One of the most important considerations in the safe and effective treatment of critically ill or injured patients is during transportation. When patients are transported to and from hospital or other care settings, they can be exposed to a variety of factors that could further exacerbate their conditions and even lead to declining heath and even death. Critical care transport nurses intersect these issues by ensuring patients remain stable during transport – with the skills and knowledge to provide life-saving measures on patients that EMTs or paramedics cannot provide.
Start, enhance, or advance a career in nursing with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Providence. Built around the patient-centered care model, graduates of UP’s nursing degrees are not only ready to sit for National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) but possess a foundational understanding of nursing practice and are equipped with the tools and skills needed to deliver quality, compassionate nursing care across all lifespans.
What is a Critical Care Transport Nurse?
Critical care transport nurses are licensed and certified registered nursing professionals who provide crucial care and lifesaving care to patients as they are transported between hospitals.
What does a Transport Nurse do?
The critical care transport nurse career path provides a fast-paced, highly intensive career focused on ensuring patients cared as they are being transported between care facilities. Those who choose the career path will be required to provide life-saving care to those who are critically ill and injured- many of whom are facing life-threatening circumstances. Transport nurses work as part of a larger team of professionals such as paramedics and providers to ensure patients remain stable during transport They are trained in advanced and rapid treatment interventions and have more authority and scope of practice than a traditional paramedic or EMT would have.
Common job requirements include:
- Quickly and safely transporting patients to a hospital or long-term care facility
- Monitoring patient health and wellness while being transported
- Administer and monitor patient medications
- Perform stabilizing or life-saving measures for patient if necessary
- Communicate with hospital staff, providers and nurses on patients’ condition and needs
Where do Critical Care Transport Nurses Work?
Transport nurses work in a variety of mobile and on the go medical facilities or vehicles. While they may work for and be stationed at hospitals, agencies, or specialized transport companies, they spend most of their days the road away from the hospitals or between hospitals or facilities.
Common work locations include:
- Ambulance and medical transport companies
- Public or private hospitals
- Governmental organizations or international agencies
- Medical flight or maritime services
- Military or other public defense agencies
How to Become a Transport Nurse?
The path to becoming a critical care transport nurse includes a mixture of academic and vocational training, with many who enter the profession gaining many years of experience in nursing before pursuing professional certification. The path into the field includes graduating from high school and earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from an accredited university.
Those who have an Associate Degree in Nursing are encouraged to earn their bachelor’s degree before pursuing the profession, as many hospitals and other healthcare organizations prefer nurses with a BSN over ADN. After testing for and securing licensure through the NCLEX-RN exam, positions in emergency room care, critical care, intensive care, and similar disciplines are encouraged for RNs to enter, as it will provide the necessary skills and experiences that will ensure readiness in the field. Professional certification often comes after a couple of years working as an RN.
While there are many options to choose from with certification, some of the most common paths to the critical care transport nurse path include Certified Transport Registered Nurse (CTRN), Critical Care (Adult) Registered Nurse (CCRN), and Certified Flight Registered Nurse (CFRN).
A common career path includes:
- Earn a high school diploma or GED
- Earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from an accredited university
- Pass the NCLEX-RN exam to secure RN licensure
- Gain experience in registered nursing
- Apply for and secure professional certification
Critical Care Transport Nurse Career Path
Critical care transport nurses have a variety of opportunities for career advancement and development, including opportunities to specialize in the critical care transport of specific patient populations, as well as enhancing or advancing their nursing skills to deliver a wider range of care. Advancement within nursing is also available, including leadership roles in nurse management, educational roles as a nurse educator, or advanced practice registered nursing.
Learn more about how a Bachelor of Science in Nursing or Online RN-BSN bridge program can lead to or build upon a career in critical care transport nursing by visiting the nursing program page.
