[finally]

Hello everyone...I am going to be the RN at an all girls camp age 7-14 this summer...It's my first job as a nurse and I'm a bit nervous...I will be with an LPN the first 2wks, than I'm on my own the last week...My director has organized everything geniously, but any advise out there??? Thanks

[IamRN]

In all honesty, I would be hesitant if I knew the RN at my child's camp was a new grad. But maybe that is just me.

Have you considered the responsibility you are taking on?

Sorry, I don't mean to burst your bubble. Both the mom and the RN in me are talking.

[finally]

Well, I can see where your coming from as a mom and all, but I guess this camp has had new grads in the past...and they've kept the kids safe...I think it will be okay especially considering I won't be alone at first...What do you think?? I get the feeling you think I should turn this job down...but I've already accepted it?? Any words of encouragement...

Originally Posted by IamRN

In all honesty, I would be hesitant if I knew the RN at my child's camp was a new grad. But maybe that is just me.

Have you considered the responsibility you are taking on?

Sorry, I don't mean to burst your bubble. Both the mom and the RN in me are talking.

[mmatzo]

I think that if you trust your director and yourself, know when to ask questions, and use the skills that you learned in nursing school, that all will be well. Everyone has to start somewhere, and I'm confident that you will make good decisions this summer!

Originally Posted by finally

Well, I can see where your coming from as a mom and all, but I guess this camp has had new grads in the past...and they've kept the kids safe...I think it will be okay especially considering I won't be alone at first...What do you think?? I get the feeling you think I should turn this job down...but I've already accepted it?? Any words of encouragement...

[suzanne4]

I have to agree that taking a job like this as a new nurse will be a little overwhelming for most. Example, what would you do for a near-drowning?
What would you do for a diving accident? Waht would you do for a head injury?

Unfortunately, these are things that you do not practice with while you are in school and unless you worked ER for a couple of years as a tech.........
how close is your back-up facility to where you are? Such as paramedics and hospital?

I know that this is just my two cents but??????

[angel337]

first of all, congratulations on becoming a RN!. as a fairly new grad myself (ER) I think that I would be a little leery taking a job with children without any previous acute pediatric experience. peds is totally different from adults and you need to have good assessment skills to recognize signs/symtoms in peds that may be normal for adults. i agree with suzanne that ER experience helps and even though i was a tech for four years in ER, i still would not be comfortable with that responsibility. remember you have a license to protect and unfortunately your superiors are not fully responsible for any decisions you make. don't get me wrong, i am not trying to scare you or discourage you but i find working with peds can be more complicated because you are not only treating the child you are treating the whole family. and anyone who has worked with children know excatly what i am talking about.
some tips i would give you is to study all your emergent/rescue material in and out. practice, practice CPR on a teddy bear or baby doll at home. know your normal vs for peds. study food and drug allergies/interactions (children will eat peanut butter knowing they are allergic to it just because they think "its only reeses pieces, i'll be okay") study the proper use of inhalers and be prepared to teach those very compliant little children how important it is to use them when they are short of breath. buy some pocket references that you can refer to (go to www.bn.com) for all drug and emergency questions. make sure you know the camps policies and procedures. i think you should be fine if you are prepared as much as possible. and also don't hesitate to seek help no matter how minor you may think a situation is. good luck and tell us how it goes

[nurse educate]

Originally Posted by finally

Hello everyone...I am going to be the RN at an all girls camp age 7-14 this summer...It's my first job as a nurse and I'm a bit nervous...I will be with an LPN the first 2wks, than I'm on my own the last week...My director has organized everything geniously, but any advise out there??? Thanks

I don't blame you for being nervous. I'm working at a camp for a week this summer, and I've been a nurse for 9 yrs (4 yrs in peds), and I'm a mom!

A few things the director asked me on an interview that might give you an idea of what you're up for:

Can you recognize poison ivy...Can you recognize ringworm...Can you distinguish between a 'tummy ache' (ie, homesickness) and something real (ie, appendicitis). Also some things I asked were regarding the nearest hospital, the nearest paramedics, etc., and the policies regarding informed consent (with no parent present) and do they need to contact them prior to treatment.

Also I found out my camp that they have a deal with the Ped. in town, who will see a kid if it's necessary. Also they give us standing orders for Benadryl, Calamine lotion, Tylenol, etc.

Just some food for thought

[Chad_KY_SRNA]

I have worked in a camp first aid clinic for several years in the summer, it is the most fun ever. Helped to teach the basic first aid class for the campers with an EMT and would help her with First Aid. I encourage you to go and have a good time. We saw heat exhaustion, lots of scraped knees, some sprains, aches and pains, and a case of "the runs". If this camp trains all of its staff to keep the kids safe it is not going to be a hard job. The RN will be there to back you up and you are a nurse, you will do fine. It common sense nursing/First aid stuff. All lifeguards are certified in backboard rescues if an accident were to occur and you felt uncomfortable. Let me know how it goes, I miss the first aid office so much. Have fun!

[finally]

Hi everyone, and thank you for all the replies. I am having a complete blast at camp and learning a lot of great assessment skills!! I will fill you all in when I get home....thanks again!!

[nightingale]

Cool finally! Glad to hear it is going well!

Do you have a doc on call for backup? Just curious.

It is good to hear from you.