NURS 455
Introduction to Flight Nursing

1. Catalog Entry

NURS 455. Introduction to Flight Nursing
Two semester hours, two lecture hours

Prerequisites: NURS 360, 362, 364, 366
Co-/Prerequisite NURS 448 And Permission of Instructor

This course focuses on theoretical knowledge of nursing care of adults and children with complex illnesses involved in air transport including immediate stabilization and transport of the emergent patient utilizing a team approach.

2. Detailed Description of Course

This course focuses on theoretical knowledge of nursing care of adults and children with complex illnesses involved in air transport including immediate stabilization and transport of the emergent patient utilizing a team approach. The major topics and skills covered are common to air medical transport programs and critical care nursing.

Topic Outline:

• Unit I Flight History
• Unit II Flight Physiology
• Unit III Helicopter Orientation/Dispatch/Safety
• Unit IV Crew Resource Management
• Unit V Airway/Pharmacology
• Unit VI Advanced Patient Care Skills
• Unit VII Professional Interview Process/Documentation
• Unit III Quality Management Evaluation

3. Detailed Description of Conduct of Course

The following teaching strategies may be employed:

• Lecture/discussion based on case studies and actual incidents involving air medical teams. Patient care scenarios and panel behavioral interviews are incorporated along with audiovisual materials, patient care quality improvement conferences and student presentations.

4. Goals and Objectives of the Course

Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:

• Describe the historical beginnings of the air medical transport systems.
• Describe the physiological responses to altitude changes and its effects upon an already compromised patient.
• Describe the differences in air and ground transport.
• Compare and contrast the different types of helicopters, helicopter configurations, and indications for air transport.
• Demonstrate knowledge about radio systems and use in air medical communication.
• Apply appropriate communication skills before, during, and after air medical transport interacting with patients and a variety of health care team members.
• Perform a detailed assessment and necessary interventions on a critical care patient in a simulated experience.
• Describe the safe and standard medical care operations on the ground and in the air.

5. Assessment Measures

• May include: Quizzes
• Class participation
• Group and Individual projects
• Oral and technical presentation
• Final Exam

The course grade is determined by an evaluation of the extent to which the student meets the stated course objectives. Students must earn a minimum grade of “C” (75% or higher) in this course as measured by testing. Other written or class participation work will be included in the final grade after the minimum 75% (“C”) has been attained through testing.

6. Other Course Information

Honor Code: By accepting admission to Radford University, each student makes a commitment to understand, support, and abide by the University Honor Code without compromise or exception. Violations of academic integrity will not be tolerated. This class will be conducted in strict observance of the Honor Code. Refer to your Student Handbook for details.

Students with Disabilities: If you are seeking classroom accommodations under the Americans With Disabilities Act, you are required to register with the Disability Resource Office (DRO). The DRO website is www. radford.edu/~dro-web or email dro-web@radford.eduor 540-831-6350. To receive academic accommodations for this class, please obtain the proper DRO forms and meet with your faculty no later than the second week of the semester.

Attendance: For Attendance policies and other course-related requirements, see School of Nursing Undergraduate Student Handbook and Course Description.

7. Review and Approval

Date Action Reviewed By
October, 2004 Undergraduate Curriculum Dr. Marcella Griggs, Committee Approved Director