Imagine that a hiker at Arches National Park is climbing down a tall rock when he slips, taking a nasty fall and lacerating his leg requiring spontaneous care in an inopportune moment. Imagine that a troop is wounded in combat and needs emergency treatment with limited resources. An infant in a small, remote village falls ill. These situations might not seem “typical” for nurse practitioners, but for BYU Nursing College graduates Garrett Mcinnes and Easton Anderson, this is the job description.
Wilderness Medicine, as it’s known, is a step away from a more traditional nursing environment, but it’s a crucial aspect of the field that brings care to many who otherwise wouldn’t receive it. Their passion for wilderness medicine is what led them to create BYU’s Wilderness Medicine Association (WMA), a group within the Nursing College that’s completely dedicated to a more rugged, outdoor part of the practice. The society took off and is now in its second year, making an already excellent nursing school even greater and helping build the BYU of prophecy.
Such exemplary exhibition of BYU’s values by its nursing students is not exclusive to Garrett and Easton, nor does it go unnoticed. To celebrate students like them, the BYU College of Nursing has created a brand new scholarship called the College of Nursing Values in Action Award. It’s aimed at recognizing students who exemplify one of the college’s values: Faith in Christ, Belonging, Excellence, Accountability, and Christlike Service. It’s awarded annually, and anyone in the Nursing program can be nominated regardless of experience or age. In addition to recognizing the recipient, the College of Nursing also awards a $1,000 scholarship to support them in their education.
Garrett and Easton were scholarship co-winners in 2023 for their efforts to form and manage the Wilderness Medicine Society. It wasn’t just the creation of the group that brought them recognition, but their reason behind it and the amazing effort put forth to make it a shining part of the College of Nursing.
Garrett and Easton picked up a passion for Wilderness Medicine after two BYU nursing professors took them to a WM event. They proceeded to increase their skills in other workshops, where they discovered something that didn’t sit right. Surrounded by surgeons, army doctors, and others, they quickly noticed that they were two of the only nurses present. This realization became their motivation for starting the WMA within the Nursing School. Reflecting on that sentiment, Garrett said “I wanted to as a nurse, put our foot forward and show that we have what it takes.” The WMA became a hit, with interest in the activities extending beyond the nursing program to the whole student body.
When asked about the role faith in Jesus Christ played in creating WMA, Easton talked about his conversion to the church and the importance of his missionary service, something he chose over a college football scholarship. Garrett reflected on the similarity of wilderness medicine to how the Savior Himself healed others, extending a hand to the underserved who would normally be overlooked. Garrett expressed gratitude for opportunities to serve like the Savior.
“I love being able to pick people up when they are metaphorically on their knees,” he said.
Another winner, Laura Butler, was nominated last year for demonstrating Excellence. When asked about her definition of “excellence,” she described it as going the extra mile and putting in the extra effort and time to do her best work. Laura referenced the mission of BYU to give students a top-tier education, saying “I definitely think that BYU pushes you.”
She attributed much other success to this academic rigor saying that it put her in a good position going forward. When asked about any advice she had for other students, she highlighted the importance of having the right attitude and doing something you’re passionate about.
The BYU College of Nursing will continue to award the Values in Action scholarship to deserving nursing students who embody the program’s values.