Re: CFRN REQUIREMENTS

["Cece/Fred Peterson" <Cece1201@Nauticom.net>]

I agree with Alex's comments to D.T.  There is no substitute for experience
in our field, and a little humility will go a long way to getting this new
graduate into a flight program in the future.

To those of you who responded to D.T with your hackles up:  remember the
brash confidence of your youth.  Certainly I had no real notion of what I
was getting into when I started my career in HEMS in 1981, and there are
still days when I think that this job is well over my head.  But the
experiences I've had  contribute to my "total package;" none of us is the
same person today as when we first donned a flight suit.  The confidence I
had way back then carried me through many sticky situations; experience
added to this confidence is what I bring to my patients today.

Please go easy on this new graduate, and ALL new grads.  Their perception of
what flight nurses and medics do has probably been shaped to great extent by
the media, not real life, and we need to model appropriate professional
behavior for their benefit.

Just my two-cents worth.

Cece Peterson, RN, BSN, CEN, CFRN and some others that I've forgotten but
don't add up to a hill of beans if I can't remember my protocols.....
LifeFlight
Pittsburgh, PA

----- Original Message -----
From: "Alex Markwell" <bf2rn@home.com>
To: <flightmed@flightweb.com>
Sent: Wednesday, March 28, 2001 11:21 PM
Subject: Re: CFRN REQUIREMENTS


> Dear D.T.
>
> Congratulations on graduating from your BSN program with a 4.0 grade point
> average. That is a wonderful accomplishment and something to be very proud
> of.
>
> It is always exciting to hear of new graduate nurses who are interested in
> the Airmedical Transport Industry. However, the tone of your e-mail is
quite
> concerning. You have indicated that you believe that you would be able to
> "study" and just pass the  CEN or CFRN exams. Wonderful. You are very
lucky.
> However, there is far more behind becoming a flight nurse than just
passing
> your CEN or CFRN Board Exams.
>
> If becoming a flight nurse is your goal, then perhaps I may make a few
> suggestions? First ... by all means, make this your goal. Second, as a new
> graduate, gain experience on a medical or surgical floor for 8-12 months.
> Then, proceed to an ICU and finally, transfer to the Emergency Department.
> You will DEFINITELY need to develop your critical care thinking skills to
> become a competent practitioner. Especially, an autonomous, critical care
> practitioner ... which is exactly what a flight nurse is!
>
> Flight Nurses do NOT just sit for their boards, pass them, and then know
> what to do. It takes years of developing a knowledge base, a sixth sense
> about yourself and situations that arise expectedly and unexpectedly, and
> most importantly ... the ability to think and process information and
react
> accordingly. It takes years to develop the know how of "critical
thinking."
>
> In addition, flight nurses should have some type of experience in
> prehospital care. This means that you will need to take an EMT class to
> learn the basics of prehospital medicine. Then, I would suggest  a Basic
> Trauma Life Support (BTLS) class or a Prehospital Trauma Life Support
Class
> (PHTLS).  Not only should you take these classes, but you then need to
learn
> to apply the knowledge by working "on the street." You can gain an
enormous
> amount of information, and experience by working for one of your local
> ambulance services, or volunteering with your local Volunteer Fire
> Department Rescue Squad.
>
> Once you have gained this experience, you will most likely need to
complete
> a Paramedic program or in the very least, sit for the paramedic exam. Most
> states do NOT have an easy exam. Some even require that you take the
> National Registry Paramedic exam. For this, knowledge and experience play
a
> key role in successfully completing the written and practical exam.
>
> In addition to clinical knowledge, flight nurses need to have the
experience
> of dealing with people, sometimes very angry or upset people ... you must
> know what being "politically correct" means and how to apply it, you need
to
> know how to take the high road when faced with criticism and adversity ...
> and most importantly, you need to learn how to be humble.
>
> Becoming a flight crew member ... a flight nurse ... is a highly rewarding
> experience. Yes, we know that we are advanced practitioners that do
> something very unique. However, we also know how to be very low key and
> humble about this honorary position.  It is not about just wearing a great
> looking flight suite and flying around on a helicopter. You will see the
> worst of the worst, and be expected to know what to do. You may make
> mistakes. However, only with experience and maturity will you truly know
how
> to debrief your calls, learn from them, and then go out and apply the new
> knowledge that  you have learned. This may sound easy, but it is not easy!
>
> I also suggest that if you live in an area where there is an air medical
> transport program, that you contact the Chief Flight Nurse or Program
> Director for further guidance. I am sure that you will be welcomed with
open
> arms and enthusiasm. Just remember .... bring a little bit of humbleness
> with you, and an open mind.
>
> Best wishes with this endeavor.
>
> Ms. Alex Markwell, RN, MBA, CEN, EMT-P
> Chief Flight Nurse
> Bayflite 4
> Bushnell, FL
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: <DARRAR@aol.com>
> To: <FLIGHTMED@flightweb.com>
> Sent: Wednesday, March 28, 2001 7:37 PM
> Subject: CFRN REQUIREMENTS
>
>
> > I am a recent  4.0 grad ( 12/99) of a BSN program -  I do very well with
> test
> > taking.  I am interested in taking the tests to become a CEN and CFRN.
I
> > have looked over the material and think I could easily pass the exams
and
> > obtain certification with a little studying.   I have limited ER
> experience
> > and have never been in a helicopter.
> >
> > The CEN and CFRN have no requirements as to experience in flight or ER -
> they
> > "suggest" 2 years. - you only have to pass the tests.
> >
> > If I become certified, CFRN and CEN - ( which I would have no difficulty
> > doing),  Would it improve my chances of getting a flight nurse position
> down
> > the line???
> >
> >
> > D.T.
> >
> >
>
>