7 minute read
THE UNSUNG HEROES OF THE SKY
UNIQUE NURSING ROLES
Adventures in Flight Nursing
By April Rowe, RN
THE ROLE OF A FLIGHT NURSE goes well beyond traditional nursing skills. They are specially trained registered nurses who care for patients while being transported in planes or helicopters. They must adapt quickly to challenging environments and provide critical care for patients with life-threatening injuries or illnesses in a compact space. Flight nursing requires advanced clinical skills, extensive knowledge of emergency medicine, and the ability to remain calm under pressure.
Imagine providing critical care to patients in the back of a helicopter or plane in remote locations or during extreme weather. How about placing an IV while experiencing major turbulence? To say that flight nurses are the most skilled and exceptional group in our field would be an understatement.
Felino Taruc, BSN, RN, CCRN, CFRN, from Albuquerque, New Mexico, shared what it’s actually like to experience nursing on a whole different level and literally off the ground! For the last three and half years, Felino has been working as a flight nurse and couldn’t be happier with his career transition.
I always wanted to be a flight nurse because of the specialty and high standard they are held at. I wanted to be the best, and flight nursing is definitely one of them.
Turning His Dreams Into Reality
Felino had always dreamed of becoming a flight nurse, so his hard work in school and the nursing experience he obtained once he graduated naturally led him down this career path. “Flight nursing is surprisingly not a very popular or well-known specialty in nursing. I always wanted to be a flight nurse because of the specialty and high standard they are held at. I wanted to be the best, and flight nursing is definitely one of them,” Felino explained.
To ensure he had the critical care experience required to become a flight nurse, Felino immediately started working as a new grad in the intensive care unit (ICU). He worked there for three years and then became an ICU travel nurse to gain even more high-acuity nursing experience in preparation for applying to flight nursing jobs.
The Unique Role Of A Flight Nurse
Becoming a flight nurse isn’t easy. Once you have three to five years of critical care or high-acuity emergency nursing experience, you can begin the application process. Flight nurses are the best of the best, so you can certainly expect a grueling interview process. Many companies require applicants to pass an exam before being considered for an interview.
If you are lucky to be hired, you will then begin an extensive training program. New hires will spend weeks on the ground in training before they get to board a flight. They will continue training and only do ‘fly-alongs’ for the first months before they are allowed to practice on their own. Flight nurses also perform advanced skills like intubation, chest tube placement, and cricothyrotomies.
Felino pointed out, “Flight nursing is unique because you aren’t in the hospital setting; you’re working in an ICU in the back of a helicopter or plane. You’re not just a nurse but also a first re- sponder, a transporter, a pharmacy tech, and a crew member who must be somewhat knowledgeable in aviation. It’s also just you, your teammate, and the pilot. It’s a very autonomous job, and you don’t have extra help up there like you do in the hospital.”
The Pros And Cons Of Flight Nursing
No job is perfect, and flight nursing has its upsides and downsides. Felino explained the best aspects of being a flight nurse:
“What I like most about my job is the difference between the hospital setting and flight nursing. I love high acuity ICUs, but you can get really burned out with patient ratios. With flight nursing, you have one patient at a time. Practicing at that higher level and having to stay sharp throughout my career is really inspiring to me, and there’s no room for complacency.”
Flight nurses face serious challenges. Because they practice nursing in a moving helicopter or plane, safety is a major concern for this type of role. “Many people are reluctant to try flight nursing because of the risk of crashing. Crashes do happen, and it’s a very sad reality, but most companies have a really good safety culture, and they do a lot to mitigate risk,” added Felino.
Many flight nurse companies truly value their teams and implement a culture focused on safety and mental health. “Our company has therapists available 24/7 for both the crew on the ground and in the air. If we’re not able to give 100% at work, like when we are sick or really distracted, the company allows us to take time off when we need it. Flight nurses really do feel appreciated,” said Felino.
The schedule of a flight nurse can either be considered a pro or a con. Felino works 24 hours a day for five days in a row, followed by ten days off. He sleeps at the hangar, which has rooms similar to those in hotels and a kitchen.
The team doesn’t have to work for 24 hours straight, and Felino’s company has a time-out policy to ensure the team gets plenty of rest. After about 14 to 16 hours of patient care and flying, the team is required to rest or sleep for 10 hours before they can go out on another call.
Characteristics of A Good Flight Nurse
Not everyone is cut out for flight nursing. Fight nurses must have an adventurous side to them and can’t have a fear of heights or small spaces. They must be able to work well under pressure and actually enjoy those moments when adrenaline is at its peak. “The best flight nurses are those who want to practice at a higher level and always want to learn. They can’t ever be complacent and always want to push their own limits. They must be very present and motivated but are also humble and flexible in their practice,” mentioned Felino.
“It’s never too late to be a flight nurse. You have to be somewhat healthy to do this job, but there’s no age limit as long as you can meet the physical requirements. There are weight limits to consider, and it’s usually around 225 pounds with all of your equipment on,” added Felino.
While being a flight nurse can be physically demanding and emotionally challenging at times, it is also an incredibly rewarding and exciting career path. You get to practice skills far beyond those performed by nurses in the hospital setting. For adrenaline-junky nurses who find excitement in flying and caring for critically ill patients of all ages, flight nursing might just be the perfect career for you.
Certification Requirements for Most Flight Nurses
Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP)
Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS)
Prehospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS)
Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN)
Certified Flight Registered Nurse (CFRN)
Follow Felino’s Adventures!
TikTok: FlightNurseFelino
Instagram: FelinoLino
YouTube: Felino Taruc
