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Supporting excellence in aeromedical care
Thanks to funding from the NZ Flying Doctor Trust, five flight nurses and one flight midwife attended the 2026 College of Air and Surface Transport Nurses (COASTN) Symposium in Hamilton.

The annual conference brings together transport nurses, clinical leaders, and aeromedical specialists from around New Zealand. It provided the flight team with an invaluable opportunity to learn from peers, reflect on best practice, and bring new ideas back to the Service that will ultimately benefit patients and their whānau.

Learning from the past to shape the future
A recurring theme throughout the conference was the evolution of transport nursing in New Zealand and the responsibility today’s clinicians have to continue advancing the profession.

Flight Nurse Katie said hearing from some of COASTN’s founding members was both inspiring and grounding.

“Their stories reinforced a strong sense of identity and connection to retrieval nursing in New Zealand. They spoke to the legacy we inherit and the responsibility we carry to continue shaping the profession for those who will follow.”

Practical lessons for better patient care
Through presentations and case study reviews, the conference explored a range of topics including neonatal and obstetric retrievals, managing complex patient transfers in remote environments, decision-making under pressure, preparing for adverse weather and operational challenges, structured training and team processes, and equipment innovations.

Flight Nurse Tanya said one of her key takeaways was the importance of preparation and teamwork.

“The conference reiterated that preparation and teamwork are the key to successful transport of patients. We must be able to foresee environmental bottlenecks and prepare accordingly, particularly during New Zealand’s ever-changing climate or when caring for complex patients.”

For Flight Nurse Anela, sessions on neonatal retrieval reinforced the value of meticulous planning, communication and whānau support throughout the transfer process.

“I learned that maintaining resilience and having a strategy to handle stress is important. This supports safe decision-making and enables safe practice.”

Learning from real-world experience
One of the most valuable aspects of the symposium was the opportunity to hear real-world case studies from retrieval services around the country.

Presentations highlighted both clinical excellence and the challenges that can arise during complex transfers. The team heard how difficult cases can become opportunities for system improvement when clinicians take time to reflect, learn and advocate for change.

Flight Nurse Emily found these sessions particularly valuable.

“It was very interesting listening to the case studies from other services and how they worked through difficult situations. This will be useful in my job as a flight nurse in case I get into the same tricky situations as them.”

An investment in patients and people
The knowledge, skills, and connections gained at COASTN 2026 will now be shared across the wider flight nursing team, ensuring the benefits extend well beyond the six clinicians who attended.

NZ Flying Doctor Trust CEO Anton Drazevic says the expertise of the Service’s aeromedical teams is built through continuous learning, collaboration, and a commitment to excellence.

“By funding attendance at conferences such as COASTN, we’re helping flight nurses and midwives learn from industry leaders, share experiences with their peers, and bring new ideas back to our service. Ultimately, that’s an investment in better outcomes for our patients and the communities we serve,” Anton says.

The team that attended the conference was unanimous in its appreciation of the Trust’s support.

Katie says attending COASTN was an inspiring and valuable opportunity.

“Attending COASTN 2026 strengthened my practice, broadened my perspective, and reinforced my commitment to contributing to the ongoing development of retrieval care in Aotearoa.”