How to become an Army critical careflight nurse or flight nurse practitioner?

2021-04-22T09:02:55-04:00

I am about to complete Army BOLC as a 66S, critical care nurse. My long term plan is to become a fight nurse or aviation nurse practitioner. What is the best path to pursue this? Thank you for any advice

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 22 at 2021 10:24 AM

2021-04-22T10:24:26-04:00

Join the Air Force… those career paths do not exist in the army (in that capacity). It may change in the future - but dust off primarily consists of paramedics. The nurses used are (mostly) USAF. Message me for more info.

Response by MAJ Byron Oyler made Apr 22 at 2021 10:33 AM

2021-04-22T10:33:37-04:00

Do you plan on staying in the Army a short period of time and then doing those positions in the civilian sector? The Army has no full time flight nursing positions and with the prospect of us pulling out of Afghanistan, the limited mission we were doing in aviation will all but go away. We do have the Joint Enroute Care Course (JECC) but I would not expect many flight opportunities anytime soon with the size of the nurse corps and the numbers interested in doing it. Most are senior 1LT or CPTs. Civilian side they like to see some EMS experience and obtaining your EMT and even paramedic would help that. Creighton University has both programs abbreviated for RNs,https://ems.creighton.edu/programs/ems-certificates/pre-hospital-care-emt-nurses
To be frank, the next couple of years needs to be spent showing the Army your critical care skills and growing as an Army officer. We do have NP programs but none focus on aviation medicine that I am aware of. You can start on your NP packet as soon as you get to your duty station however I strongly recommend your first conversation be with your new CNOIC focusing on how you want to become the best Army Critical Care nurse and what they expect for you to obtain top block rating on your OER. Same conversation should be had with your SR rater as well. Impress them there and then start aiming for the stars.

Pre-Hospital Care (EMT) for Nurses | EMS Education | Creighton University

Creighton University offers contemporary EMT education for nurses who want to provide emergency medical care in out-of-hospital settings.

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 22 at 2021 1:15 PM

2021-04-22T13:15:24-04:00