An Air Force flight nurse works for the Continental United States.
These healthcare professionals operate as senior medical officers for aeromedical evacuation teams.
Air force nurses perform similar tasks as civilian flight nurses.
However, these nurses operate on military missions instead of standard assignments performed by non-Air Force nurses.
It includes extracting individuals and team members from warzones and other high-conflict environments.
What Do Air Force Flight Nurses Do?
Air Force flight nurses provide medical-surgical nursing care and life-saving support during aeromedical evacuations.
It includes assessing illnesses/injuries, stabilizing patients’ conditions, dispensing medications, and providing life support.
They also ensure patients remain comfortable and safe during transportation to a nearby healthcare facility.
Air Force Flight Nurse Duties:
- Perform check-ups, physical assessments, and drug screenings
- Assess the patient’s medical condition (observe and interpret symptoms)
- Evaluate patients throughout the rehabilitation process
- Dispense medications and treatments
- Educate patients about their injuries, illness, and ailments
- Update medical records and documentation
- Triage patients in emergnices
- Provide wound care
- Make nursing diagnosis
- Stabilize injuries and illnesses
- Oversee assistive personnel
- Vaccinate military personnel
- Teach healthcare practices
- Delegate medical tasks and assignments
- Evacuate military personnel and civilians
- Administer life support and emergency care
- Check medical supplies before flight missions
- Plan and prepare for upcoming assignments
- Collaborate with nurses and physicians to develop care plans
- Act as a liaison between the patient and medical staff
Air Force flight nurses effectively provide comprehensive medical care to patients with various health conditions.
It includes everything from combat wounds to state-of-the-art disease procedures.
These specialists plan and prepare various aspects of their missions at the start of their work shifts.
They adequately prepare the aircraft by checking medical equipment, medications, and tools.
It ensures the medical team has adequate medical supplies to treat various illnesses and injuries.
It also enables them to provide fast and effective evacuation when they arrive at the scene.
Most aircraft have limited capacity to effectively treat patients with severe conditions, especially in the long term.
As a result, patients receive critical care at an adequately equipped healthcare facility like a hospital or makeshift structure.
Air Force nurses also act as a liaison between the patients and the medical team (i.e., physicians and hospital staff).
They develop and coordinate patient treatment plans and ensure they receive adequate support at the healthcare facility.
Work Environment
Air Force nurses support rescue operations or aeromedical evacuations when ground units cannot reach a person promptly.
For instance, they provide medical support in areas where the terrain is increasingly difficult to traverse.
It includes mountainous terrain or jungles, flooded areas, battlefields, and natural disasters.
The Air Force also utilizes them in congested areas like cities where traffic and accidents prevent ground travel.
Occupational Settings:
- Air stations
- V.A. hospitals
- Humanitarian relief missions
- Air Force transport units
- Air Force bases
- Onboard military aircraft
- Battlefields/warzones
- Difficult to traverse environments
- Civilian installations and facilities
- Continental and international military sites
Air Force flight nurses operate onboard fixed-wing and propeller aircraft such as jet airplanes and helicopters.
Fixed-wing aircraft typically transfer patients quickly from one healthcare facility to another.
They also enable medical professionals to transport necessary medical equipment and organs/blood over long distances.
In contrast, propeller aircraft like helicopters enable aeromedical crews to land in difficult areas easily.
It includes mountainous terrain, forests, congested areas, onboard ships, and locations where natural diseases occur.
Of course, they operate on battlefields to quickly land, provide medical care, and transport patients to nearby facilities.
Aircraft are significantly more effective for on-the-spot medical care and transportation than ground emergency vehicles.
Medical Team
Just like an ambulance crew supports patients during transportation, Air Force nurses utilize an aeromedical team.
These teams may consist of specialists with diverse medical skills to accommodate various injuries and illnesses.
It includes flight physicians, reparatory practitioners, EMTs, paramedics, and other healthcare specialists.
It enables them to ensure patients receive the best on-site, onboard, and healthcare facility medical care possible.
How To Become An Air Force Flight Nurse
Becoming an Air Force flight nurse is straightforward regarding education and training.
Nevertheless, it requires time, self-motivation, discipline, schooling, and conditioning.
Aspiring flight nurses must also complete numerous steps to acquire employment.
It includes joining a nursing program, earning a BSN, passing the NCLEX, gaining experience, and enlisting in the Air Force.
The following section examines the essential steps required to become an Air Force flight nurse.
1. Join a Nursing Program
The first step to becoming an Air Force flight nurse is to join a nursing program.
To join a nursing program, students must complete multiple prerequisite courses and maintain a good GPA.
The prerequisite courses form a foundation of knowledge that enables nursing students to succeed in the program.
After completing the necessary prerequisites, students may apply for the nursing program.
Some students apply to multiple nursing schools to maximize their acceptance odds.
2. Earn a BSN
Students accepted into the nursing program can pursue an ADN or BSN degree.
The ADN degree takes 18 – 14 months to complete and gives students essential education to enter entry-level nursing jobs.
This degree is ideal for those who want to enter healthcare, earn money and gain valuable experience quickly.
Nevertheless, those interested in becoming Air Force nurses must obtain a BSN degree.
It takes approximately 36 – 48 months to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
However, the BSN provides comprehensive education and training, enabling nurses to specialize in various disciplines.
The Air Force and Military require registered nurses to possess a BSN to enlist.
As a result, some nurses obtain an ADN to quickly gain career experience while pursuing a BSN online or in person.
3. Pass the NCLEX-RN
Unfortunately, obtaining a BSN alone is not enough to become a licensed registered nurse.
Nursing school graduates must also pass the NCLEX-RN exam to practice as registered nurses.
The National Council of State Boards of Nursing administers the exam.
It ensures nursing graduates have sufficient education and training to be competent registered nurses in entry-level jobs.
Passing the NCLEX-RN is also required to acquire state licensure
4. Gain Experience
After passing the NCLEX and satisfying all state requirements, registered nurses may begin working and gaining experience.
Aspiring Air Force nurses must receive a minimum of one year of clinical experience in acute/critical care.
It ensures they have the necessary hands-on training and knowledge to accommodate patients in emergencies adequately.
5. Enlist in the Air Force
Registered nurses who complete the air force requirements can enlist to obtain employment as flight nurses.
Enlisted Air Force flight nurses must complete a flying class medical examination to qualify for the position.
The flying class medical examination ensures Air Force flight nurses understand the principles of drug therapy.
It also ensures they’re familiar with the effects of altitude, which is necessary for aeromedical evacuations.
Demonstrating these competencies is vital to receive approval from the medical unit commander and Air Force reserve general surgeon.
Finally, enlistees must complete 5.5 weeks of commission officer training to qualify to become Air Force flight nurses.
They must also be 18 – 47 years of age and possess a valid U.S. territory registered nurse license.
Air Force Flight Nurse Requirements:
- Have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree (BSN)
- Possess a valid U.S. territory registered nurse license
- Be 18 – 47 years of age
- Have a minimum of one-year clinical experience in acute/critical care
- Complete a flying class medication examination
- Gain acceptance by the medical unit commander and Air Force Reserve Surgeon General
- Complete a 5.5-week commissioned officer training course
- Complete 48 days of technical training
Enlistment Perks and Benefits
Air Force flight nurse nurses may be required to sign a multi-year pledge to serve their nation upon enlistment.
However, these healthcare specialists receive excellent perks to reward their obligations to the Air Force and their country.
It includes student loan reimbursements, tax-free housing, food allowances, low-cost/free medical care, retirement benefits, and other incentives.
Occupational Incentives:
- Sign-on bonuses
- Competitive pay
- Student loan repayments
- Housing stipends
- Home loans
- Life insurance
- Paid sick leave
- 30 days paid annual vacation
- Retirement benefits and pensions
- Health benefits (medical and dental)
- Veteran Administration (V.A.) programs
- Tax-free housing and food allowances
- Discount shopping on-base
- Low-cost or free medical care
- Individual state benefits
- Extensive career training
- Thrift savings plan
- Military discounts
- Free training
- Maintain seniority when moving to other hospitals/clinics
In addition to the perks Air Force flight nurses receive, they keep their seniority when moving to other hospitals or clinics.
Acquiring Air Force experience ensures these experts have an excellent education, medical background, and hands-on training.
It enables them to pursue high-paying nursing careers and specializations after exiting the Air Force.
How Long Does it Take to Become an Air Force Flight Nurse?
It takes roughly 4 – 6 years to become an Air Force nurse, from nursing school to Air Force employment.
Obtaining a BSN in nursing school takes approximately 36 – 38 months.
After that, flight nurses must acquire a minimum of one year of experience in acute/critical care.
Flight nurses must then enlist in the Air Force and satisfy their requirements to acquire employment.