What is a Flight Nurse? Flight nurses, also known as transport nurses, are registered nurses that are trained to provide medical care as they transport patients in either rotor (helicopter) or fixed-wing (plane) aircraft.
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Travel nurses are not trained to work on an aircraft. They also may not have the emergency medical services training that a flight nurse has. Depending on the job requirements, some travel nurses may be LPNs or allied health professionals. The assignments for travel nurses vary in length.
It depends. If the majority of your flight nursing shift involves providing direct patient care in a critical care setting, yes, you would qualify for admission. However, flight nursing would NOT qualify if you were providing critical care services in short durations or inconsistently.
With the right education, training, and skills, you can take your career to the skies and become a Flight Nurse. Flight nursing is a highly competitive specialty in the nursing field.
The job outlook for flight nurses is very positive, with the demand for their specialized skills and expertise projected to increase faster than the average for all occupations. The employment of registered nurses, including flight nurses, will grow by 6% from 2021 to 2031.
Flight Nurse Height & Weight RequirementsMust be able to pass pre-placement physical exam including functional capacity exam (strength and flexibility assessment, including being able to lift up to 100 pounds), drug screening and background screen. Must maintain body weight below 215 lbs.
A full-time flight nurse may work up to 10 24-hour shifts over four weeks, whereas a part-time flight nurse may only work three 24-hour shifts a month.
A flight nurse can work with a flight physician or work independently, depending on the aircraft personnel and the needs of the patient being transported. Services provided during the flight can vary based on the needs of the patient and each situation.