Lisa Pruitt RN, BSN, C-NPT

Why did you become a transport nurse?

II always knew from the time I was a small child I wanted to be a pediatric nurse.  I started by nursing career in the PICU.  I felt right at home in the setting of critical care.  I loved the challenge, the critical thinking and attention to detail involved.  Some of the nurses I admired most and learned from and aspired to be like, were Critical Care Transport nurses. I was drawn to critical care transport because I wanted to be a part of a team that could give these patients the chance to receive the necessary care they needed.  A critical care transport for many of these patients can mean the difference between life and death and to be able to offer that service to a child/family in need is inspiring.

 What is it about your job that you enjoy?

No two work days are ever the same and I learn something new every single day!  Taking care of someone's child on their worst day and making it even a tiny bit easier or better is a privilege.   

How did you become a flight nurse?

I worked several years in the PICU before applying/accepting my first critical care transport position. My training prior to my current role included years of critical care experience in a high acuity PICU and an extensive orientation to pediatric and neonatal transport.  

What do you enjoy in your free time?

Hanging with family and friends!  You can usually find me cheering on one of my two kids at one of their many activities and sporting events!

Fun fact about you?

I am terrified of birds!  Well, actually anything that flies or flaps!  Except airplanes and helicopters!!  I LOVE those!

Why did you become an ASTNA member?

I joined ASTNA because I am passionate about making sure every baby, child and adult has access to quality and safe critical care transport.  I wanted to know more and be involved with transport on a larger scale, beyond just the team I worked for.  ASTNA has given me so many opportunities for education, networking and the privilege of being a part of different projects like PATC!  I was recently elected to the Board and am continuing to learn so much from fellow board and ASTNA members!  It is so exciting to really make a difference and advocate for our industry and transport nursing!

Can you share a time when you felt especially proud to work as a flight nurse?

I honestly feel proud every time I walk into a referral facility that maybe didn't have the resources or equipment they needed to care for a small patient and they are just so grateful to have you there to help.  Or walking into a patient's room and you see just a glimmer of relief on their parents face that you are there to take them to the higher level of care that their child needs.  Or the toddler that is screaming in fear when you have to take them from their parents but they are holding your hand and resting comfortably by the time you settle them into the helicopter that's "just for kids"!

Describe the ideal partner/flight crew member.

My ideal partner is the one that I can laugh with about all the dark humor only transport nurses would understand on the way to our patient, but the moment you meet your patient, the two of you don't even have to speak, you just look at each other and know exactly what needs to be done and you both go to work!

Do you have a patient / transport that you feel changed/impacted how you care for your patients today? Can you relay that story?

I learn something from every single patient.  But there are those patients that really end up leaving a lasting impression and special spot in your heart.  The patients that you got more form than they got form you.  I'll never forget the first 24 week delivery I attended in rural Kansas.   This 450 gram peanut  was born to the sweetest parents who had tried so hard for a baby for so many years to have this baby and this is not how they dreamed of welcoming this miracle into the world. I honestly didn't know if we would be leaving with baby boy.  But,  we did.  And today, this miracle boy is 10 years old!  Although he is medically complex, he is the love of his parents life!