Pier-Olivier Boisvert is a flight nurse and advisor for aeromedical evacuations at the Airmedic base in Saint-Hubert. Here, he talks about his career path, his daily routine, and what makes his job so unique.
How long have you been part of the Airmedic team?
I’ve been working at Airmedic for a year.
What is your current position?
I have several roles at Airmedic. I’m a flight nurse, which means I participate in helicopter and airborne missions. I’m also the medical evacuation coordinator.
What was your career path before taking on this position?
It all started at Cégep de Trois-Rivières, where I completed my nursing technician program. I then went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing. I gained experience at Sacré-Cœur Hospital in cardiac surgery and intensive care. Today, I work for both Airmedic and the CHUM in critical care, particularly with transplant patients and those who have undergone complex surgeries.
What made you want to join Airmedic?
What attracted me was the opportunity to practice in an unconventional environment. Being a flight nurse pushes me to refine my clinical judgment without relying solely on hospital tools. This makes every mission a real professional challenge.
What does your typical day look like?
It all depends on my base. In coordination, I work during the day and handle emergency calls. On call, I can be called at any time for a mission. I report to the hangar for deployment. Every call is different, which makes this job as stimulating as it is unpredictable.
What do you think is misunderstood about your job?
Airmedic isn’t just about helicopter missions; there’s also a variety of jobs in aeronautics to meet the needs of various government and private services.
Do you have a memorable mission that you would like to share with us?
With the arrival of the pandemic and COVID-19, we had to carry out certain missions involving suspected cases. I particularly remember one transfer where the patient’s condition required me to apply my critical care knowledge. I loved applying it outside of a hospital setting.
Flight nurse: a job that combines adrenaline and rigor
The position of flight nurse requires exceptional versatility. Thanks to their sharp skills and constant adaptability, professionals like Pier-Olivier provide critical care in the most demanding conditions.
