What is the best route to become a Flight Nurse in the Army?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 09 Jan 2021 21:17:42 -0500

I'm looking to commission as a nurse eventually, but am currently a crew chief. I currently hold a bachelor's in exercise science but my grades were not good. I've been out of college for nearly 10 years. I've only heard of a few select positions for flight nurse in the Army.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 10 at 2021 2:29 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 10 Jan 2021 02:29:23 -0500

Only Flight Nurse jobs I know of are with the Air Force.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 10 at 2021 3:03 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 10 Jan 2021 03:03:09 -0500

Flight nurses are mostly an AF thing, not that we don't have flight nurses at all. The flight nurse program is held by the AF. Flight medicine is a graduate degree program. That means you have to first commission as a nurse, spend a few years as a nurse, then as a CPT/MAJ apply for the flight nurse program and be more competitive than your other nurse RN peers to get selected. Then you attend the flight nurse program, or LTHET, or a Flight Nurse Masters program on your own dime

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Jan 10 at 2021 8:56 AM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Sun, 10 Jan 2021 08:56:18 -0500

My daughter searched for a Reserve Component nursing position a few years ago She had 10+ years in the ANG and was an E5. After getting her BSN she quit the Guard and focused on her nursing career. Completed her MSN and NP. After about 8 years she wanted back in. She talked to medical recruiters from Army Reserve and Guard, Air Force Reserve and Guard, and Navy Reserve. The Navy Reserve offered her the best deal, so she direct commissioned into Navy as an O3. She will be promoted to O5 in a month or so.

My advice to you; talk to medical recruiters from all Services, active and reserve component. Air Force flight nurses are. Mostly in reserve or Guard.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 10 at 2021 2:50 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 10 Jan 2021 14:50:38 -0500

I ran into several "flight surgeons" on my last tour who were Nurse Practitioners. I think they were medical corps though

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 10 at 2021 2:57 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 10 Jan 2021 14:57:32 -0500

The Army has an ASI for Aeromedical Nurse Practitioners which is awarded after a 66P attends the Army Flight Surgeon Course. So, you would have to get an MSN or DNP as an FNP, commission, attend BOLC, then you would be eligible for the course.

Response by MAJ Byron Oyler made Jan 11 at 2021 1:01 AM

MAJ Byron Oyler — Mon, 11 Jan 2021 01:01:36 -0500

We do not have any full time flight nurses that I am aware of in the Army. We have been sending ICU and ER nurses to enroute care course and then deploying them on helos. Not a lot of assignments and these days very few missions down range. You want a lot of action as a flt nurse, go USAF reserves.

Response by Maj Irma Groot made Jul 17 at 2021 3:47 AM

Maj Irma Groot — Sat, 17 Jul 2021 03:47:25 -0400

The best route to become a flight nurse is in the USAF Reserves. You have to be an RN and I would recommend starting in a Medical Staging Facility (they get the patients to the flight line) or work in Critical Care (civilian or Military. Then find out where the nearest Aeromedical Squadron and get an interview. If they have an opening and offer it to you, you will go to Flight School and Survival School, go on training flights with your Reaerce Squadron Instructors (other flight nurses) and at a certain point qualify on your air craft and as a full fledged flight nurse. Lots of voluntary deployment opportunities. Best Nurse job in the USAF!