Thinking about volunteering at camp for a week- terrified

Welcome to camp nursing!! I work in the ER and I understand what you mean about always use to taking care of those who are truely sick. We workup almost everyone. I think the biggest thing to remember is that most kids are healthy!! When taking care of kids I think of what I would do with my own. When I have a kiddo come in with abdominal pain at camp, I do what I would with my own. I ask them if they have used the bathroom, I ask if they have eaten, that kind of thing. And let me tell you kids get anxious bellys at camp. It might be a good idea to see if you can shadow a school nurse. You can see how they interact with the kids and they would have great advise for you. It would also be good to shadow a ER Nurse where they deal with alot of peds, then you can really see what a sick kid looks like. I think that helps me the most is that I know what a bad break, asthma attack, or a dehydrated kid looks like. And ask lots of questions!! It might be a good idea to go the local ER near the camp and meet with someone, and ask if you could call and get advise if needed. Good luck!! Camp nursing has been the greatest experience!!
Monica

I think you will do great as you are so aware of being "terrified". I have been involved in camp nursing for 10 years now and love it. Our local churches here in San Diego bring several hundred kids up to Palomar Christian Conference Center every summer and we have a wonderful time. Remember that most of the kids who come to camp are healthy and you will also have the health forms on hand to help you get to know the kids a bit better. There will always be a handful of kids that you will see every day, but most you won't know them unless you reach out to them. My policy has always been to call 911 1st if I think an injury could require medical attention beyond what I can provide. I know that I can also cancel the ambulance but they are on the way if I need them. We are so far away from any Hospital and it takes time. Most of your kids will come in for medications, stomach aches (mostly home-sick, dehydrated or constipated) We have a box of kids books & gatoraide available for those kids who have not had a BM for days. We say "take this into the bathroom and don't come out until something comes out". This gets a smile on the faces and usually works great. Remember, most of the kids are having so much fun they don't take the time to sit in the bathroom for the time they need too, don't drink enough water and are not getting enough sleep. Plus you are like "mom" to most of the younger kids. We put together most of our guidelines with the help of the "ACN" Association of CAmp Nurses. They have some great books as well. I do use the ER staff when I need them...they are just a phone call away and always very helpful. Have fun!

I love my time I spend as a camp nurse! As a school nurse, I have the luxury of summers off, so I usually volunteer at our church camp a couple weeks per summer. Haven't had any true emergencies, sent a couple out for stitches, had one with asthma problems not relieved by her albuterol, until I realized her albuterol was empty! Gave her mine, and she was fine. (I know, not something you would do in the hospital) Mostly see constipation and homesickness in the young ones. Always have a couple with epi-pens. The bee sting allergic ones make me nervous since we're outside most of the time, but I've never had to use the epi-pen.Funky rashes show up around mid-week either from bug bites, poison ivy or swimming every day and not showering. Mostly RELAX, get to know and enjoy the kids, get closer to God if it's a church camp.Enjoy nature. It's a great experience!