CWRU's Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing and MetroHealth Medical Center are establishing the nation's first-ever degreed program for training flight nurses utilized in air medical transport.

photo by Susan Griffith Students in CWRU's Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing's new flight nurse training program demonstrate their skills on a mannequin during a press conference announcing the start of the program.

"This is an historic day for nursing education and for the Bolton School," said May Wykle, dean and Florence Cellar Professor of Nursing. "With a growing number of hospitals providing critical care air medical service, it is becoming essential to have specialized training of nurses who are in this field or who wish to enter it. Our offering a program that incorporates disaster preparedness and responses to life-threatening situations is consistent with the Bolton School's tradition of innovation in nursing education.

"We are extremely pleased to have the opportunity to partner with MetroHealth in offering this program," Wykle added. "As one of the nation's premier trauma centers and a recognized international leader in the field of air medical services, we know our students will receive the highest level of clinical training there."

"We are very excited and proud to be at the forefront of an endeavor of this magnitude," stated MetroHealth president and chief executive officer Terry R. White. "MetroHealth's partnership with CWRU is of historic proportion because it will advance the practice of nursing on a national level. And, the caliber and quality of Metro Life Flight nurse specialists, coupled with their first-hand knowledge and expertise, will provide the practical experience and insight necessary to enhance student curriculum."

Metro Life Flight director of operations Charlene Mancuso says the partnership is a perfect fit because it reflects Metro Life Flight's progressive style. "Metro Life Flight is known for its long tradition of cutting edge work. As a nurse, I am thrilled to be involved in an undertaking that will benefit flight nursing and advance the nursing profession in general."

Wykle noted that the reorganization of the health care industry has resulted in fewer medical facilities offering critical care and trauma services. As a result, air medical experts are needed to bring patients to facilities that do offer specialized care. Thus, the demand for nurses with specialized training in providing airborne critical care is growing.

Flight nursing will be offered as a concentration in the Bolton School's Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP) program, a two-year program that is part of the Master of Science in Nursing degree at the Bolton School. Students enrolling in the concentration will take master's degree courses in professional development, scientific inquiry, and advanced practice, as well as clinical courses in acute care nursing. In the final semester, students will participate in an advanced internship in flight nursing at MetroHealth, during which they will accompany flight nurses on missions with Metro LifeFlight.

Launching of the flight nurse training program is the first step in the Bolton School's plan to establish a national Flight Nurse Training Academy. When completed, the academy will include a lab that simulates the interior of an air medical service helicopter as well as an expanded curriculum.