I responded to one of the questions posed here so I will post the link and response:
http://allnurses.com/forums/showthre...threadid=22229
Our camp did not have a theme other then varied sports and social events. There were weekly overnights of campers. There was also a week long trip by the oldest teen group of about a dozen teens and approximately 5 counselors.
At the start of camp we performed head/lice check of all the 300 or so campers. The age’s ranged from 7 years to 18 +. WE also proved the head/lice checks to the camp counselors, instructors, and teachers.
We organized medical slips with permission slips and Mars. We had “pill call” each day after meals. We organized and set up pills for counselors who had those campers on overnights such as camping out; this happened approximately once a week for a small percentage of campers and the list of campers rotated. There were approximately 60 campers who took pills regularly. Most pills were taken in the morning with some having pills up to three times a day. WE also held onto PRN meds the campers and counselors had.
We had “sick call” twice a day after breakfast and after dinner hour. We were available 24/7 for emergencies for all campers and staff. To be honest, there were a lot less sick calls during the middle of the night then I expected; I would approximate it at 3-5 times in an weekly.
There were three of us nurses available. AT the time, all three of us were RN’s. A third nurse was to rotate in as an LPN. Time off really varied. There were three days off that were not 24-hour days for each of us. Although the head nurse, had weekends off to accommodate her other job.
Quite frankly, I was pretty bored. I looked forward to some opportunities for wellness teaching and that was really not encouraged. In fact, there was little teaching done at the clinic and when I pointed this out I was laughed at. I felt rather sorry at times for those kids who really just wanted to come down for a break from the grind of their busy schedules; this was discouraged and simply not allowed in most cases. Do not get me wrong, the letter of health care was done but there were missed opportunities that were not allowed. One counselor pointed out how simple hand washing teaching to the cabins could have minimized many colds there were being spread; so I taught the counselor how to teach the kids.
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Additionally Desert and Renerian, to respond to your questions, let me point out that I was VERY bored. There were days where it was exciting because of the children's activites. There were days where I simply had to wait at the Infirmary for something to happen. I did not like the later. We did have walkie talkies but I was expected to wait at the infirmary for coverage.
A typical day:
0800 Wake Call via loudspeaker of trumpet or revelry
0830 Start of Breakfast at dinner hall
0930 Pill Distribution outside of dining hall (approx. 5 dozen)
1000 Sick Call - the other nurse would start sick call at the infirmary while pills were distributed - it usually lasted 30 to 45 minutes.
12:15 Lunch at dining hall Afternoon meds distributed after luch outside of dining hall
5:00 PM Dinner at dining hall or sometimes at outside benches for a barbecue (yummmm) Evneing meds distributed after the meal
Evening sick call was after dinner but I can not remember the time. I think it was right after dinner. We also did another pill distribution and check up around 9 for a few children who had special care needed like asthmatics. This was a very unpopular one as the kids really wanted stay at their bunks or the evening activities etc... We did do a minimal med distribution at that time as well.
Throughout the day we dealt with emergencies. It was pretty easy. We had lots of bee stings and bumbs and bruising, especially around the times of competitive events. Towards the end we started getting the flu infestations, ear infections, etc... I went to the hospital a couple of times with injuries and to the DR. office about 15 minutes away with sore throats and suspect ear infections.
All in all --- it was quite easy, responsibliity wise. There were very few "in the middle of the night" emergencies. We rotated, between thr three of us, the evening on call.
In retrospect, I would be sure to have my own car. I am used to making my own decisions about when and where I go. I thought, through conversations made, that I would have more help with rides etc. It simply was hit or miss. One morning, one of the other nurses waited several hours for a ride from the director for her day off; while sitting on the bench, dressed and ready to go, she was informed that there was a change in plans. Well, what are you gonna do? Not much... walk into town 2 miles away and get a pizza? Yeah you could.. but it was dissapointing for her. Fortunately, for her, the other nurse was kind enough to loan her her car for a few hours.
The commodities were: transportation, food, and treats. I smuggled candy in for my kids from the beggining. Many of the kids had the taboos that were a big no-no from the beggining. It was most comical to see the artful ways the kids made do with the existing heirarchy.
Overall it was vey pleasant, especially to see how my kids enjoyed themselves. I will deffinitely be more clear and have more in writing of those issues that I am counting on.
I do not think I was treated with a professionalism that I expected. I do not want to make this personal because it was not. Most of the leaders had the same complaints; we were highly controlled. We were told to not wear caps a certain way as this looked "gang-ish", nor could we die our hair blond because several members did this and it looked too clickish, (yada-yada) we were told we could participate in any of the actiivties but when we did we were questioned in front of other leaders to be sure "our chores" were done and that we really did have coverage while we were taking our break. It was most degrading for me to go to events only to be embarrassed in front of colleagues with the third degree (everyone had this complaint).
I will not go into anymore personally then that. I do want to say that there was an overall feeling of mistrust for one another and a gossip chain that was not positive and was hard to avoid in the loop. I often did not sit at the "Director Table" because I feel I was being pumped for information rather then allowed to relax and be treated as an equal. Thre was an undercurrent of disrepect and mistrust. At one point,l I anounced that I thought it was like a prison or honor farm. Slowly the other leaders would then share their stories and real selves with me. It was all rather odd and so very different then what I expected (hind site is 20/20).
Again, I would recommend it in a heart beat to anyone. Just know what you are getting into when you get there.
There is a great list of questions you can ask when interviewing for a prosective job at the ACN Nursing website. It would have helped emmensely if I had been more thorough with those type of questions. Here is that website:
http://www.campnurse.org/jobs/tips.html
I hope this helps. I encourage you to follow your dreams. Let us know how we can help in that endeavor. Thank you for asking for further explanation. And yes, I plan to work next summer... but somewhere else.
B.
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