Book: The Basics of Camp Nursing

Specialties Camp

Published

Has anyone read or have this book? The authors are: Erceg, and Pravda. I was looking at the sneak peak on Amazon and it looked like a good resource.

Also to prepare myself for camp I think I am going to write some possible scenarios and what would be done at camp to amend them. I think that is a good idea.

When is everyone going to camp? Countdown is on! 44 days and counting!!

Specializes in Family Medicine, Tele/Cardiac, Camp.

I've enjoyed reading this thread. :) I'm not a camp nurse, but was in Girl Scouts for 10 years, went to camp as a camper, worked as a counselor in training, and worked as an arts and crafts counselor before I went to nursing school.

I'm starting grad school this fall (FNP) and will probably be either going per diem or quitting my current job by the end of the school year. I have a teeny bit of peds experience (about 6 months total doing inpatient and home-care), but it occurred to me that if I do a little more pedi work this year I may be able to go back to camp as a camp nurse next summer! :D

It's probably a little silly, but this makes me SO excited. I really miss working with kids and I always loved being in a camp setting. I'm going to have to check out the book and this community a little more. :)

Thanks!

Welcome, SnowshoeRN! Camp nursing is the best job ever, especially if you can get hired at the camp you attended as a child. I've done 3 summers at "my" camp and loved it. The pay isn't great, so I've had to stay at my regular job the past 2 summers, but I'm always thinking about going back.

Specializes in Step-Down.

UPDATE: Hey guys!! This is the last week of camp here and it is certainly bitter sweet!! I have had a crazy and amazing summer! The level of acuity at this camp is INSANE I have seen: appendisitis, coxsakie, broken bones, more sprained ankles than I can count, whooping cough (5 days of isloation not so fun with masks on!!), walking pnaumonia, bronchitis, mental illness, pink eye outbreak!!- 11 campers with pink eye!!, panic attacks, seizures, crazy med pass every day!! Folliculitis, sinus infections, strep throat, and the closed head injuries, concusions, emergency room visits, calling 911 for an ambulance at least 6 times INSANE!! 3 nurses quit! I have been working 18 hours a day, kids come in every second of the day for minor things mosquito bites, splinters, colds, ect.

Pros: I am getting amazing expierence, my assessment skills are through the roof, and I love seeing the kids get better!!

How is your summer going?

Holy Smokes, Batman!!! LongIsland, you certainly have your hands full, yikes!!! How many campers do you have? I feel like a slug compared to you, but I have been busy with crafty things the camp needed done, so time is not wasted.

SnowShoe, welcome to the camp nurse world! If you're doing a per-diem or part time thing, summer camp might just be the place. Pay is not always spectacular, but I like the perks. Most places include room and board, so your expenses are cut down, too. There are even places that let you bring your children. You also might try to squeeze in a public health practicum. We had a nurse a couple summers ago that was doing an on-line masters program, and was able to work her way into using it for clinical time. Can't hurt!

We are wrapping up the last week of camp, too. It will be nice to hang out with my grown children again, and sleep with my cat on my tummy. But I will be trading the call of the loons on the lake for the sounds of traffic and people. Oh well, hope to be back next summer!

Specializes in Step-Down.

We have about 220 kids! One of the nurses who was here last year said that last year the kids were not so sick. I have no idea where these crazy illnesses and outbreaks are coming from!! Did I mention we have ALOT of hypochondriacs? There is ALSO a geriatric adult vacation center across the lake that we have to attend to as well!!! As if the kids were not enough!!

I love it though the kids are very thankful and funny! Believe it or not I cannot wait to come back next year!!

Specializes in Non-Oncology Infusion currently.

I LOVED this book!!!! I just returned from camp after caring for about 80 high school marching band students in northern Michigan. I was there with them for a week. Had a BLAST!! It is the fourth time I have been their nurse but still ordered this book in April to brush up. Many good ideas and for those of us who only dabble in camp nursing, very helpful! Highly recommend this. I ordered a used copy from Amazon and it was less than $10.00. Totally the way to go! I am officially....a HAPPY CAMPER!:D

Specializes in Family Medicine, Tele/Cardiac, Camp.

SnowShoe, welcome to the camp nurse world! If you're doing a per-diem or part time thing, summer camp might just be the place. Pay is not always spectacular, but I like the perks. Most places include room and board, so your expenses are cut down, too. You also might try to squeeze in a public health practicum. We had a nurse a couple summers ago that was doing an on-line masters program, and was able to work her way into using it for clinical time. Can't hurt!

Public health practicum! Say, that's a great idea! I'm planning to do my public health rotation in the spring, but maybe I can get my hours reduced a little if I make them up over the summer. We'll see. I'll have to look into it. And I haven't been able to get a pedi position, but I'm hoping that if I can find a way to do my public health rotation following a school nurse it might be considered enough experience. I hope so. I have no idea how much experience I would need to be considered. I'm itching to look in the boundary waters area though. I have a good friend who has just moved back to MN after living in New Zealand for the past 5 years and it's be great if I could see her every once in a while over the summer. I'm excited for this summer. I hope I can find a way to do this. :)

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