Governance

ASTNA members belong to the national level, and in some areas a state or regional level exists. Every active member has the opportunity to participate in the organizational leadership structure. The ten-member Board of Directors is a governing body and serves its members through the assistance of an Executive Director (paid/contracted position with a management firm). Activities not requiring Board approval are handled by the Executive Director and the Executive Committee, which is comprised of the President, President-Elect, Secretary/Treasurer.

Board members are elected by general membership ballot and serve a two-year term; each year the President of ASTNA designates a Board Liaison for each region within the United States. Committees are part of the leadership structure and report to the Board of Directors. The President (with Board approval) appoints committees each fall. The Board monitors and assists in this process by assigning liaisons to each committee.

Mission Statement

The Air & Surface Transport Nurses Association (also known as National Flight Nurses Association) is a nonprofit member organization whose mission is to advance the practice of transport nursing and enhance the quality of patient care through commitment to safety and education.

Organization

• Founded in 1980/1981 Incorporated as NFNA
• 1998 started doing business as ASTNA
• Approximately 1,850 members
• Two regional chapters

Objectives

1. Provide clear and decisive leadership for the unique and distinct professional specialty of transport nursing
2. Facilitate opportunities for communication and collaboration among transport nurses
3. Provide representation and liaison in forums that relate to the practice of transport nursing
4. Support and promote scientific research that enhances transport nursing knowledge and air medical patient care practices
5. Promote continuing education specific to the advancement of transport nursing
6. Serve as an information resource on transport nursing and air medical care delivery systems
7. Maintain organization competency and strength

Resources

• The Air Medical Journal - six times a year
• Wings, Wheels & Rotors - quarterly newsletter
• Transport Nurse Advanced Trauma Course (TNATC)
• Flight and Ground Transport Nursing Core Curriculum
• Transport Certification Review Manual II
• Flight Nursing Core Curriculum Companion Workbook
• Standards for Critical Care and Specialty Ground Transport
• Standards for Critical Care and Specialty Rotor-Wing Transport
• Standards for Critical Care and Specialty Fixed-Wing Transport
• Air and Surface Patient Transport: Principles and Practice, 3E - Order through Elsevier Health
• Position statement regarding professional practice issues
• Code of Ethics

Organizational Philosophy

The Air & Surface Transport Nurses Association (ASTNA) is defined by its bylaws and mission as a membership organization of professional nurses who practice transport nursing. Transport Nursing is the unique and expanded role for a professional nurse, encompassing the air and surface medical transport of critically ill and injured patients. This role is characterized by expanding nursing practices based on the growing body of transport nursing knowledge an ASTNA standards of excellence. ASTNA is the dominant and leading body representing transport nurses. ASTNA is the voice of clinical care, with regard to patient and provider advocacy in the transport medical field. Its leadership is representative of those professional nurses meeting membership criteria. ASTNA's activities are performed in a manner exemplifying a service ethic and orientation toward its membership. These activities are focused on supporting, serving and facilitating communication among professional nurses who practice or are actively involved in the support, education and/or management of transport nurses.