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National Ski Patrol leads in outdoor rescue

I enjoyed reading "Making a Case for Wilderness Medicine" (July, 2012),* but I was disappointed that the National Ski Patrol (NSP) wasn't mentioned. As a 10-year member of this organization, I've taken many of their courses and was honored to serve as a patroller for many years. Through the NSP, I acquired the skills necessary to administer first aid in almost any wilderness environment.

  

Figure. No caption available.

The NSP has become the largest winter rescue organization in the world, with more than 28,500 members serving over 600 ski patrols throughout the United States and certain military areas in Europe.1 The NSP has worked closely with other countries in outdoor emergency care education, and has -assisted in establishing ski patrol -organizations around the world. The NSP is dedicated to serving the public and outdoor recreation industry by providing education and accreditation to emergency care and safety service providers.

 

Editor's note: Thank you for mentioning the NSP! I've been an active member for 24 years and couldn't agree more; the NSP is an excellent organization for wilderness education.

 

-Amy Becker, RN

 

Reston, Va.

 

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Linda Laskowski-Jones, MS, RN, ACNS-BC, CEN, FAWM

 

Editor-in-Chief, Nursing2012.

 

-Mary Lewis, BSN, RN

 

Boynton Beach, Fla.

 

REFERENCE

1. National Ski Patrol. What is the National Ski Patrol? http://www.grpatrol.org/what_is_the_nsp.htm. [Context Link]

Fostering future leaders

Thank you for publishing "Newly Licensed Nurses: A Look at their First 18 Months" (May, 2012).* As a nurse finishing my master's degree in nursing administration and financial leadership, I'm very concerned that new nurses don't receive the support they require to become competent and satisfied with their profession. Seasoned nurse leaders should take new nurses under their wing to nurture and guide them. If RNs follow this suggestion and the suggestions of other nurse leaders, then perhaps our new nurses may become our -future leaders.

This topic isn't new and continues to be problematic. Much research has addressed how and why new nurses experience powerlessness, lack of confidence, fear, anxiety, bullying, and burnout, ultimately leaving the profession they worked so hard to be part of. Even more -literature addresses solutions.

As I learn the facts, I'll continue to follow my heart and use my education to promote programs to support new nurses in hopes that they'll pursue careers in nurse leadership.

RESOURCES

Laschinger HK, Grau AL, Finegan J, Wilk P. New graduate nurses' experiences of bullying and burnout in hospital settings. J Adv Nurs. 2010;66(12):2732-2742.

Morgan A, Mattison J, Stephens M, Medows S. Implementing structured preceptorship in an acute hospital. Nurs Stand. 2012;26(28):35-39.

* Individual subscribers can access articles free online at http://www.nursing2012.com. [Context Link]