NursingLink

Hi dmorse6 - we do have a Flight Nurse career profile available for users. It may be of some help.

Thanks RNdude, I was thinking of doing my ACLS/TNCC after graduation from school (as soon as I can sit for one!) and paying for it out of pocket. I gather from your other posts that your an ER educator, is this a prudent course for someone wanting to work in Critical care/ER? Will this help me get into the Emergency Ward faster or be more attractive to employers? I want to work at ORMC, Florida's only Level One trauma center. Thanks for any advice you can give.

Where I work, we look very hard at people who come with both ER and, ICU experience. Every place is a bit different, but 2-5 years is common. We also require that our nurses have their paramedic license as well (Michigan requirements). Most of the extra certifications, if you can get them it is good, but because each nurse has such a different background, we look for people who have at least gone out of their way to further themselves professionally.

The other major component? Personality. This field can absolutely break a person who cannot think on their feet and take control, tactfully, of hairy situations.

We currently require (within two years of hire):

EMT-P, CFRN, ATLS or TNCC, ACLS, BLS, PALS, NRP
ITLS

We also highly recommend CCRN, and CEN certifications. And, believe it or not, I think I am forgetting a few!

  Basics of our program in IL. for app.onsideration

Critical care experience -- a minimum of three years of it to be considered for a position. Beyond 3 years of critical care experience, flight nurses must possess (or acquire within six months of hire) the following certifications: ACLS, BTLS or Prehospital Trauma Life Support, PALS or Emergency Nurse Pediatric Course, NRP, and TNS or Trauma Nurse Core Curriculum. In addition, flight nurses are trained in field skills such as rapid sequence oral intubation, placement of surgical airways, needle chest thoracentesis, pericardialcentesis, and intraosseous needle placement. Flight nurses must complete yearly airway labs, demonstrate competencies for all types of patient age groups, and attain a minimum of 22 hours of continuing education hours on critical care related topics yearly.



The role of the flight nurse is not limited to patient care and technical skills. Nurses must demonstrate excellence in communication and customer service skills. They must be willing to participate in community service events and participate in the education of prehospital and hospital care providers.

Flight Nurse Guidelines

1. Three years of critical care nursing experience in an ICU or ED.


2. Possess excellent clinical assessment skills.


3. Seek opportunities to develop independent decision making skills, i.e. charge role.


4. Demonstrate an ability to problem solve and be resourceful.


5. Obtain certifications and seek educational conferences and opportunities related to transport.


6. Prehospital care experience, i.e. EMT training, Prehospital RN course.


7. Develop public speaking skills.


8. Obtain nationally recognized certifications, i.e. CEN (Certified Emergency Nurse), CFRN (Certified Flight Registered Nurse), or CCRN (Certified Critical Care Nurse).