Sandra Aune

I have over 9 years aero-medical experience, doing commercial flight repatriations for several medical assistance companies. I work on a flexible self employed basis. I can be ready to fly just about anywhere in the world, often at short notice, to escort a patient back to their home country. I keep my skills current by doing agency shifts in my local ITU.

Previous work experience

I qualified as an SRN in 1980. Over the years I have lived and worked in Pakistan, Belgium, USA and the UK, in many hospital areas including, Medical, Surgical, MAAU, A&E, HDU and ITU. I am not specialised in any subject but have gained a wide range of experience by moving around. You could say I have always had itchy feet! I started my work/travel life again in my 40’s, after raising my children, by becoming a Nursing Officer with a cruise company.

How did I get into medical case management/flight nursing?

After 4 years on the cruise ships I had no idea what to do following on from the exciting life at sea, travelling the world. One of our doctors suggested flight nursing, having done repatriation work himself. He gave me lots of information and contacts, including the good idea of starting with a background course. This for me was Clinical Considerations in Aeromedical Transport, which was a week at Guildford University.

Education

• CCAT Course 2010
• RCN Flight Nurse/Critical Care study days ILS yearly
• Manual Handling practical 2 yearly Safeguarding Adults and Children 2 yearly E Learning multiple subjects yearly

What do I enjoy most about being a flight nurse?

Meeting and helping patients and their families when they are abroad and often totally out of their comfort zone, following an unexpected illness or trauma. It can be extremely stressful with language difficulties and various levels of nursing care. Many patients often weep at the sheer relief of getting back to their home or local hospital. It is very satisfying to know I have played a part in the process.

What were my most challenging repatriations?

In my early days it was often a learning curve, relying on others to know the stages. One of my first stretcher cases was from a Greek island. The ambulance crew took us and our luggage to the airside entrance. I assumed this was their normal procedure. We arrived at the aircraft with luggage not labelled and checked in, no boarding passes and most importantly no lift arranged to get the stretcher on board. There followed a lot of confusion, phone calls, hand-waving, fingers pointing and some raised voices. Eventually we got on board after I helped to physically carry the stretcher all the way up the plane steps! Lesson learned with stretchers, always check in, in the terminal first.

I have only missed one plane and that was because the ambulance had a flat tyre! Fortunately they managed to get us on the next flight and we managed to get our connecting flight.

Another time, also a stretcher case, I had to treat the patients husband with oxygen and a nebuliser. He had some COPD and was quite highly strung and anxious. He was fine after treatment and calming down. The patient was the easier of the two!

What important character traits are needed as a flight nurse?

• Lots of patience and a calm attitude
• A love of variety, new challenges and flying!
• Skilled communicator (especially if you don’t speak the language) Confidence and assertiveness when necessary
• Sense of humour
• Physical and mental stamina

Top Tips

• Read the notes carefully and make sure you take any other equipment or supplies that might be needed. It is not good to run out of inco pads or have none at all!!
• Never pass a loo if you don’t know when the next one will be available.
• Wear comfortable clothes and shoes.
• Enjoy the experiences, they are all unique!