Learn how to become a flight nurse in five steps: Research nursing degree programs; earn a nursing degree; pass the nurse licensure exam; gain three to five years of clinical experience; and meet other flight nurse requirements, such as earning additional nursing certifications.
A flight nurse helps stabilize critically injured or ill patients who require transportation to a hospital via aircraft. This nursing career is a specialized pathway that requires both academic credentials and clinical nursing experience. Learning how to become a flight nurse could be a good choice for you if you’re interested in working in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment.
If you have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree or college credits and are interested in a nursing career, Averett University’s Accelerated BSN (ABSN) program can facilitate a quick career transition to nursing. You could graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in as few as 16 months and enjoy a hybrid learning experience with personalized student support.
Before transitioning careers, learn the answers to common flight nursing questions, such as “What is a flight nurse’s job like?” and “How long does it take to become a flight nurse?” and learn how to become a flight nurse.
What Is a Flight Nurse?
A flight nurse is a registered nurse (RN) who works with patients aboard helicopters or fixed-wing aircraft. Known as a medical evacuation (medevac) flight, their services are called when an ambulance cannot reach a patient or if the patient’s condition is severe and must be transported to a hospital faster than an ambulance can. While aboard a medevac flight, patients can receive stabilizing, life-sustaining medical care, delivered by specially trained flight registered nurses.
What Does a Flight Nurse Do?
A flight RN’s mission is to care for patients while in transit. In addition to working on high-risk trauma patients, this RN may also provide care to patients being transported from one medical facility to another and patients involved with time-sensitive organ donation.
A flight nurse’s job duties generally include:
- Administering medications
- Assessing the patient’s condition
- Keeping the patient calm, conscious and as comfortable as possible
- Performing advanced resuscitation techniques
- Preparing the patient for life-saving treatment at the medical facility
- Securing the patient aboard the flight
- Starting intravenous (IV) lines
Flight nurses can work on all types of aircraft and may be civilians or military members. They work with patients across the lifespan with a range of life-threatening medical conditions, from traumatic injuries to stroke and beyond.
In addition to flight nursing, there are many other alternative careers in nursing.
Flight Nurse Requirements
To become a flight RN, you’ll need to earn a nursing degree, such as a BSN, pass the NCLEX-RN licensing exam and gain at least three to five years of clinical experience in a relevant specialty. It’s also helpful to obtain nursing certifications in relevant specialties, such as emergency nursing or critical care nursing.
In addition to the academic requirements, clinical experience and nursing certifications, it’s helpful to cultivate specific characteristics and traits that benefit flight nurses. These traits include:
- Clear communication
- Empathy and compassion
- Physical stamina
- Quick reaction time using excellent problem-solving skills
- The ability to stay calm in high-pressure situations
How to Become a Flight Nurse: Step by Step
How long does it take to become a flight nurse? It varies, depending on your starting point. If you have a completed non-nursing bachelor’s degree or at least 60 credits, you may be eligible to graduate in as few as 16 months with Averett’s ABSN program after completing prerequisites. This can considerably shorten the time required.
Meeting the flight nurse requirements involves the following:
- Earn a BSN: Four years or under two years in an accelerated BSN program
- Pass the NCLEX-RN and obtain licensure: At least one to two months
- Gain clinical experience: At least three to five years
1. Earn a Nursing Degree
While several different nursing degrees can pave the way to becoming a flight nurse, there are many benefits to earning a BSN. A BSN is the minimum degree requirement for graduate programs, and according to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, studies have shown that higher proportions of BSN-educated nurses in a hospital setting contribute to positive patient outcomes.
A traditional BSN program takes four years to complete; however, if you have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree or college credits, you may qualify for an accelerated program that allows you to leverage your experience towards earning a BSN in less than two years. For example, Averett’s ABSN program allows you to earn a BSN in as few as 16 months.
The ABSN program takes a hybrid approach. You’ll work through online nursing coursework to learn core nursing concepts. During onsite nursing skills labs and simulation labs, you’ll develop hands-on skills using realistic medical manikins and participate in simulated patient case scenarios to develop clinical judgment.
The final component of the nursing degree program is clinical rotations. You’ll be placed in medical facilities where you’ll provide direct patient care under the supervision of your preceptor. Clinicals enable you to apply what you’ve learned and develop patient interaction skills.
2. Pass the NCLEX-RN and Become a Registered Nurse
After earning your BSN, you’ll be eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN, the national licensure exam all aspiring RNs must pass. The NCLEX-RN is challenging, and you’ll need solid clinical knowledge, but the exam doesn’t test solely rote memorization.
Instead, the exam tests a nurse candidate’s ability to accurately assess a patient scenario and identify the most appropriate, evidence-supported clinical response. In other words, you’ll also need strong analytical reasoning and critical thinking skills to ace the exam.
After passing the NCLEX-RN, you can apply for state licensure. Once you receive your nursing license, you’ll officially be an RN, ready to pursue your first nursing job.
3. Gain Critical Care Experience
Your first nursing job won’t be aboard a medevac flight. An aspiring flight nurse will first need at least a few years of clinical experience at the bedside. Because flight nursing is a high-pressure environment, it’s best to pursue your first nursing job in a similarly high-pressure setting. For example, you might apply for jobs in an emergency room, critical care unit or intensive care unit (ICU).
Remember that a nurse’s education is never complete. It’s imperative to keep an open mind and actively seek learning opportunities during your first few years on the job. Solicit feedback from nurses and broaden your nursing education, such as reading nursing journals. You also must complete continuing education courses to keep your nursing license active.
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4. Obtain Additional Nursing Certifications
After you’ve gained some clinical experience, you may pursue nursing certifications that can bolster your credentials as an aspiring flight registered nurse. All nurses can benefit from having Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications. A flight nurse may also want to pursue the Certified Flight Registered Nurse (CFRN) certification and the Transport Professional Advanced Trauma Course (TPATC).
The TPATC learning experience, offered by the Air & Surface Transport Nurses Association (ASTNA), is a two-day course that teaches nursing knowledge and skills for managing patient transport, high-risk patients and multiple-trauma patients.
Holding these credentials can enhance your nursing qualifications. Keep in mind that you may not be eligible for certain certifications until after you’ve gained flight nursing experience.
5. Apply for Flight Nurse Positions
Once you’re ready, you can apply for your first flight nursing job. Many healthcare and related organizations hire flight nurses, including hospitals, trauma centers, independent medevac companies and fire departments. When submitting your CV, be sure to highlight your relevant skills in critical care, trauma care or emergency nursing, as well as important soft skills like the ability to think calmly under pressure.
Flight Nurse Salary and Job Outlook
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that all RNs earned a median annual salary of $93,600 as of May 2024. Although the BLS does not offer employment data specific to flight nursing, nurses who have more clinical experience and certifications, and who work in advanced nursing specialties, may have a stronger earning potential.
Additionally, the job growth is promising for nurses. The BLS projects a 5% job growth rate for all RNs from 2024 through 2034, faster than the average for all professions.
Start Your Flight Nurse Journey With Averett’s ABSN Program
At Averett, students develop a firm foundation of nursing competencies that serves them well, no matter their nursing specialty. As an ABSN student, you’ll enjoy small class sizes and receive personalized guidance from our Academic Success Coaches and dedicated faculty. There is no waitlist, and you can choose from three start dates per year.
Contact an Averett ABSN admissions advisor today to request more information. They will answer your questions and help you navigate each step of the admissions process.