So You Want to Be a Flight Nurse? The No-BS Guide with Janessa Dean

Ever thought about trading your bedside badge for a flight suit? 🚁💉 In this episode of Club Nurse, Colton chats with Janessa Dean — former ICU + flight nurse turned flight nurse coach and creator of Flight Prep Academy. She breaks down exactly what flight nursing is, how the teams work (pilot + medic + nurse), what actually happens on scene calls vs inter-facility transfers, and why the job is way more about autonomy, critical thinking, and teamwork than TV drama.Janessa gets super real about:What flight nurses actually do in the air (intubations, vents, chest tubes, RSI… all of it)Safety, fear of flying, and how “three to go, one to say no” keeps crews aliveThe experience you really need (spoiler: 3 years ER or ICU, not 47 certs)How to start in flight nursing now as a student: externships, ride-alongs, networkingWhy hopping between units might be holding you back from your dream jobMentorship, coaching, and dealing with the hidden trauma + burnout of caring for critical patientsPay, schedules, and what 24-hour shifts + living at the base actually look likeUsing your RN license as a tool, not your whole identity — and leaning into entrepreneurship as a nurseIf you’ve ever looked up at a helicopter and thought, “That could be me,” this episode is your sign to start making a plan instead of just daydreaming.>>So You Want to Be a Flight Nurse? The No-BS Guide with Janessa DeanJump Ahead to Listen:[00:01:13] Flight nursing coaching journey.[00:04:25] Scene calls in flight nursing.[00:08:40] Fear of flying in helicopters.[00:11:26] Flight nurse experience requirements.[00:13:09] Importance of networking in nursing.[00:16:28] Burnout in healthcare professionals.[00:21:25] Flight nursing training challenges.[00:22:34] Critical care nursing pathways.[00:27:00] Teamwork and camaraderie in nursing.[00:30:04] Flight nursing reality show idea.[00:32:33] Career changes in nursing.[00:34:45] Be an entrepreneur as a nurse.Connect with Colton on social media:Instagram: @coltonalanlord, @club.nurseTikTok: @nursecoltonConnect with Janessa Dean on social media:Instagram: @janessadeancoachingTikTok: @janessadeancoaching

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