Dream Career: Flight Nurse / Paramedic

Information Interview

Alicia Eberhard
Siena Heights University
LDR610
Dr. James Loughran

What is a flight nurse?

A flight nurse is generally a career position for registered nurses.
They are highly trained to administer all-encompassing critical care, emergency and prehospital care.
They treat patients of all kinds during rescue operations or aeromedical evacuation on board
jet aircraft, propeller aircraft or helicopter.

Flight nurse education

What do you need to know?
The normal studies of a Registered Nurse / Paramedic
Post-grad training in emergency nursing or intensive care.
Neonatal resuscitation, and pediatric advanced life support.
Advanced cardiac life support
Pre-hospital trauma life support.
Must obtain a minimum experience level of 5 years in an ICU, ER or other critical care
based hospital setting.

Interviewee

Interviewee: Ben Oliver

Current Position Title: Simulation Specialist Coordinator,

Clinical Learning Center, University of Michigan, School of
Nursing
Name or type of employing organization: University of
Michigan, School of Nursing
Date of Interview: 17 October 2015

Brief summary of interview

Ben started out working as a Paramedic for Madison Township Fire Department
Ben then became employed my University of Michigan as a SWAT Team Medic, he is
trained to go into hostile situations and extract the patient.
He then started flying with Survival Flight for the University of Michigan Hospital
After about a decade of flying, he became a Simulation Specialist Coordinator at the
University of Michigan, School of Nursing. He now teaches others to do be a Flight Nurse
and or Paramedic.
He sees himself teaching others until he chooses to retire when he reaches his 60s.

My reaction to the interview

I have known Ben since I was in High school, so I have been able to see his career progress.
I was honestly surprised by his career path.
I didnt think he would ever retire from flying and become a instructor.
After speaking with him and looking back on his career path and how he was when he was
on the fire department, I can now see how he gravitated toward teaching.