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What Is a Flight Nurse?

Sometimes, the outcome of life-threatening medical emergencies depends on how quickly it鈥檚 addressed, and in some cases, patients must be sent to other facilities. Right by their side is a flight nurse, a registered nurse (RN) who monitors their vitals, administers medication, and, if needed, performs life-saving procedures during medical transport. Not all patient transports require emergency flight nurses, but they all need an advanced nurse to provide effective patient care during travel. 

As they care for patients who are in critical condition, flight nurses are a component of critical care nursing, so they also act as trauma nurses and emergency response nurses. Hospitals rely on trauma nurse transport services to support patients on their way to specialized intensive care units (ICUs), where they can receive the care they need based on their illness or injury. 

Flight care nurses are integral to emergency medical services, as their ability to respond quickly and care for patients in the confines of an airplane or helicopter requires advanced emergency nursing skills and expertise. This guide answers key questions about how to become a flight nurse, as well as the unique responsibilities they have and the settings in which they work. 

What Does a Flight Nurse Do?

Flight nursing involves various practices, including but not limited to: 

• Ensuring aircraft are sufficiently stocked with equipment and supplies. 
• Collaborating with care teams composed of pilots, paramedics, physicians and other healthcare professionals. 
• Monitoring ill or injured patients. 
• Providing emergency care and advanced life support. 
• Documenting accurate patient records. 

Amid their daily duties, flight nurses make fast decisions in high-stress conditions. They save lives and offer compassionate care to patients in critical states, especially in cases that require emergency medical flights. 

Where Do Flight Nurses Work? 

Helicopters and airplanes used for critical care air transport are also known as air ambulances, where flight nurses (also known as air ambulance nurses) primarily practice. Sometimes, they work for specific transport methods in roles like helicopter nurse or medevac nurse.  

Military medical evacuation teams, EMS helicopter crews, private companies, air medical services and trauma centers employ flight nurses to provide emergency and critical care at trauma scenes and during inter-hospital transfers. Sometimes, they work as paramedic nurses, with training as both a nurse and paramedic. 

How to Become a Flight Nurse

Flight nurse requirements may vary from place to place, but there鈥檚 a general pathway you can follow. 

Step-by-Step Guide to Becoming a Flight Nurse

1. Earn a nursing degree. Pursue an associate (ADN) or bachelor鈥檚 (BSN) degree in nursing. Many employers prefer a BSN. 
2. Pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) exam. Obtain an RN license.鈥� 
3. Gain professional critical care experience. Work for two to three years in emergency departments, critical care units or ICUs to develop the emergency nursing skills you need. Some employers may require more experience. 
4. Become a Certified Flight Registered Nurse (CFRN). A CFRN certification positions you as an expert, equipped with specialized critical care nurse skills. It鈥檚 highly recommended and often mandatory. 
5. Start building your certification portfolio. 
   • Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN)
   • Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN)
6. Complete mandatory certifications. 
   • Basic Life Support (BLS)
   • Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
   • Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
   • Transport Professional Advanced Trauma Course (TPATC) 
7. Optional: Boost your resume with additional certifications. While not mandatory, you can position yourself as a strong candidate with extra credentials:鈥�
   • Prehospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS)
   • Trauma Nurse Core Course (TNCC) 
8. Optional: Further your education with a master鈥檚 degree (MSN). Advance your nursing career with a graduate-level degree.鈥� 

Skills and Qualities of a Successful Flight Nurse

• Clinical competence: Flight nurses address life-threatening matters and must have advanced medical response knowledge. 
• Critical thinking: Complex situations arise that need attention quickly, so it鈥檚 paramount to thoughtfully determine the best course of action for the patient. 
• Adaptability: Airborne patient care requires flight nurses to practice agility in what would otherwise be an unideal space for medical attention. 
• Problem-solving: Various hiccups can occur during medical transport, requiring a strong ability to make decisions and address issues effectively. 
• Composure under pressure: From patients in life-threatening conditions to the physical and mental pressure of air travel, flight nurses must stay composed to make decisions and keep patients calm. 
• Communication and teamwork: Coordinating with providers, pilots, patients and loved ones requires clear, compassionate communication. 
• Physical and mental stamina: Any position that involves critical care situations can take a toll on your body, so being in shape as well as mentally strong is vitally important.  

Flight Nurse Job and Salary Outlook

A flight nurse鈥檚 salary is often affected by various factors, such as: 

• Location (rural versus urban) 
• Level of education and certifications 
• Flight hours 
• Employer type (hospital, private organization, military) 

Employers often offer generous benefits and perks that include additional pay when working extended shifts, hazard pay, signing and/or retention bonuses and more. 

RNs, including flight nurses, earn an average annual salary of $93,600.¹

RN employment is projected to grow 5% from 2024 to 2025 in the United States.¹

¹