[hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”aboveTheFold” /][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]A flight nurse is a highly trained healthcare professional who delivers pre-hospital patient care aboard an aircraft. These nurses are part of a critical care team that treats extremely compromised patients in an unstable environment. Typically, a flight nurse’s patients have either undergone significant trauma that requires speedy evacuation to a medical facility or quick transport from one hospital to another.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”/careers/military-nurse/”]Military flight nurses[/hen-ui-link] working overseas may treat soldiers who have been wounded on the battlefield. The common trait shared by all flight nurses is their ability to administer life-sustaining care in a high pressure environment.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]What is a Flight Nurse?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]In many cases, the flight nurse’s actions save lives. The rigorous training and experience required for this job, and the extreme work environment, ensure professionals earn a high salary. According to PayScale, the [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Flight_Nurse/Hourly_Rate” target=”_blank”]median salary[/hen-ui-link] for an entry-level flight nurse with full credentials is $71,353 per year. Additionally, nursing jobs as a whole are expected to grow steadily, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics projecting a 7% increase in nursing jobs from 2019-29.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]What Do Flight Nurses Do?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Flight nurses aid in medical evacuations — commonly known as life flights — to treat trauma victims. These patients have been injured so grievously that standard ground transportation may risk the patient’s life. Flight nurses stabilize these patients as much as possible, providing emergency care and preparing the patient for treatment. Duties range from basic first aid to starting IVs, administering medication, or performing advanced resuscitation techniques.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Another common scenario involves patient transfer between facilities. Patients might need to be moved to obtain lifesaving treatment unavailable at the original facility, or to relocate to another part of the country for other reasons. Secondary to patient comfort and safety, flight nurses liaise with medical professionals at the receiving facility, ensuring all case notes and patient files get to the right person.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Where Do Flight Nurses Work?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Flight nurses work on helicopters and fixed-wing aircrafts, including propeller and jet planes.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″]Potential Work Settings:[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”belowTheFold” /][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]How to Become a Flight Nurse[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]To [hen-ui-link href=”/careers/flight-nurse/how-to-become/”]specialize as a flight nurse[/hen-ui-link], individuals should obtain registered nursing (RN) licensure. This requires either an associate degree in nursing (ADN) or a [hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/bsn/”]bachelor of science in nursing[/hen-ui-link] (BSN). After completing academic requirements, RN candidates must pass the NCLEX-RN exam, which evaluates their foundational knowledge or nursing practice.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]RN candidates apply for RN licensure from their state’s regulatory board. To learn about the specific requirements to earn licensure, such as the number of clinical hours needed, check the state law first.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]After earning licensure, flight nurse candidates must complete 3-5 years of experience as an RN, usually in the ICU or ER. They can then apply for certification as a flight or air transport nurse. Military flight nurses need several weeks of specialized training as well.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Learn more about how to [hen-ui-link href=”/careers/flight-nurse/how-to-become/”]become a flight nurse[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Education and Experience[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]RN licensure requires either an [hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/adn/”]ADN[/hen-ui-link] or BSN. An associate degree typically lasts two years for full-time students, while a [hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/bsn/four-year-bsn-degree/”]bachelor’s degree[/hen-ui-link] takes four years to complete. An ADN usually includes foundational [hen-ui-link href=”/articles/common-courses-you-will-take-for-your-rn-degree/”]nursing classes[/hen-ui-link], teaching RNs the essentials of nursing. A BSN includes more general education courses, and students may take more specialized nursing courses than are available through an ADN.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-card variant=”background-gray”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Because working as a flight nurse involves a significant amount of pressure, earning a more advanced degree can help nurses hone their skills and improve their chances of success. Therefore, some flight nurses earn a [hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/msn/types-of-masters-degrees-in-nursing//”]master of science in nursing[/hen-ui-link] (MSN). An MSN generally lasts around two years, although students can find accelerated degrees or enroll part time if they want to work while studying.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]After completing their degrees and earning licensure, RNs should build their experience. Working in a high-pressure environment like an ICU or ER can serve as invaluable on-the-job training before becoming a flight nurse. RNs need at least 3-5 years of practice in this work environment, although the more experience, the better.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-card] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″ class=”font-bold text-white font-body mt-0″]Flight Nurse Certifications[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The next step involves obtaining flight nurse certification. These credentials can help nurses find a position as a flight or air transport nurse, especially if they do not have previous experience working in planes.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Nurses can choose from several options. The Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing offers the [hen-ui-link href=”https://bcen.org/cfrn/” target=”_blank”]Certified Flight Registered Nurse[/hen-ui-link] (CFRN) specialization. For this credential, candidates need RN licensure and must pass a certification exam. Interested individuals can find free [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.testprepreview.com/cfrn_test_breakdown.htm” target=”_blank”]exam preparation materials here[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The Air and Surface Transport Nurses Association offers the two-day [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.astna.org/page/TPATCProvider” target=”_blank”]Transport Professional Advanced Trauma Course[/hen-ui-link]. This intensive course covers topics like transport physiology and pregnancy trauma, and nurses can add this course to their resumes as an additional credential.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Flight Nurse Salary and Job Growth[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) does not provide job and salary data for flight nurses specifically, but the BLS database shows that RNs overall make median annual salaries of about $73,300. Data collected by PayScale notes that flight nurses earn an [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Flight_Nurse/Hourly_Rate” target=”_blank”]average yearly salary of $71,353[/hen-ui-link]. PayScale data also shows that salaries for flight nurses generally range from $58,000-$102,000.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Additionally, the BLS projects that the number of available RN jobs could increase by about 222,000— or 7% — from 2019-29. The BLS attributes this projected increase to the number of baby boomers who require increased medical attention as they age.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Flight Nurse Frequently Asked Questions[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]How hard is it to become a flight nurse?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Becoming a flight nurse takes a considerable amount of dedication. Flight nurses cannot go into the field right away; instead, they need the proper educational preparation, years of experience, and certification.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]How long does it take to become a flight nurse?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]It can take anywhere from 5-12 years to become a flight nurse. Some can become a flight nurse in five years with an ADN and three years of experience. However, because of the intense nature of the job, it usually takes more preparation to enter this career. Very often flight [hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/bsn/four-year-bsn-degree/”]nurses pursue a four-year bachelor’s[/hen-ui-link] degree and need at least five years of experience. RNs can expect to dedicate about nine years to becoming a flight nurse.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Is being a flight nurse dangerous?[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]It can be. Adverse weather or environmental conditions can increase the risk of danger when working as a flight nurse. In fact, the Washington Post reported that working on a medical helicopter is the [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/special/nation/medical-helicopters/fatal-crashes.html” target=”_blank”]second most dangerous job[/hen-ui-link] after commercial fishing. It’s certainly important to know these risks before looking for flight nurse jobs.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]How much do flight nurses make?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Flight nurses make [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Flight_Nurse/Hourly_Rate” target=”_blank”]anywhere from $58,000-$102,000[/hen-ui-link], according to PayScale. Entry-level nurses make an average salary of $51,059, while experienced flight nurses earn about $80,000 annually.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″ style=”text-align:center;”]Explore Related Resources[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-grid columns=”2″ gap=”md”][hen-ui-article-card title=”BSN Overview” href=”/degrees/bsn/” size=”compact” border=”stroke”][/hen-ui-article-card][hen-ui-article-card title=”ADN Overview” href=”/degrees/adn/” size=”compact” border=”stroke”][/hen-ui-article-card][hen-ui-article-card title=”RN Overview” href=”/registered-nursing/” size=”compact” border=”stroke”][/hen-ui-article-card][hen-ui-article-card title=”Guide to The NCLEX Exam” href=”/resources//nclex/guide/” size=”compact” border=”stroke”][/hen-ui-article-card][/hen-ui-grid]