Cecilia is a freelance writer, content marketing strategist and author covering education, technology and energy. She is a current contributor to the Forbes Advisor education vertical and holds a summa cum laude journalism degree from California Poly.
Cecilia Seiter Education WriterCecilia is a freelance writer, content marketing strategist and author covering education, technology and energy. She is a current contributor to the Forbes Advisor education vertical and holds a summa cum laude journalism degree from California Poly.
Written By Cecilia Seiter Education WriterCecilia is a freelance writer, content marketing strategist and author covering education, technology and energy. She is a current contributor to the Forbes Advisor education vertical and holds a summa cum laude journalism degree from California Poly.
Cecilia Seiter Education WriterCecilia is a freelance writer, content marketing strategist and author covering education, technology and energy. She is a current contributor to the Forbes Advisor education vertical and holds a summa cum laude journalism degree from California Poly.
Education Writer Brenna Swanston Deputy EditorBrenna Swanston is an education-focused editor and writer with a particular interest in education equity and alternative educational paths. As a newswriter in her early career, Brenna's education reporting earned national awards and state-level accol.
Brenna Swanston Deputy EditorBrenna Swanston is an education-focused editor and writer with a particular interest in education equity and alternative educational paths. As a newswriter in her early career, Brenna's education reporting earned national awards and state-level accol.
Brenna Swanston Deputy EditorBrenna Swanston is an education-focused editor and writer with a particular interest in education equity and alternative educational paths. As a newswriter in her early career, Brenna's education reporting earned national awards and state-level accol.
Brenna Swanston Deputy EditorBrenna Swanston is an education-focused editor and writer with a particular interest in education equity and alternative educational paths. As a newswriter in her early career, Brenna's education reporting earned national awards and state-level accol.
Updated: Mar 29, 2023, 5:01pm
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Time is of the essence when it comes to saving patients’ lives. In extreme cases, critically ill or injured patients require rapid air transportation to medical facilities. They also need a team of experienced medical professionals to assist them en route. Flight nurses make up a crucial component of that team.
Flight nurses deliver prehospital patient care aboard an aircraft and often have thrilling, challenging and rewarding careers. Here’s how to become a flight nurse.
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A flight nurse is a registered nurse (RN) trained to care for patients during emergency air transport. Flight nurses work alongside other medical professionals, like paramedics and physicians, to ensure patients reach their destinations safely.
Flight nurses wear many hats. They’re primarily responsible for providing immediate medical care to airlifted patients. They assess, triage and treat patients for illness and injury. This can include resuscitation, administering IV drips and medication, monitoring vital signs and ensuring the patient is safely onboarded and deplaned.
When they’re not tending to patients, flight nurses might also clean parts of the aircraft, organize medicines, monitor medications’ expiration dates, file paperwork and conduct daily equipment checks.
Flight nurses must be able to stay steady in high-pressure situations and think on their feet since they receive many patients in critical condition. This role requires excellent communication skills and the ability to work well in confined spaces.
Flight nurses work on medical transport helicopters and airplanes. They can be employed in both civilian and military settings.
On the civilian side, most flight nurses work for hospitals or private medical transport companies. Fire departments, the federal government and search-and-rescue organizations also employ flight nurses for their operations. Some flight nurses work as educators in university hospitals or for aviation companies.
In a military context, many flight nurses work for the Air Force as part of the Aeromedical Evacuation (AE) crew. They’re deployed for airlifting injured and ill service personnel to military hospitals.
Generally, the minimum education required to become a flight nurse is a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN). In some cases, an associate degree in nursing (ADN) might be sufficient to get a job as a flight nurse.
If you plan to work for the Air Force, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree in nursing from an accredited school and a valid U.S. or U.S. territory RN license. Military flight nurses must complete a flying class medical examination and be accepted by the medical unit commander and Air Force Reserve Surgeon General. They must then undergo a 5.5-week training course.
Aspiring flight nurses must pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) to become RNs. Passing the exam is required for every RN planning to practice in the United States.
After passing the NCLEX-RN, flight nurses must apply for licensure in the state where they plan to practice. Regarding how to become an RN, the process varies by state. Certain states require rigorous background checks and verification processes before granting licenses. Other states, like Arizona, Missouri and South Carolina, provide same-day temporary licenses to nurses who meet all requirements.
Becoming a flight nurse requires plenty of hands-on nursing experience. You don’t necessarily need in-flight nursing experience, but at least three to five years of combined ICU/ER or trauma center experience is strongly recommended.
Certification isn’t necessary to become a flight nurse. However, being certified for flight nursing can bolster your resume and enhance your career advancement options. Many flight nurses choose to become credentialed as Certified Flight Registered Nurses (CFRNs). Candidates must be RNs to qualify for the CFRN exam.
It’s suggested that you practice nursing for two years before testing, but this is not a must. The CFRN credential is valid for four years.
Some states have specific certification requirements for flight nurses. Kentucky, for example, requires flight nurses to obtain certification in a neonatal resuscitation program.
Registered nurses overall—not just flight nurses—bring home a median salary of $77,600 per year, or roughly $37.31 per hour, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The BLS projects employment for registered nurses to grow by 6% from 2021 to 2031. That’s on par with the projected growth rate for all occupations. On average, 203,200 registered nursing jobs should open each year throughout that time frame.
This depends on the educational path you follow and whether you enlist in the military or work for civilian organizations. Obtaining a BSN degree takes at least four years. Getting an ADN takes two. You’ll likely need at least three years of RN experience before applying for flight nursing positions.
Flight nursing careers are known to be competitive. Most candidates have spent several years in the field and have taken multiple certification exams to bolster their chances of being promoted.
Flight nurses must be comfortable with working in adrenaline-inducing, fast-paced environments. The stakes are high when transporting critically ill or injured patients. However, this can also make for a highly rewarding career.
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Education WriterCecilia is a freelance writer, content marketing strategist and author covering education, technology and energy. She is a current contributor to the Forbes Advisor education vertical and holds a summa cum laude journalism degree from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.
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