A passion that saves lives
Being a flight nurse at Airmedic is not a simple job. It is a vocation. Étienne Laroche, flight nurse for three years now, perfectly illustrates this reality. With more than 35 missions to his credit, he embodies the expertise, compassion, and adaptability that this role demands daily.
Unique missions for a flight nurse at Airmedic
“What I love most at Airmedic is that no mission is the same,” confides Étienne. Each call is different, each intervention site is unknown, each patient is unique. This requires exceptional adaptability and a constant sense of initiative. Indeed, helicopter medical transport missions often involve improvisations on the field. Despite perfect mastery of the equipment and protocols, each situation requires quick analytical thinking.
A typical day for a flight nurse
Étienne’s day often begins with a call from dispatch. He goes to the base, prepares the medical equipment with his team, and then conducts a briefing with the pilots. Next, they head to the intervention site to stabilize the patient according to the chief physician’s orders. Thanks to this immediate care, in-flight treatment can make a real difference in the outcome of an emergency.
Interventions that change a life
Some missions leave a stronger impression than others. Étienne remembers a patient he transported with a colleague: “What touched me the most was when I met her daughter. She told us that the hospital doctors had confirmed that our intervention had made the difference between life and death.”
This kind of feedback gives full meaning to this job. For Étienne, knowing that he prevented major complications, or even death, is enough to fuel pride and personal fulfillment.
A big dedicated family
Airmedic is also a close-knit team. Étienne describes the work environment as one big family, whether based in Saguenay or Montreal. This solidarity among colleagues is essential when facing critical situations several meters off the ground.
For him, each mission is an adventure. “We pick up the patient in the worst of their condition, stabilize them, and then take them to the most suitable hospital.” This chain of strategic actions limits long hospitalizations and improves chances of recovery.
Why choose Airmedic?
Working as a flight nurse at Airmedic is taking on a challenge with every intervention. It is also having a direct and concrete impact on people’s lives. Étienne encourages those who hesitate to join this human adventure: “You feel that you are important for the patients and that the company is also important to them. It is rewarding for us; we make a difference in their life.”
In summary, the role of a flight nurse is not limited to providing care. It is about acting in emergencies, reassuring, stabilizing, and ensuring a transition to an optimal hospital setting. At Airmedic, these professionals do far more than transport a patient: they save lives.
👉 You want to join our team? https://www.airmedic.net/carrieres
