Flights t nursing is a unique and thrilling career, as it takes the basic work of a registered nurse to the next level of excitement and greater responsibilities. Flight nurses have many of the same responsibilities as registered nurses. The major difference is that taking care of patients in the air is done by a flight nurse.
There are two major career paths in flight nursing: (military flight nurse ) and (civilian/general flight nurse). Although the work is similar for both career options, the positions and paths to becoming one differ slightly.
Military flight nursing
Responsibilities:
- The major responsibility of a military flight nurse is to assist the flight physicians in performing emergency medical procedures on needy patients.
- The military flight nurses can take charge if the flight physician is not on board in the emergency conditions.
- The nurses with prior experience handling emergency cases are prioritized in military flight nursing.
- The military flight nurses provide life-saving prehospital treatment to the patient until they are evicted from the site to nearby hospital facilities.
- They need to be calm in decision-making as they have to face constant and repeated emergencies in the military.
Steps to become a military flight nurse:
To become a military flight nurse in most countries’ air forces you must meet the following qualifications.
Get a Nursing Degree:
Getting your nursing degree is the first step toward becoming a military flight nurse, most air forces accept the BSN degree, but it can be different according to the country you want to join as a military flight nurse.
Become a Certified Registered Nurse:
Becoming a certified registered nurse is an essential requirement to become a military flight nurse, as in military flight nursing it is necessary to have a minimum of 1 year of critical care unit experience, and getting experience in the ICU or a critical care unit helps a lot to secure a job in military flight nursing because it improves the decision-making skills during an emergency.
Do flight nurse certification:
Get experience as a general flight nurse by completing any flight nurse certifications in your country, as various countries’ air forces need the certification of experience to become a military flight nurse.
wage /salary:
$67,000 to $90,000 with additional military benefits is expected to pay for a military flight nurse in any first-world country.
Civilian/General flight nurse
Responsibilities:
- Flight nurses are registered nurses who work in planes or helicopters that transport patients from accident sites or from places that don’t have any medical facilities to maintain patients’ critical condition.
- The primary responsibility of a flight nurse is to keep patients’ conditions stable until they arrive at their desired location.
- During transport flights, nurses have to maintain the patient’s vitals, provide patients with first aid, and constant monitoring to critically ill patients.
The flight nurses are responsible for maintaining charts and important documentation of the patient. - The important work of a flight nurse is to ensure the availability of essential medical equipment required in emergencies.
Steps to become a general flight nurse:
Become a registered nurse:
first step is to become a registered nurse, which you can become by completing any bachelor’s degree in nursing for example you can complete your BSN degree. The next step after completing your BSN degree is to pass the (NCLEX-RN) national council license exam after that you become an RN.
Do general flight nurse certification:
Getting a flight nurse certification helps to get a job as a flight nurse easily, as agencies prefer a person with prior flight nursing experience.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
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How much do flight nurses make?
The average flight nurse makes 80000$ to 140000$ a year in first-world countries.
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Best country for flight nurses?
USA should be the priority for any aspiring flight nurse.
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Flight nurse vs registered nurse which is better?
If you want adventure and an adrenaline rush then a flight nurse is a better choice for you. If you want a stable time of work with city life then a registered nurse is a better choice for you.