nursing.org, a Red Ventures Company. Delivering medical care onboard an aircraft can be challenging due to limited space. While flight nursing is a highly specialized area of the field, there is no degree program specifically targeted toward the specialization. Flight Nurse Military Requirements. If you notice any errors in the database below or are a college or university that is not represented here, please contact us. Flight nurses are highly trained in advanced lifesaving procedures, and must have the confidence to make quick decisions about treatment in the absence of an on-the-ground medical team. Source: Data taken from Payscale. First of all, you need to decide which branch of the military you want to work with. If you are an accredited, not-for-profit institution that offers an online flight nurse program and that isn’t listed, please contact us with details about your program, a link to your program page and proof of accreditation. Based on our research, it seems that even if a nurse is qualified to be a flight nurse, they might not get the job because of … The rigorous training and experience requirements for this job, as well as the extreme work environment, also ensure that you’ll earn a high salary in the field. To become a flight nurse in the United States, you first will need to become a registered nurse by completing a nursing program at a regionally accredited college or hospital and passing a national exam.You also are advised to have at least two years of experience working as a nurse in the critical care unit or emergency room of a hospital. Prospective RN flight nurses may be required to complete in-flight clinical hours to meet job pre-requisites, as well. You may qualify for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) by earning an Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN, or ADN) or a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing … Furthermore flight nurses are seriously committed to their jobs, so there is hardly a glut of openings. You can help advance your qualifications with membership in the Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) and by opting to take the Certified Flight RN exam. If you can do this successfully for a few years then you may be ready to compete for a flight nurse job. To recap this article on flight nurse weight requirements, weight and height play a crucial factor on the plane because of limited space and carrying capacity of the aircraft. Critical Care nurses are often considered as well. A career as a flight nurse begins with receiving the proper education. These patients have been injured so grievously that standard ground transportation may risk the patient’s life. In the air, flight nurses are generally standing, crouching, or bending over to attend to the patient. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site. Accessed: September 2018. Independent medical evacuation or transportation companies, U.S. Military reserves, domestic emergencies. Flight nursing, in and of itself, is not packaged into any formal nursing school degree. Perhaps the most visible part of the flight nurse’s job are the medical evacuations that treat trauma victims, commonly known as life flights. Earn a nursing degree. Other possible certifications and qualifications include: 1. Most patients are in flight because their medical situation is dire. Position Prerequisites: • NYS Registered Professional Nurse, B.S.N. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. The goal of each mission: to triage, stabilize and transport as many victims as possible to a medical center able to more adequately handle these types of incidents. Flight Nurse Requirements. Experience. 3. Outside of this credential, there are a number of advanced nursing specialty certifications that can benefit working flight nurses. nursingschool.org is an advertising-supported site. Flying is a frightening experience for many people and, when combined with a medical emergency, can be downright terrifying. Most employers require at least a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN), although they are more likely to require the master of nursing (MSN) for this position. These are not jobs open to new grads still wet behind the ears from nursing school. When browsing an online program, always confirm the school’s accreditation status, business model, and reciprocity within your state. As a Flight Nurse, you'll brief medical force support at the medical facility on continuing nursing care and requirements. You may even get an opportunity to work with humanitarian outreach programs, aiding victims of natural disaster or conflict. Specialized training in flight nursing is required for this job. To effectively liaise with the medical team at the receiving facility, flight nurses must communicate crucial details about the patient’s history and current health. 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