How to Become a Flight Nurse
Flight nurses provide care to patients during air transport. Whether by plane or helicopter, whether emergent or routine, flight nurses are an elite group with a wider scope of practice than many other nursing specialties. To become a flight nurse, the steps include education, testing, and licensing, after which flight nurses can pursue employment. Below, we’ll detail the steps to follow, how long it takes to become a flight nurse, and where to start.
Become a Flight Nurse in 6 Steps
Flight nursing education provides the knowledge needed to treat very sick patients on the move, including those who need emergency care. State licensing is required to practice as a flight nurse, and specialty certifications highlight experts in this field.
1
Graduate With a BSN Degree
Aspiring flight nurses must earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), which grants the title of registered nurse (RN) and allows for state licensure. While one can become an RN with an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), most flight nursing employers require a minimum of a BSN degree.
2
Pass the NCLEX-RN Licensing Examination
Prospective flight nurses can take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) in any state, and its results apply nationwide. Once a passing grade is confirmed, RNs may apply for a state license.
3
Acquire a State License
Each state has different license application requirements, and flight nurses applying for a registered nursing license can find their state’s application process at the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.
4
Gain Critical Care Nursing Experience
Once a new RN has a valid license, they may apply for critical care nursing jobs in the state of their licensure, and many units are willing to hire new graduates. Flight nurses have a lot of autonomy in the air and so must have plenty of experience in an intensive care unit or emergency room before they can work in this position.
5
Earn Flight Nurse Specialty Certification
Some flight nurse positions require specialty certification before employment, while others are willing to hire flight nurses without certification. Specialty certifications for flight nurses can be earned by passing an exam.
6
Apply for Flight Nurse Positions
Once nurses have the experience and required certifications, they may apply for flight nurse positions. Flight nurses may choose to pursue civilian positions or follow the military nurse path.
Schooling Requirements for Flight Nurses
To practice as a flight nurse, candidates must earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. In prior years, nurses of many specialties could choose to graduate with an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN). However, general healthcare hiring trends favor nurses with a bachelor’s degree, especially roles in critical care.
A survey by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing found that over 70% of healthcare employers want new nursing hires to hold a BSN. The National Academy of Medicine announced a goal in 2010 for 80% of RNs to hold a BSN degree by the year 2020. By 2020, at least 65% of nurses held BSN degrees, but in 2023, the 2022 National Nursing Workforce Survey reported that number rose above 70%.
A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) gives future nurses a more well-rounded education experience than an ADN. Typically completed over four years, the BSN curriculum covers the basics of nursing care and how the body works, but also teaches more specialized critical thinking skills. This degree typically takes four years to complete, although some programs offer an accelerated option.
Flight Nurse Licensing
Once a new nursing graduate has earned their degree, they must apply for licensure. Flight nurses must apply for a registered nurse license to practice. To become a licensed and practicing nurse in any state, all nursing graduates must pass the state licensing exam (the NCLEX-RN) and apply for a state license.
NCLEX-RN
The National Council Licensure Examination–RN (NCLEX-RN) is a computer-based exam with 85 to 150 questions. The exam takes anywhere from one hour to a maximum of five hours. Questions fall into four basic categories:
1. Safe and Effective Care Environment
2. Health Promotion and Maintenance
3. Psychosocial Integrity
4. Physiological Integrity
Once completed, the state board of nursing sends test results within six weeks, usually by email. In the time leading up to the NCLEX-RN, it’s important for graduates to study practice questions to ensure a passing grade and many students take NCLEX prep courses to increase their likelihood of success.
Registered Nurse State License Application and Renewal
Each state in the U.S. has a unique registered nurse licensing application process. The state board of nursing will want to see proof of an NCLEX passing result and a diploma from an accredited nursing program. Most states require criminal background checks and fingerprinting, and some may want to see university transcripts.
After initial licensure, RNs must renew their license every two years in most states. Each state has varying requirements on continuing education and other documentation needed for renewal. If a flight nurse wishes to work in a new state, they must apply for a license in that state. However, some states have a “compact” agreement in which one state’s license may be used in other states. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing offers a lot of information on registered nurse licensing requirements by state.
Specialty Certification
Flight nurses typically must have a handful of certifications to practice in this field, including:
Many employers also require flight nursing candidates to have Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN) or Critical Care Nurse (CCRN) certifications until they can earn a Certified Flight Registered Nurse (CFRN) designation from the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing (BCEN).
Where Flight Nurses Work
Flight nurses typically work in air transport roles, which often involve reporting to a central hub and waiting for emergency calls. Once a call is received, flight nurses travel by helicopter or airplane to the location, treat their patients in the field and during transport, and keep them stable until they arrive at the hospital. Sometimes, air transport is scheduled ahead of time, and in these cases, patient conditions are typically critical but not emergent.
FAQs: How to Become a Flight Nurse
1. What is a typical flight nurse schedule?
Depending on the employer, flight nurses may work longer shifts–such as 24 and 48 hours–with several days off in between.
2. Is flight nursing dangerous?
Flight nursing may be more dangerous than other specialties due to increased risk during air travel.
3. What education is needed to become a flight nurse?
Flight nurses must graduate with a four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree from an accredited college or university. After graduation, they may need to earn specialty certifications to practice.
4. How many years does it take to become a flight nurse?
Becoming a flight nurse may take anywhere from two to four years for an undergraduate degree, followed by two to three years of bedside experience before a candidate may be eligible for a flight nurse position.
5. What are the steps to become a flight nurse?
To become a flight nurse, aspiring nurses must apply to and graduate from an accredited nursing school with a BSN degree, pass the NCLEX-RN, and apply for and receive a nursing license in their state. After these steps, they must gain bedside experience, apply to flight nurse positions, and pursue specialty certification.
6. How much do flight nurses make an hour?
Flight nurses make a similar wage to any other registered nurse. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), RNs earn an average of $45.42 per hour, which equals about $94,480 annually. Nurses with an advanced degree will be able to earn more.
