Flight nurses often work in cramped spaces with loud noise and turbulence, but they still perform life-saving procedures sometimes even delivering babies while flying hundreds of miles above the ground
Aboard aircraft such as helicopters and fixed-wing airplanes used for medical transport.
Also operate in various settings including air ambulance services, hospitals with transport programs, military medical evacuation units, and emergency medical services.
Their work often involves responding to accidents, natural disasters, and transporting patients between medical facilities, so they may also spend time at hospitals, trauma centers, and airports or heliports.
What do they actually do?
Provide emergency and critical care to patients during air transport, typically in helicopters or airplanes.
Assess and stabilize patients, monitor vital signs, administer medications, and perform life-saving procedures while in flight.
Work closely with flight paramedics and pilots to ensure safe and efficient transport, and they prepare patients for transfer to hospital teams upon arrival.
Respond to accidents, disasters, and medical emergencies in remote or hard-to-reach areas.
What kind of person does this?
Calm under pressure Compassionate Highly adaptable
Thrive in fast-paced, high-stress environments and are confident in making quick decisions
Detail-oriented Resilient Physically fit to handle demanding situations
Strong commitment to helping others.
Comfortable working both independently and as part of a team in unpredictable settings.
What skills do you need?
Strong clinical skills to provide advanced medical care, including monitoring vital signs, administering medications, and performing emergency procedures.
Excellent critical thinking and quick decision-making abilities to respond to rapidly changing patient conditions.
Good communication and teamwork skills are essential for working effectively with pilots, paramedics, and hospital staff.
Physical stamina
Adaptability
Knowledge of aviation safety and flight physiology are important for working in the challenging environment of air transport.
How much money can you make?
Entry Level: Around $70,000 to $85,000 per year Mid Level (3–7 years experience): Around $85,000 to $100,000 per year Experienced (8+ years): Around $100,000 to $115,000+ per year
