Injury and illness can strike people no matter which corner of the world they reside. Imagine if someone living in a remote area, where there is no sign of medical attention, meets with something tragic. Should such people be left all by themselves?
Or,
let the destiny decide whether they should die or remain alive. This is not what we, being a civilized society can digest it. Every living being on this earth has a right to get medical treatment irrespective of age, creed, class and sex no matter which corner on the planet they reside. To provide them with medical care and pick up from the place of incident and transit to the nearest emergency unit in a hospital, the government uses the services of critical care transport companies. These companies hire flight nurse to provide the emergency care during the transit process.
This position is assigned to registered nurses after specializing in emergency care training and rescue operation. They work in an airplane, helicopter, ship, bus and train with the certified nursing assistants (CNAs) to carry medical equipments for giving the first aid. These nurses work together as a team with the paramedics and other crewmembers that include flight physicians, pilots, and respiratory practitioners.
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Duties of a Flight Nurse
They have to take care that the patient is alive until he/she reaches the emergency room. Using safety measure and precaution is utmost importance, including the comfort of the patient. The job requires extensive training and experience. They are like a medical analyst who analyzes the condition of the patient and makes a decision on what is right in a situation where the patient is struggling with death.
How to Become a Flight Nurse?
The flight-nursing career is for those who love adventure and are eager to have some sort of excitement where the adrenalin runs high. Registered nurses who have worked in emergency room and intensive care units in hospitals for at least three years are eligible for this job. If you are one, then you must take a training that will help you in providing emergency care on aboard. Flight nursing training programs are offered by some nursing schools. You can also find this course with critical-care transport companies.
You will need training in the physical aspects of blood circulation. You should know how to resuscitate an unconscious person by exciting the cardiac function. Further, you must be able to work with mechanical ventilation, and vasoactive medications. In short, you must complete life-saving training necessary for all ages. Training in Basic Trauma Life Support and Advanced Cardiac Life Support and Intensive Critical Core will help you in getting a job for this position.
Job Opportunities for Flight Nurses
Given the risks and arrays of skills required in the job, most companies and hospitals will offer the flight nursing care position to candidates with five or more years of experience. This is because there is no room even for a minute error on the job. For it will change the course of treatment and bring the patient on the verge of death. Learning while working is a tough job. Therefore, it is mandatory to complete a flight nursing training, including safety policy training. The easiest way to pursue this career is to join the companies that offer training program and an employment after completing the course.
A complete self-assessment is necessary before pursuing a flight nursing care career. First, you will need to work for years as a registered nurse, and then complete the training course and compile years of experience. Then, you will find yourself suitable for the flight nurse position.
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