Theresa Cozzetti is a flying nurse. Being any kind of nurse would earn you wings, but Theresa literally depends upon her wings to do her daring job… Airplane or helicopter wings, that is…

“The majority of my career has been spent in the air—either in a helicopter or an airplane.”

Theresa first became a flight nurse 4 years after finishing nursing school. While working in a trauma unit in San Diego, she watched a patient being flown in from Mexico. Immediately she thought, “I want to do that.”

Shortly thereafter, Theresa continued to work in a trauma unit but started flying in fixed-wing aircrafts on a part time basis. She loved the variety, critical thinking and the autonomy. It later evolved into a full time job.

After Theresa’s second daughter was born, she quit flying due to the very unpredictable hours, and went back to work in the ICU and emergency department. Although, when her youngest daughter graduated high school, she immediately started flying again in the Pacific Northwest!

What do you do for work?

For all of my life I have worked as a nurse in critical care, in the emergency department or in flight nursing. The majority of my career has been spent in the air—either in a helicopter or an airplane.

What do you do when you don’t know what to do?

When I don’t know what to do, I call my daughters, family or close friends for advice.

What would you do if you had the whole day to yourself?

If I had the whole day to myself, I would explore a new city in a foreign country.

What is the best thing about being a woman?

The best thing about being a woman is the experience of the fun, close relationships I share with my daughters.

What is the one piece of clothing you cannot live without?

The one piece of clothing I cannot live without is a unique and flattering top in a stylish print.