[ChayaN]

I am working on getting my RN and camp nursing sounds like a fun thing to do in the summer so I can spend more time with my kids. But what do you do about your regular job? Do they let you take a leave of absence for two months?

[RNorBust]

You could possibly work agency if you dont need to carry the benefits for the family. You can take off every summer when there is less work anyway and work at the summer camps. Then in Fall when the agency work starts increasing again you can get your shifts.
dp

[kcangel]

I work PRN so I can just schedule it around work, or schedule work around it.

[Alex'sDad]

There are a LOT of school nurses doing camp nursing. They're off all summer and it gives them the freedom to go to camp. I also work with a lot of "travel" or "agency" nurses who don't need a benefits package and want to be able to control their schedules. A very good friend of mine clears his schedule every summer to go to the Denali National Park in Alaska in July and August to work as a camp/resort nurse.

I work full time as a case manager working for the military. Even though I'm no longer in the army, the army is VERY good about giving me time off with pay to do community service within limits. I only do a couple of weeks each summer.

I did one full summer camp 3 years ago and loved it. If I could find a good paying full time camp nurse position, I'd be there in a minute!

[jlsRN]

I just went per diem so now I'm going to be able to do this.

[nurse educate]

I started doing the camp thing when I was married, working per-diem (but the equivelant of a full time schedule... did it for the flexibility), so I was able to take the time 'off'. Now I am divorced, and I teach FT in a nursing school, and am off the whole summer, so it still works for me.

Also, keep in mind that there are some camps that hire nurses on a weekly basis (mine does). Are you interested in day camp or sleep away? Where are you located? I work for a Girl Scout Camp, and I only go one week per year. I get paid and my daughter goes for free. They'd take me for more, but one is enough for me!!

[AntoinetteRN]

Last summer I was working part-time (24h/w) at a hospital. They gave me the 8 weeks off I needed. I wasn't carrying the benefits then so it wasn't a problem.
This year I am working 32h/w and am carrying the benefits. I found a camp that is looking for a nurse 3 days/w. This allows me to work 2 12hr shifts and only need to use up 8 hrs of ET per week (it'll actually be less since a 12 hr shift is usually a 13 or 14 hrs shift...). It's a good deal. I'll get paid about $1500 for the summer and my 3 boys will go for free.
Can't wait for summer!

[gratefulnurse]

I am perdiem, and pick up a lot of extra shifts during the winter. The hospital I work at has guarrented hours, so in the summer when the demand is not there, the hospital gladly gives me reduced hours. Camp nursing is a great way to kids to go free. We earn it and work for it, but it is better than being in the hospital.