If you want to work in the field of critical care and aviation, then becoming a Certified flight registered nurse may be the right career path for you. However, this certification requires extensive training and knowledge of pre-hospital emergency nursing.
It is important to get your nursing school degree and take the National Council Licensure Examination. You must also have a valid registered nurse license.
Flight nurses care for patients in a helicopter or plane while they’re being transported to a medical facility for longer term treatment. This is a challenging job, but it’s rewarding, too. “There are so many times when you know that what you did, as a team of nurses and doctors, made the difference,” says one flight nurse.
The process of becoming a flight nurse takes between 5 and 10 years. This includes earning a nursing degree, obtaining career experience as an RN, and obtaining a CFRN certification.
Continuing education is also important for flight nurses to keep their skills sharp and to meet regulatory requirements. However, this training can be difficult to schedule and may not always fit into a busy work schedule. Despite these challenges, the benefits of continuing education for flight nurses include professional growth and the opportunity to improve patient outcomes. In the 2025 CFRN pulse survey, nurses reported that holding the credential makes a difference in their sense of pride and self-efficacy. This is a significant finding that should be explored in more research on transport nurse specialty certification.
Flight nurses work for search-and-rescue agencies, hospitals and trauma centers, the military, or private medical transport companies. They must be registered nurses (RNs) and hold a minimum of an associate degree in nursing, though many employers prefer or require a BSN. They should have extensive emergency/critical care experience, either in the ED or ICU. Try our NCLEX practice test.
They provide medical care for patients while transporting them via helicopter or fixed-wing aircraft. These specialized nurses are part of a team that includes paramedics and physicians. They often have to triage patients and then develop a plan for their treatment based on the results of the evaluation. They must work in a limited space with few resources.
They can expect to work 12- or 24-hour shifts. They can work in a variety of environments and conditions, from blazing summer heat to subzero winter cold. They must be able to think on their feet and cope with stress. They also need to inventory supplies used on a trip and restock before the next flight. Their patient population can range in age from neonates to the elderly.
The CFRN exam is administered by the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing (BCEN), the sole credentialing body for this specialty certification. BCEN requires candidates to hold a current, unrestricted RN license and complete a minimum of two years of flight nursing experience before sitting for the exam. Understanding BCEN's testing framework, including their content outline weightings and recertification requirements, gives you a strategic advantage when building your study plan.
Prepare for the CFRN - Certified Flight Registered Nurse exam with our free practice test modules. Each quiz covers key topics to help you pass on your first try.