How We Became Flight Nurses: Flight Nursing 101

3 Min Read Published November 5, 2024
How We Became Flight Nurses: Flight Nursing 101

Podcast Episode

>>Listen to "Flight Nurse 101: How to Get Started and What to Expect (With Stephanie Suzadail and Everett Moss II)"

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Flight nursing is a unique and dynamic field that combines critical care and emergency medicine with the excitement of aviation. In a recent episode of Nurse Converse, Stephanie Suzadail and Everett Moss II dive into their own journeys, offering insight into what it takes to become a flight nurse.

Personal Journeys into Flight Nursing

Both Stephanie and Everett started their careers in Emergency Medical Services (EMS), where their unique experiences ultimately guided them toward flight nursing.ย 

Stephanie's Journey: Her path began in high school with a challenging EMT course, which she nearly didnโ€™t complete. But she persisted, gaining experience in EMS and discovering her calling after a life-changing patient transfer incident. Witnessing a flight nurse manage a traumatic situation firsthand, Stephanie knew this was the career she wanted to pursue.

Everett's Journey: Coming from EMS and fire services, Everett was driven by a desire to deliver the highest quality care. Transitioning from a flight medic to a flight nurse, he embraced the challenge of flight nursing as a way to push his skills and make a meaningful impact.

What is Flight Nursing?

Flight nurses provide critical care in pre-hospital environments, usually while en route to a medical facility. Often working with limited resources, they stabilize patients, make swift, life-saving decisions, and ensure safe transport. Itโ€™s a job that calls for a broad skill set, as flight nurses encounter everything from trauma cases to high-risk obstetrical patients.

Minimum Qualifications for Becoming a Flight Nurse

Breaking into the world of flight nursing takes time, experience, and the right certifications. Here are some of the essential steps Stephanie and Everett highlighted:

1. Critical Care Experience

  • Most flight nursing programs recommend at least three years of critical care experience. This experience is crucial as it prepares nurses to handle the high-stakes environment of flight nursing.
  • Preferred Backgrounds:
    • Emergency Departments (ED): Nurses with ED experience are often well-prepared for the fast-paced nature of flight nursing, as they are accustomed to dealing with a variety of acute conditions and emergencies.
    • Intensive Care Units (ICU): ICU nurses bring valuable skills in managing critically ill patients, including the administration of complex medications and the use of advanced medical equipment.

2. Certifications

  • Flight nurses are expected to hold several key certifications that validate their skills and knowledge in critical care:
    • ACLS (Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support): This certification is essential for managing cardiac emergencies and advanced life support techniques.
    • PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support): Given that flight nurses may encounter pediatric patients, PALS certification is crucial for providing appropriate care in emergencies involving children.
    • NRP (Neonatal Resuscitation Program): This certification is particularly important for those who may work with newborns or in obstetric emergencies.
    • Trauma Courses: Many flight programs also require trauma certifications such as PHTLS (Prehospital Trauma Life Support) or TNCC (Trauma Nursing Core Course), which equip nurses with the skills to manage trauma patients effectively.

3. Diverse Patient Experience

  • Beyond the minimum qualifications, it is beneficial for flight nurses to have a diverse range of patient experiences. This includes exposure to various age groups and medical conditions, as well as familiarity with different types of emergencies.ย 

4. Continuous Learning and Adaptability

  • Flight nursing is an evolving field. Being able to learn quickly and adapt to changing situations is key. Flight nurses must be prepared to handle a wide array of scenarios, from transferring patients with heart conditions to managing trauma cases.ย 

The Importance of Networking

For anyone interested in flight nursing, networking is a game-changer. Everett stresses the value of connecting with current flight nurses, visiting bases, and learning directly from their experiences. By building a network, aspiring flight nurses can gain valuable insights and better navigate their way into this challenging role.

The journey to becoming a flight nurse is intense but incredibly rewarding. It requires a blend of experience, a passion for learning, and an ability to handle rapid change. Stephanie and Everettโ€™s stories remind us that the path isnโ€™t always straightforward but can lead to a deeply fulfilling career for those who persevere.

Youtube video

Connect with Stephanie & Everett on social media:

Stephanie, Instagram: @pyrovixi

Everett, Instagram: @the_paramurse

Stephanie Suzadail
MSN, RN
Stephanie Suzadail
Host, Nurse Converse Podcast

Stephanie is a travel flight nurse with over 17 years of experience in emergency medicine. She started as an EMT in high school and went on to become an emergency nurse. She attended Penn College of Technology graduating with her BSN with a minor in psychology in 2014. She went on to obtain an MSN in Forensic Nursing from Duquesne University and an MA in Emerging Media from Loyola University. She is a strong advocate of advanced certification having obtained all of the emergency nursing board certifications. Stephanie has an active presence on Instagram (@PyroVixi) where she assists in coaching future flight clinicians and emergency responders. She serves as the Chair of the Emergency Nurses Association EMS Advisory Council and more recently became an Item Writer for the BCEN’s Certified Flight and Transport Registered Nurse board exams. She has been featured in numerous podcasts and has presented at several nursing conferences and is excited to continue to further contribute to the profession.

Read More From Stephanie
Everett Moss II
DNP, APRN, CRNA, NRP
Everett Moss II
Host, Nurse Converse Podcast

Everett G. Moss II, DNP, APRN, CRNA, NRP is a graduate of Emory University Doctor of Nursing Practice Nurse Anesthesia Program. He currently works at a level I trauma and high risk OB center in South Carolina as well as some locum locations in various states. As an Atlanta native Everett started his career in Emergency Medicine becoming an EMT with the City of Atlanta Fire Rescue Department. From there he transitioned to becoming a Paramedic and also an EMS educator. Everett left fire service and maintained a job as a Flight Paramedic later transitioning to Flight Nurse after completion of Nursing School and gaining experience as an ER and ICU RN. He has worked in a variety of settings as a paramedic and nurse to include administrative, tactical and pediatric vascular access. Everett has taught in various settings and additionally mentors other up and coming paramedics & nurses helping them pursue a clear path to reach their personal and medical goals while developing an unbeatable mindset.

Read More From Everett
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