Christine Rincon, MSN, RN, CCRN
Christine Rincon, MSN, RN, CCRN (She/Her) is the founder of The Space Nurse, LLC, a pioneering organization dedicated to integrating nursing expertise into aerospace medicine. Inspired by a desire to help people and personal family experiences with illness, Christine began her journey in healthcare as a veterinary technician before transitioning into nursing. She earned her associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees in nursing, along with paramedic certification and an EMT license, building a diverse clinical foundation that spans critical care, emergency medicine, and flight transport. Her dual role as a nurse-paramedic transporting critically ill patients internationally exposed her to the challenges of low-resource, high-stakes environments, fueling her interest in space medicine and the growing opportunities presented by private space enterprises like SpaceX and Blue Origin. Christine’s career has been defined by a commitment to translating clinical expertise into innovative applications for aerospace and high-acuity environments. She develops educational content on space physiology, human factors, and operational medicine, while creating mentorship to help nurses find their niche in space healthcare. Through her advocacy, she will ensure that nursing professionals are represented in space policy, mission planning, and health system design. Her efforts aim to bridge the gap between terrestrial critical care and spaceflight, preparing nurses to thrive in the unique and evolving field of space medicine. An accomplished clinician and educator, Christine has been recognized for her dedication to patient care and professional excellence. She was the first recipient of the DAISY Award at Lakeside Medical Center, highlighting her extraordinary contributions as a nurse. Fluent in Spanish, Christine actively engages in community service as a Stop the Bleed instructor and serves as Research and Education Chair for Women in Aerospace Medicine. She has published on rural nurse burnout and space nursing careers, combining clinical expertise, advocacy, and innovation to shape the future of nursing on Earth and beyond.
• Paramedic
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support
• Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
• NASA Open Science 101
• Prehospital Trauma Life Support
• Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
• Basic Life Support
• IS 100.C: Introduction to Incident Command
• IS 200.C: Basic Incident Command System for Initial Response
• Emergency Nurse Pediatric Course
• Trauma Care After Resuscitation
• Healthcare Quality Principles
• Western Governors University - MSN
• Florida International University - BSN
• Broward College - AS
• DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses
• Aerospace Medical Association
• American Nurses Association
• Florida Nurses Association
• Aerospace Medical Association
• Stop the Bleed - Save a Life
• NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration
• AACN (American Association of Critical-Care Nurses)
• Astronomy for Equity
• Multi-Omics AWG - NASA GeneLab
• The ALS Association Florida Chapter
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the invaluable mentorship I received from Pat Treasure in med-surg and Shawna Pandya in space medicine. Their guidance, expertise, and encouragement have been instrumental in shaping my professional growth, providing me with the knowledge, confidence, and perspective necessary to excel in my field. Their mentorship has inspired me to continually pursue excellence and to approach challenges with both curiosity and resilience.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would advise young women entering nursing to embrace the flexibility of this career and not feel limited by traditional paths or external expectations. My own journey from veterinary technician to nurse taught me the importance of caring not only for patients but also for their families. I also encourage exploring opportunities that combine clinical work with data analysis and research, as nurses are uniquely positioned to bridge patient care with data-driven practices, creating meaningful impact in both clinical and analytical arenas.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Space medicine has no path for nurses and I am looking to remedy that through partnerships and networking
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in both my work and personal life center on service, education, and community impact. I am committed to empowering others, exemplified through my role as a Stop the Bleed trainer, where I conduct monthly classes to equip community members with lifesaving skills. This dedication to teaching, helping others, and fostering preparedness reflects my belief in giving back, continuous learning, and making a meaningful difference in the lives of those around me.
Locations
The Space Nurse, LLC
Royal Palm Beach, FL 33411