Wilderness first responder?

That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Oct 11, 2011

I would get in contact with your local search and rescue and see what they offer. I know mine always had a ton of classes that were offered or information on the classes to get all the members trained and up to date. Make sure too that if you do a WFR course, it gives you some skills with orienteering, survival skills, that kind of stuff that you might have to worry about if an emergency happens in the outdoors. Cause when they do, they can be "fun"

nurse2033, MSN, RN · Oct 12, 2011

I don't think it will do much for your resume. If you had a lot of experience to go with it that would be different. I would wait to move and join a rescue org. first. If you get the cert first and don't use it for a while, you will lose your chops. You could express your interest at an interview, but you won't learn a whole lot that will help you directly in the hospital (I've been a paramedic for 16 years). And even if you did learn a lot to help your RN practice, it probably won't be recognized by the RNs that hire you.

Juwon · Oct 12, 2011

The more knowledge is always better, but they do have wilderness emergency medical tech programs that are like a semester long. Its pretty interesting and intense. Shows you what to do in rural areas when you don't have lots of equipment and resources

ImThatGuy, BSN, RN · Oct 12, 2011

In my state, first responders (wilderness or not) are not regulated at all by the state. One has to be an EMT or higher for that "privilege." That being said, I don't think WFR would do anything for you professionally speaking especially in nursing/APN circles.

However, I have seen that many nurses in assorted areas of the hospital, particularly my own nursing school faculty, are often nearly incompetent when it comes to some type of completely unexpected medical emergency or life threatening crisis. I guess you have to work in that type of area (ER, ICU, EMS) to be "accustomed" to it. As one example, I once watched a classmate collapse in a chair and seize while the instructor stood by and said, "Someone find a blood pressure cuff." I'm not sure what that was going to do for the immediate problem, but that was her reaction. I moved her to the floor, pushed chairs away from her, put something under her head, and was ready to turn her when she puked and support her airway as much as possible given the circumstance.

Wilderness First Responder is to me a cool thing because it teaches you how to deal with the types of injuries you'd deal with in that type of environment with little to no equipment available. Most nurses, that I know, aren't mentally prepared for that anymore than the general public, and WFR would provide you with that extra improvisational skill that school doesn't give you. I personally don't feel the cost you're willing to pay is justifiable, but I think the experience would be great for ANYONE who has never done anything similar.

On top of WFR, one can take Wilderness EMT, and even Wilderness Advanced Life Support (WALS). You don't really see them around my area, but "regular" first responders and EMT's (I'm one) abound locally. I suspect that's the case also in areas of my state where search and rescue organizations are more active and needed.

Like another said, if you don't use it or think about it regularly it probably won't be any good to you or anyone else you wish to help with the training.

FlyingScot, RN · Oct 12, 2011

First responders aren't even close to nurses no matter what education the nurses have. A first responder provides basic medical care until the patient can be brought to a higher level of care (or the care brought to them). By basic medical care I mean bandaging, splinting, treating for shock, etc. My winter job is ski patrolling at a local resort. In the hierarchy of care we are considered first responders. The closest correlation, sort of, would be to an EMT-B (I'm one of those too) but without the ability to administer medications or intubate which an EMT-B in my state can only do if the patient is pulseless. First responders can have varying skill levels. Some first responders provide only the simplest of care while others, like ski patrollers, are trained to insert airway adjuncts, apply traction splints, backboards and are trained in advanced rescue techniques. Really none of it is all that applicable to your resume so not sure it's worth the money. For your personal growth I'd highly recommend it.

FlyingScot, RN · Oct 12, 2011

Wanted to add. The National Ski Patrol's Outdoor Emergency Care (OEC) course only costs $300 for non-NSP members. It's like $60 bucks if you are a member. The NSP just rolled out it's latest edition of the text. It's published by the same company that publishes EMT and paramedic texts and is considered and EMT-B level course with a focus on cold weather rescues/injuries.

CharmedJ7 · Oct 12, 2011

First off, I want to say that WFR and FR are not the same - wilderness training assumes you are farther from aid and thus you learn a lot more techniques and skills (tourniquets for example). Also note there are organizations (like NOLS) that offer wilderness courses specifically for medical professionals which would probably be more appropriate.

In the end though I agree with most of the above - it's unlikely to help your resume unless it spurs the interest of the person reading it who is also into wilderness med. Exception potentially if you want to go work with doctors without borders or something like that in really remote areas. I think it's absolutely worth doing, but not as a resume pad.

nightowl29 · Oct 12, 2011

I'm a RN and a WFR. I took the course because of the amount of time I spend in the backcountry. While it might not do much for my resume, on a personal level it was a great decision to take the course despite the cost. I learned some new skills that I would never have any use for working on my unit....but I've already found indispensable away for close health care. Just ask the guy whose shoulder I reduced:)

I say go for it, if you have any interest and are able to swing it financially.

phoenixrn · Oct 12, 2011

This is what I am planning on doing ASAP : http://www.nols.edu/wmi/courses/wildupgrademedpros.shtml

Had a harrowing experiencing in Yosemite this summer. Don't ever want to be caught off guard again.

FlyingScot, RN · Oct 13, 2011

First off, I want to say that WFR and FR are not the same - wilderness training assumes you are farther from aid and thus you learn a lot more techniques and skills (tourniquets for example). Also note there are organizations (like NOLS) that offer wilderness courses specifically for medical professionals which would probably be more appropriate.

No kidding! I thought "wilderness" just meant you were in the burbs, and yes, WFR and FR are the same. By definition they are the first people on the scene who are trained to provide basic care to people with injuries/illness until they can get to a higher level of care. As I said in my post there are varying skill levels of first responders but they are still first responders. I looked at the syllabus for the WFR course and it is identical to the National Ski Patrol's OEC course. Both would be considered one of the higher levels of first responders but they are still...first responders. Their skills still fall under the category of basic care. BTW, I learned how to use a tourniquet in Girl Scouts...when I was 9. Personally I think the FR courses are perfect for nurses. We can't practice independently( ie. starting IV's) even in an emergency situation and nursing school really doesn't teach us how to treat injuries/illnesses without all of our fancy equipment. It has served me well for the last 32 years both in my personal and professional life.

ImThatGuy, BSN, RN · Oct 13, 2011

No kidding! I thought "wilderness" just meant you were in the burbs, and yes, WFR and FR are the same. By definition they are the first people on the scene who are trained to provide basic care to people with injuries/illness until they can get to a higher level of care. As I said in my post there are varying skill levels of first responders but they are still first responders. I looked at the syllabus for the WFR course and it is identical to the National Ski Patrol's OEC course. Both would be considered one of the higher levels of first responders but they are still...first responders. Their skills still fall under the category of basic care. BTW, I learned how to use a tourniquet in Girl Scouts...when I was 9. Personally I think the FR courses are perfect for nurses. We can't practice independently( ie. starting IV's) even in an emergency situation and nursing school really doesn't teach us how to treat injuries/illnesses without all of our fancy equipment. It has served me well for the last 32 years both in my personal and professional life.

I didn't know you were a girl.