What does a military flight nurse job entail?

I've been thinking about becoming a military flight nurse. Can anyone provide details on what the job involves day-to-day? I'm curious about the type of work they do and the qualifications needed to get into this role.

As a flight nurse in the military, you could expect a diverse and challenging range of responsibilities. Central to the role is providing critical care for injured or ill service members during aeromedical evacuations, typically on military aircraft. Here are some aspects of a typical day in the life of a military flight nurse:

- Patient Care: A significant portion of your time would be spent administering direct intensive care to wounded military personnel during or post-flight. This could involve tasks such as monitoring the patient's vital signs, administering medications, and undertaking life-saving measures if necessary while in flight.

- Preparation and Planning: Flight nurses also collaborate with healthcare teams to prepare patients for transport. This planning stage involves stabilizing patients, developing care plans suitable for flight, and ensuring necessary equipment and medication are available for the flight.

- Training: Regular training is a given, especially considering how quickly medical technology and protocols change. Courses commonly cover aeromedical evacuation, trauma life support, and survival skills, among other topics.

In terms of qualifications, a bachelor's degree in nursing (BSN) or related field is typically required, as well as successfully passing the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). Experience in critical or emergency care is highly valued, often required. Further, you'll need to satisfy physical requirements (like passing a fitness test) and complete officer training. Some branches of the military may have additional requirements.

Remember, this role involves high pressure scenarios and can be emotionally taxing due to the nature of the injuries you'll likely confront. Despite these challenges, being a military flight nurse can also offer an immense sense of reward and accomplishment.