
A flight nurse is a registered nurse with the training and experience to provide critical care in transport environments. This can be either rotor (helicopter) or fixed-wing, typically working alongside other medical providers such as paramedics, other nurses, respiratory therapists, nurse practitioners, or physicians; they're essential for providing top-level patient care when it matters most!
Now that we’ve established what a flight nurse is, we should discuss what the flight nurse does.
Flight nurses are responsible for many things during their shifts. It typically starts with checking off the aircraft and their equipment, along with their partner for the shift. This also includes checking the expiration dates of their medications and equipment during their daily checks. As a flight nurse, you are expected to be ready to respond to a request within minutes of the call at any time during your shift. During a flight, you may have to assist pilots with navigation and be able to communicate via radio transmission.
Patient care often includes similar duties found within the
and
, but care is provided in a much smaller compartment and in unpredictable situations at times. The scope of care is typically broader than what is found in the traditional ED and ICU. It still includes providing immediate care to your patient. You will still assess your patient and develop your treatment plan based on their triage/assessment. Overall, resources are less than what is found within the hospital setting. Flight nurses must be able to critically think and remain calm in any given situation. They must be always aware of their own safety as well as the safety of their crew and patient. They must be able to easily adapt and handle extreme environments and situations. Autonomy is an important attribute for flight nurses to have.
Patients can range in age from the premature neonate to the frailest elderly. There are specialized programs that focus on certain populations, such as neonates, but this does not mean that as a flight nurse, you will never see this population of patients. There are times when those specialized teams may be unavailable, or your transport team may be the best option for the patient at that given time. You may transport patients on
, with
etc. For the most part, these patients are going to be some of the sickest patients you will encounter, otherwise they wouldn’t need your specialty care. No matter the situation, the key is to be able to critically think about the situation you are in, as well as the type of patient, and devise your treatment plan based on that.
You must be a registered nurse and some companies require a BSN for hire. Typically, you must obtain at least 3-5 years of experience within the ED or ICU. Experience within both areas is looked at favorably. Immerse yourself in education and learning as much as possible, both prior to and after hire. You will be required to obtain an advanced certification within a specified time after hire (usually one year).
The environment consists of working in a smaller compartment alongside your partner. You will be providing care on scenes of medical emergencies as well as within the ED and ICU setting. There will be transfers from hospital to hospital. Flight nurses can work 12- or 24-hour shifts. You are expected to be available and ready to provide care any time of the day or night. This can be in the middle of summer when it is blazing hot or in the middle of winter when it is subzero outside. The changing environmental factors are probably the biggest change for most nurses to become accustomed to. The physical demands and stressors of flight must be considered as well. The vibration from the aircraft and changes in weather conditions can take more of a toll on your body than you would initially expect.
It is very safe. When you consider and look at previous crashes, the large majority are preventable. Most often they are secondary to pushing the limits of the aircraft or thinking that it won’t happen to me. This is where it is important to speak up as a member of that flight crew. It takes
Meaning, all crew members must agree upon taking the flight. If one person feels uncomfortable, then the flight is not taken. Pushing weather is another hazard that has led to previous crashes as well. There are certain minimums that must be met before a flight can be undertaken and those minimums should be always enforced. Having great communication with your pilot and partner is important in these situations. Briefings with the crew occur at the beginning of every pilot shift to discuss the anticipated weather conditions during that shift.
Some states require nurses to hold an emergency medical technician (EMT) license to practice as well.
Once you obtain your
, you will have to obtain 100 hours of
over the next four years to recertify or sit for the exam again. You will also have to maintain PALS, ACLS, BLS, NRP, and an advanced trauma course (such as TNCC, ATLS, or TNATC). You will also be responsible for the company's required education. It is important to never stop studying and learning. The difficult patients you encounter should drive you to continue to learn and advance yourself as a flight nurse.
There are a few societies such as the
and
just to name a few, for networking possibilities. Conferences such as
and
and
are all great resources for continuing education and networking as well.
A seasoned partner is one of the greatest people that can help you when you first enter the industry. Their experience and guidance are such an advantage. As a new flight nurse, you should really look for a mentor who is willing to take the time and help you develop and hone the skills necessary for success.
First, look at the content outline and understand the content that is being tested. This content can be found on the BCEN website along with other useful resources. At FlightBridgeED, we are committed to your success in passing the advanced certification exam on the first attempt. We offer a full review course as well as resource materials and practice exams to ensure that success.
Generally speaking, emergency medicine is focused on the rapid assessment and treatment of acute illness and injury. Critical care medicine is conducted in very structured and controlled settings for the sickest of the sick who require a precise regimen of treatment over a longer period of time from a multitude of specific medical disciplines.
An understanding of pre-hospital emergency medicine AND critical care medicine is required to be an effective flight nurse. FlightBridgeED was created to bridge the gap in nursing training by augmenting traditional RN education and expanding knowledge into pre-hospital/scene response knowledge.
Certification for flight nurses is issued through the
This is the only certification for flight nurses. CAMTS accredited air medical services typically require flight nurse certification (CFRN) in order to be hired or to continue functioning as a flight nurse after a specific period.
As we mentioned, a certified flight nurse is trained in pre-hospital, critical care, and emergency medicine. If you have the experience part taken care of, your next step will be passing the flight nurse (CFRN) exam. This exam is notoriously difficult to pass and is designed to rigorously test your mastery of a massive range of knowledge - it's also expensive. It is highly recommended that you attend a review course prior to sitting for your exam attempt. Once you've completed your review course, you can schedule your exam. The exam is taken in-person at designated, proctored testing centers around the world. The exam consists of 175 questions (25 of which are trial questions and do not count toward your overall score) and requires. You are given 3 hours in which to complete the exam. You will need to answer 106 items correctly to achieve a passing score of 70%. Additionally, the exam will allow you 5 practice questions prior to starting the exam so that you can get a better understanding of the exam system before actually beginning.
Aircraft operations, aerodynamics, aircraft performance, emergency procedures (e.g., fire, de-pressurization, IIMC), landing zone operations, obstacle avoidance procedures, survival techniques, weather patterns, refueling operations, personal wellness (e.g., fatigue, fitness for duty), hazard reporting, communication and radio operations, safety and restraint systems, pre-flight check, passenger briefing, risk assessment, night vision goggle operation (NVGO), GPS and navigation.
Gas laws, hypoxias, stressors of flight, altitude injuries, time of useful consciousness (TUC), pressurized versus unpressurized aircraft cabins.
Airway assessment, anatomy, and physiology, pharmacology, passive oxygenation, failed airway, surgical airway, mechanical ventilation, alternative airway devices, peri-intubation arrest, special airway considerations (e.g., tracheostomy), tube confirmation and monitoring, airway suctioning, waveform capnography monitoring, non-invasive positive pressure ventilation.
The endocrine system, adrenal system, renal system, metabolic, sepsis, infectious disease, toxicology, blood products, gastrointestinal, lab values (e.g., CBC, coag, BMP, ABG, cardiac panel), advanced medical assessments, treatment modalities, invasive line procedures, radiographic interpretation, respiratory system (e.g., Krebs cycle, oxyhemoglobin disassociation curve, intrathoracic pressure).
Neurological assessment, seizures, altered mental status, cerebral ischemia (e.G., large vessel occlusion), neuroprotective strategies (e.g., positioning, hemodynamics, EVD management), cerebral hemorrhage, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injuries, neurological diagnostics (e.G., ct scan), lab values (e.g., coag panel, BMP), pharmacologic agents, monitoring equipment (e.g., ICP monitor).
Multi-lead interpretation, anatomy, mechanical support device (e.g., Impella, ECMO, VAD, IABP), acute coronary syndromes (ACS), cardiogenic shock, heart failure, infectious cardiac disease (e.g., pericarditis, endocarditis, valvular disease), arrhythmias, hypertensive crisis, hemodynamic instability, chronic cardiac conditions, vascular disorders (e.g., AAA, thoracic dissection), electrophysiology, cardiac diagnostics (e.g., ultrasound, cardiac echo), lab values (e.g., cardiac panel), pharmacologic agents.
Trauma/burn diagnostics (e.g., CT X-ray, ultrasound), lab values, pharmacologic agents, monitoring equipment, surgical interventions, blood product administration and management, the lethal triad of trauma, fluid resuscitation, burns (e.g., thermal, electrical, chemical, radiological, fluid resuscitation), toxic inhalation injuries.
Maternal-fetal and neonatal diagnostics (e.g., tocodynamometer), lab values, pharmacologic agents, monitoring equipment, complications of delivery (e.g., cord prolapse, placental abruption), multiple-birth, pre-eclampsia and eclampsia, premature rupture of membranes (PROM), maternal, neonatal.
Pediatric diagnostics, lab values, pharmacologic agents, monitoring equipment, airway disease (e.g., croup, RSV), nonaccidental trauma, fluid/electrolyte replacement, metabolic emergencies (e.g., DKA), special needs (e.g., developmental delays, autism spectrum, hematology-oncology), high-tech (e.g., home vent), infectious disease (e.g., meningitis, re-emergent diseases), airway and ventilator management.
Common accreditation standards, research design, methodologies, and terminology, privacy considerations, JUST culture, evidence-based medicine, ethical considerations (e.g., end of life considerations, DNR), gamut metrics, caregiver PTSD and suicide risk.
Information courtesy of the Board of Certified Emergency Nursing (BCEN). The CFRN logo and the CFRN and BCEN acronyms are the sole property of the BCEN.
If you want to know how we used to treat patients read a textbook, if you want to know how we are treating them now read a professional journal, and if you want to know how we will treat them in the future listen to podcasts, read blog articles, go to professional conferences; find experts in a discipline and ask them to teach you everything they know. We say we "practice" medicine because there is always something new to learn. In the fast-paced profession of a flight nurse, it's important to constantly learn and grow. Just as you studied to become a paramedic initially, you need to continue to study and hone your skills every day. Throughout your career, you'll always need to have a mentor who will help guide you and teach you. A mentor is INVALUABLE. They have been where you want to go and they can show you the way to get there.
Once you become a flight nurse, just as with your professional license, there are requirements that you will need to complete every 4 years in order to maintain your certification. You'll still have to maintain your nursing license requirements as well as your advanced certification requirements. All of our hours at FlightBridgeED can be used for ALL OF YOUR CERTIFICATIONS & LICENSES (your professional license, as well as your Advanced Certifications).
It's important to pass on what we learn to the next generation. The mentors that you have in your life right now won't always be there. It's a sobering thought to realize the responsibility of carrying on the wisdom of those who have come before us and the wisdom we have gained on our own. Never stop seeking wise counsel - never stop seeking a mentor, and never stop being a mentor to others so that you can pass on your legacy to those who come after.
Here is a heavily requested podcast with some great points to get your career started. Give it a listen!
This is our second in a series of two unique podcasts that takes a look at the road to becoming a Flight Nurse. I am joined by Kelly Miller, Regional Clinical Manager for the Midwest Region of Air Methods Corporation. We have received numerous podcast requests on the topic of: What is the best way to achieve the position of Flight Nurse. Kelly comes with a diverse experience level as a nurse in the ED, ICU, and flight nurse in the HEMS industry, with his current role as a Regional Clinical Manager. Take a journey with us as we dive into the best way to obtain a flight position and be prepared for these challenging clinical positions.
The FlightBridgeED flight nurse (CFRN) Exam Online Review Course is the only study system that offers real-world insight from experienced experts with decades of experience in critical care medicine and as professional educators. Our course includes over
and
As much as we would like to, we simply can't make a GUARANTEE, but we can make a COMMITMENT. If you are unsuccessful on your exam attempt, we will assign one of our education team members to you as a personal mentor/tutor and enroll you in an instructor-guided review course at NO ADDITIONAL COST TO YOU.
It's difficult to predict which study tools will work best for you without having some experience with these difficult advanced certification exams. Unlike other programs, our certified flight nurse (CFRN) Online Exam Course was designed by a team of expert educators with decades of experience in critical care practice and preparing paramedics to pass these difficult exams. You'll have access to our carefully crafted and curated set of study tools that will skyrocket your chances for success on your advanced certification exam.
This is true of any field in the medical profession, but it is especially true of medical flight teams. It's a stressful career with long hours and high stakes. But for flight nurses, flight paramedics, and pilots, the entire crew becomes family. That means when you're in the air, or on the ground, you look after each other. It's important to separate your personal life and your work life and to have balance. Problems at home can't stop you from performing when someone else's tomorrow is at stake. When you are on a scene call, you are likely the highest trained medical provider for miles. Sometimes when you are on interfacility transports you may not be the highest trained medical provider, but you may be the person who sees things differently, through the lens of your experience and saves the life of someone at just the right moment. That might sound scary, or like a heavy responsibility (and it definitely is) but that's the job and it should never be taken alone. No matter what happens the person next to you has to know that they can rely on you, just as you rely on them. Medical flight teams are always there for one another at the bedside, or at the base - even if that means staying up late into the night to help someone who needs them more than ever before.
Conclusion
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The time is finally here. Your trip to FAST 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada is just around the corner. You finally have the opportunity to explore new ideas, make new connections, and learn from the most influential leaders in critical care medicine. As you pack your bags and prepare to head off to the desert, you might be wondering what you’ll actually need to pack for the conference. The good news is, you don’t need a lot to attend a conference, but there are a few things you’ll want to pack to ensure that you have the best conference experience possible.
So, here’s our list of the top 10 essentials you need to pack for FAST 2022.
You are the first responder dispatched to a multi-casualty incident (MCI) for a motor vehicle collision on the interstate, with multiple cars on fire and bodies strewn all over the highway. You arrive in the “controlled” chaos with the roadway barely shut down. You immediately smell smoke and see fire everywhere, seeing danger at every step. You are handed the limp body of a three-year-old female child who isn’t breathing and you note a weak pulse on brachial palpation. You start resuscitation efforts and transport her to the appropriate facility. Once you turn over care to the receiving RN and MDs, you and your partner head back into service and move toward the designated call area. As the adrenaline subsides, you are left alone with your thoughts.
A few years ago I was asked to be an expert blog submission writer for a website called Convene First Responders. Convene First Responders is a platform for first responders of all disciplines to share their respective experiences in a format that fosters learning and development. The goal is to break the barriers often seen in our profession and allow people the ability to share so we all can learn. Experiences are the best way to relate to one another and break those barriers we often see.
One account to unlock a universe of discovery