#RFDSCareers: Peter Blackwell, Critical Care Registered Nurse

Think the RFDS is ‘just’ planes? Think again. In this series, you’ll meet the many faces of the Flying Doctor and learn about the different and dynamic roles they have.

RFDS Victoria prides itself on having staff who go above and beyond. In flight nurse Peter Blackwell’s case, this description is more literal than most.

With 43 years in the health industry – 16 of those spent in the sky with the Flying Doctor – Peter is highly experienced. His background in critical care nursing has seen him train remote doctors and nurses, perform remote nursing himself, and work in Aboriginal men’s health. Peter’s experience is as vast at the distances he regularly travels.

Flight nursing comes with added layers of complexity. In addition to the constant monitoring of aviation conditions like sea level pressure and its effect on the patient, there is also the knowledge that further support is that bit further away.

“About 80% of our work is flight nurse only. You’re on your own up there. If something goes really bad, you’re it. You don’t have anybody else in the back with you, the pilot can’t leave the pilot’s chair obviously,” says Peter.

Despite this added pressure, Peter loves knowing that he can help people in need.

To this day, Peter says he loves what he does. Not only does he get a great sense of fulfilment and enjoyment out of his work, but he also relishes the incredible human experiences he has along the way.

“I've met some amazing people, whether it's remote area nursing or with the RFDS. Everything from going to your remote Aboriginal community and being welcomed into that community right through to taking a little baby back to Bundaberg with their mum and stopping off at the dad's workplace because he didn’t know we were coming back - he came outside and cried.”

_{To learn more about RFDS Victoria's services or to donate, please see}_{https://www.flyingdoctor.org.au/vic/}