Flight Nurse & Management of Stress

Flight Nurse & Management of Stress

Introduction

The purpose of this study is to expand the boundaries of our knowledge by exploring some relevant facts related to the role of flight nurse in managing stresses of flight. A flight nurse is a registered nurse with specialized training in high-level trauma and rescue. The flight nurses can be found in all parts of the flight crew associated with hospitals in major cities to remote areas. Flight Nurses need to have physical strength, agility and endurance, as sometimes the nurse will have to fend off a deep ravine, wading into the icy water while keeping your head pack of equipment, or climbing a steep slope. This can be a physically demanding job. Flight nurse should have excellent skills in patient assessment, preferably in the Level I Trauma, excellent decision-making skills and professional certifications should also be up to date. The study of fatigue and stress involves the difficulty of establishing clear definitions and universally accepted concepts. With regard to stress, some authors suggest that a moderate level of stress is necessary for optimal performance. An insufficient level of stress can lead to boredom and low productivity and excess stress, physical or emotional commitment. Stress can not only impact the passengers and crew, but it can also affect the mental stability of flight nurse (Zakour, 2000). With reference to New Zealand air ambulance standards, the author will discuss how the stresses of flight impact on flight nurse, other crew members and patients. Furthermore, the author will also examine various techniques to actively manage these stresses.

Discussion

Stress related to flying

Almost one in two women and one third man feels uncomfortable when flying. Stress can be triggered by several factors (Seaward, 2006):

The physiological external aggression (injuries, temperature, humidity, noise) or internal (hunger, thirst, fatigue, lack of sleep)

The inadequate skills or situations: unexpected situation deteriorated in flight and without known solution, test, time pressure, work overload, lack of understanding (the facts do not correspond to what is expected)

Changes in the everyday: any change, even if voluntary, in the daily stress causes a stronger or weaker depending on the individual and the circumstances and contributes to what is called chronic stress

Anxiety (ability to imagine future risks), unlike fear, which is a reaction to a clearly identified threat, anxiety is a widespread feeling that does not refer to anything specific. But it still causes stress

Stress evolves in phases (Roma, 2010):

Phase 1: alarm reaction (release of adrenaline, increased heart rate, breathing and blood pressure, release of reserves of the liver, slowing functions unrelated to the escape or defence especially the digestive - mouth dryer and higher brain functions).

Phase 2: Resistance.

Phase 3: exhaustion (energy resources are dwindling, the toxins build up, exhaustion can lead to death)

New Zealand air ambulance standards

With reference to New Zealand air ambulance standards, planes should have the necessary resources to provide medical care in critical care. The plane should carry a small crew of medical personnel and basic equipment like ECG monitors, ventilators, medicine and ...