2021 Distinguished CFRN Award goes to flight nurse

Based in Richmond, Virginia, Kissner is part of VCU Health’s LifeEvac team that provides air and ground ambulance services across Virginia, in addition to providing nurses and medical direction to the Virginia State Police’s aviation unit.

This annual BCEN award recognizes one top board certified flight nurse who exemplifies excellence in flight nursing and a strong commitment to supporting and advocating for flight nursing specialty certification. Introduced by BCEN in 1993, the Certified Flight Registered Nurse (CFRN) is held by over 4,800 RNs and advanced practice nurses. The CFRN is a preferred national certification for flight team nurses, meets Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems (CAMTS) requirements, and is an accredited and Magnet-accepted certification.

“Kevin’s commitment to his specialty and his remarkable work as a VCU Health flight nurse supporting Virginia State Police and its Med-Flight I showcases how board certified flight nurses contribute to exceptional patient care, public service, and the advancement of clinical excellence,” said BCEN CEO Janie Schumaker.

Helping to maintain 100-per-cent certification rate

A champion for evidence-based care, safety and education, Kissner has helped his base maintain a 100-per-cent certification rate, spearheaded a Virginia State Police initiative to standardize helicopter hoist rescue operations, been a driving force behind multiple state-wide clinical staff educational initiatives, and been recognized with several unit ‘Life Save’ awards for successful resuscitation of cardiac arrest during transport.

“When your life depends on receiving the highest level of care, you want the best care team by your side to make important real-time decisions,” explained Kathy Baker, Associate Chief Nurse and Associate Vice President for patient care services at VCU Health System. “As a Level I trauma center, we are proud to have highly skilled, board certified team members like Kevin providing world-class service and care to the communities we serve.”

Kissner added: “Just achieving certification is impressive, but it is really what you do with it, such as being on the cutting edge of change during the pandemic, that inspires me. Flight nursing has been my passion for the past 16 years and receiving the BCEN award is honestly the pinnacle of my career to this point.”

Recently, BCEN announced that Julie Donnelly, Director of patient care services at the Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, is the recipient of BCEN’s 2021 Distinguished TCRN Award.