Being the only camp nurse

Be sure and eyeball the next week camper health forms ahead of time so you know who is coming that is DM, etc. Get a list of campers and be sure you have a health form on every child. Ask if the infirmary has internet access so you can look up kids medical conditions and meds. If not bring a med book. Take several books for down time, laptap so you can watch movies. Take old National Geograhic to read then have sick kids make collages--bring a glue stick. During staff orientation, inform staff about HIPPA.Take that time to educate the staff on myths of bedwetting and how DDAVP works and that there are large pullups for campers (be sure the infirmary has some--I've had parents not know about them or that there are meds available!!!) If staff takes kid to ER, remind them their job is the driver and any medical questions/problems the ER needs to call YOU and any treatment at ER is confidential and not to be discussed with campers/staff. Stop by the ER and introduce yourself and don't forget the cookies. Assemble pt ed handouts on bee stings and DM to hand out to counselors that will have kids with these conditions. If camper leaves to go on hike/canoeing be sure epipen goes with them. Take a couple epipen trainers (look on ebay) to do some training.

Things I take to camp that most camps don't have:
eyeglass repair kit, sewing kit, poligrip dental adhesive (temp glue for caps/crowns that fall off), reading glasses (they make great magnifiers for removing spinters and leaves your hands free. Take some crystal lite drink packets for H2O bottles (for you!), my own large insulated mug/cup. Most of this stuff you can get at the dollar store--except for bring a decent pair of splinter forceps. While at the dollar store get a few crazy hats, wigs, hula skirts, eye glasses with the big nose etc to you to wear. Also get several small stuffed animals for boys/girls that may lose a tooth at camp, spend the night in the infirmary or are homesick. Your employer should reimburse you for some of these things. I get a bottle of Benadryl at the dollar store too because sometimes the camps are out and I want one in my hand when I get there.

Review your psych meds and ADHD meds--kids come to camp on an amazing array of psychotropic meds.

Google and find out what state/county regulations appply to camps so you know you are in compliance.

If you bring your kids, get them a few small stuffed animals and I miss you cards. Have family send cards too. My kids were sometimes sad at mail time because they NEVER got cards or things from home so every few weeks I would mail them (yah! from camp to camp!) to brighten their day. Don't show any affection for your children in dining hall or in front of other kids or you will have an outbreak of homesickness. Don't go into their cabin, esp at night or it will be tears all around...they can sneak to the infirmary for hugs prn.

Last summer was my 1st experience as a camp nurse - a very last minute decision! I enjoyed it - but, I was the only nurse 24/7 for 3 weeks with not one day off. Personally, I would not do that again. I live in Texas and worked in upstate New York (never made into NYC which is kind of why I went). Like someone else stated - when I would try to participate in activities - I would always end up back in the infirmiry!

I am just going to relax this summer. If I ever do summer camp again - I do not want to be the only nurse (I get that as a school nurse enough already). Even the teenage counselors got 1.5 days off every session!

Honestly, my daughter being a camper for free was really made it worth while. The money was peanuts if you broke it down hourly!

However - to answer someone else's question......It was nice to wear shorts and flip-flops to work everyday!

Enjoy spending time with the kids at the camp activities when you can. Whenever I go to an activity that involves all or most of the camp, I take my "go bag" with me. I keep alot of things I might need so that I don't have to walk back to the infirmary. Things such as bandaids, epipen, tylenol, tums, benadryl, throat lozenges, gauze, cold pack, stethoscope, etc and a little notebook to write down anything I might do. Seems like I dip into this bag almost every time I go along with the camp. Makes things much easier. This is also the bag I grab when called to the field to see a camper so I don't have to think what to grab on the way.

Love being a camp nurse, can't wait for summer to start.

Happy camping!!

Hey, this year will be my 3rd year as a camp nurse and I'm the only nurse at camp. I actually prefer it this way! I put a little board on my door saying where I am if I'm not in the infirmary. I also carry a walkie talkie and counselors will radio me before sending any kids down. That way I'm able to make my rounds through the activities and join in if I wish. The only thing I feel I can't do is any water sports because if there is an emergency I need to be able to run asap! I've spent a lot of time at arts and crafts!! I love being a camp nurse, I can't wait to go back this summer! For "uniform", I wear what ever I want. This usually means a tanktop and shorts for me. I wear the camp staff t-shirt on check-in days with a name tag.
If you have any more questions, feel free to email me at danacharlee[at]gmail[dot]com

Hey Littlewing,

Have you been to "camp" yet? If so, how was it????

I am going at the end of the month with my two children, can't wait!!!!!!!!!!

I'm glad everyone has had a positive experience, but I cannot say it went that well for me. This was my first time ever being a camp nurse at Camp Shane (weight loss camp) in New York. I was so excited thinking I would enjoy some of the activities and lose a little weight. If I'd only known that I would hardly get out of the health center, barely make it to meals and be astounded by the volume of medications these kids are on. There was no medical screening and many inappropriate children were at the camp. Large volume of soft tissue injuries due to excessive exercise in kids that had mostly been sedentary before attending camp, asthamatic kids pushed into attacks with overexercising and kids not allowed to contact family for 10 days who were extremely homesick and creating illnesses such as abdominal pain, headache, fatigued. It looked so fun on the video and all the PR material we received that my son attended as a camper and was absolutely miserable. We couldn't make it the length of time we originally signed on for. Good luck to anyone willing to give this job a try, it will never again be me.

Hi
I was unable to PM you havent posted enough I suppose. Wondering what your doing now that summer camp is over? Have you relocated? I just accepted a position at Cape Cod Hospital...wondering who is there that I will know.
Cheryl