Skills and difficulties in the role of nurses in aeromedical transport

Objective: to describe the skills and difficulties in the role of nurses in aeromedical transport. Method: descriptive, exploratory study with a qualitative approach. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, from October to November 2019, with a sample of seven nurses who work in an aerospace transport service, located in the metropolitan region of Belém, State of Pará, Brazil. Data analysis was based on the thematic content analysis method proposed by Bardin. Result: four empirical categories emerged: “Attributions, competences and difficulties in the role of nurses in aeromedical transport; Considering the epidemiological reality and regional differences; The nurse as a member of the multidisciplinary team; prerequisites for performance”. Conclusion: health professionals who work in air transport have different interpretations about the work they perform. In addition, the on-board nurse assumes a prominent position, their work is full of demands and challenges that require knowledge, skills, competences and attitudes to carry out the on-board service, aiming to maintain an efficient and effective practice, even in the face of adversities of this type of service.