How to Become a Flight Nurse

A flight nurse is a registered nurse with specialized training in high level trauma and rescue. Flight nurses can be found everywhere from the flight crews associated with hospitals in major cities to remote areas such as Appalachia and Alaska.

Instructions

1. Obtain a license as a registered nurse. After passing the state board of examination for your respective state, 3 to 5 years of experience in an ICU, CCU or ER situation is required before a prospective student may apply to a flight nurse program. Some programs require that the RN also be an EMT.

2. Be in excellent physical condition. Flight nurses need to have physical strength, agility and stamina, as sometimes the nurse will have to repel down a deep ravine, wade in icy water while holding their equipment pack overhead, or climb a steep incline. This can be a very physically demanding job.

3. Make sure you have excellent patient assessment skills, preferably in a Level I Trauma ER, excellent decision-making skills and up-to-date professional certifications.

4. Contact your local hospital and ask to "ride along" with the flight crew for the day. Note that any observer (as well as any nurse or other crew not needed to pilot the helicopter) may be asked to remain at the scene while the patient is transported to the hospital.

Resources

• Flight Nurse Program at Case Western