How to Become a Flight Nurse

A flight nurse fills the important role of retrieval and care for an injured individual on the scene of an accident, and in transit by aircraft to the hospital. These nurses begin as registered nursing professionals and move on to this often dangerous, but satisfying, and extremely well-paying job. The added responsibility, training, and abilities of flight nurses results in higher pay and even greater job stability in an already stable job market. If you are ready for this challenge career, read now about how to become a flight nurse!

Flight Nurse Job Description and Basic Requirements

A flight nurse is an independent thinker and critical problem solver. They are caring, compassionate, and comforting to their patients, and have a strong ability to assess a patient’s needs. Flight nurses, when working in the field, often come across heavy lifting or otherwise laborious tasks, and therefore must be very physically able and willing to put themselves at risk in order to save those who are endangered.

If this sounds like you and you are thinking of going back to school, getting a nursing degree is a great career choice—available at many of the top online universities, a registered nurse begins with an associate’s degree or bachelor’s degree to get into the field. These courses are available through online programs and can be completed in no time—this is especially convenient for those already busy with jobs and families. While an associate’s degree is the minimum educational requirement for this career path, it is beneficial to complete a bachelor’s degree, and to even consider an online master’s degree. How to become a flight nurse starts with your education, and is a great distance education option.

Required Special Training

As previously mentioned, a flight nurse is required to begin their career training as an RN (or registered nurse). They must work in an ICU, ER, or CCU setting for a few years, usually five at the most, to get their fundamental skills established on the floor of a hospital. After completing this period of being a nurse, you can apply to become a flight nurse, based on your experiences and skills developed thus far. To help this process along, you can complete training as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), which will draw upon more critical care skills. Overall, to make the transition from a registered nurse on the floor of a hospital to a flight nurse aboard aircraft and out in the field, a nurse must show their abilities through educational background paired with a few years of experience. Any additional education and opportunities you have available, get at them! Make your education and background stand out from the rest!

Flight nurses can be employed by hospitals, airlines and even military aircraft positions. The career outlook as well as salary earnings are high, and all while fulfilling a challenging but important role in the health care field. Starting your education in nursing, a great online degree option, is the first step in how to become a flight nurse. Enroll in your online degree today!