Nurses play vital roles in all aspects of patient care. While most people think of nurses’ responsibilities at or in the doctor’s office, Critical Care Transport Nurses provide life-saving care while on the move, working in the confined spaces of ambulances and airplanes.
Critical Care Transport Nurses Day is celebrated every year on February 18 and recognizes the uniqueness of what transport nurses do and the difference they make in the lives of their patients.
These nurses are part of a team that provides care for critically ill and injured patients at the scene of an accident and during transport between facilities by plane and ambulance. These professionals bring the skills of a critical care nurse to the patient, providing care and comfort during transport.
Jenna Schug, a critical care transport nurse, started working as an emergency room nurse for 8 years before deciding to try something new in June of 2021 when she became a critical care transport nurse with Aspirus MedEvac.
“It’s always a different patient scenario, which is a draw for the job, but it can also be a challenge,” says Jenna.
Transports may vary according to the level of urgency. Some transports include a critically ill patient to receive initial care after an accident, a patient with a physical injury or health event (heart attack or stroke) and even a pregnant mother who cannot go to the hospital or birth center.
Other transports include care for stable patients who are being moved between facilities with different levels of care for additional testing, surgery, or therapy.
“We might do one flash of lights and sirens for someone who is actively having a heart attack, and then the next run might be to transport a patient to another facility for surgery who is in a not life-threatening. In a job like this, you never know what kind of phone call you’re going to get,” says Jenna.
As a critical care transport nurse, critical thinking skills are essential. Time is a very important element and can be the difference between life and death. Every second of available time is used to care for the patient.
“Having urgent care experience before deciding on this career path was very helpful,” says Jenna. “Although the fast-paced environment of the past is still an element of both, working in a hospital is very different from working in a truck or helicopter. There are still some limitations, which is why critical thinking skills are so important.”
Regardless of the setting, critical care transport nurses must work well in a team, especially through collaboration and communication. In high-pressure situations, being confident and experienced enough to make accurate split-second decisions is critical to providing the best patient care.
“My favorite part of working with MedEvac is my team. We all work very well together and know and trust each other. You create a bond when you work in an environment like this which is pretty amazing,” says Jenna.
Although, working in critical care can have its challenges. Jenna says the patients are what she loves most about being a critical care transport nurse.
She says, “Patients are generally so grateful and happy to see us. You form a unique bond during the short time you are with them. It’s a very special experience and that’s why I love what I do.”
