Education Needs of Australian Flight Nurses: A Qualitative Study

Area of Science:

• Aviation Medicine
• Nursing Education
• Emergency Medical Services

Background:

• Flight nursing involves demanding work in confined, resource-limited aircraft environments.
• Previous research has described the challenges but lacked Australian-specific data on flight nurse learning needs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify the learning needs of Australian flight nurses.
• To explore the educational activities flight nurses find beneficial for their role.

Main Methods:

• A qualitative exploratory study was conducted.
• One-on-one interviews were held with 8 flight nurses from an Australian air medical retrieval organization.
• Thematic analysis was used to analyze interview data.

Main Results:

• Flight nurses need to develop autonomy in resource-constrained settings.
• Developing physical and mental resilience is crucial for the air medical environment.
• Essential nontechnical skills include flexibility and adaptability.
• Learning encompasses both formal and informal strategies.

Conclusions:

• Existing clinical knowledge supports solo decision-making in austere environments.
• Mental resilience, adaptability, and flexibility are key, previously underreported nontechnical skills.
• Flight nurses utilize simulation, case reviews, buddy flights, and social learning for role preparation.