Camp Nursing as a Student

[twss2323]

I would love to get a job this summer at a camp. I know some camps offer positions to students. However, I'm having a hard time actually finding camps to apply at (it could just be the way I'm googling, but still). Anyways, do any of you have experience as a student or working with students. How did you go about finding positions and applying? Any and all information you can provide will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

[Alex Egan, LPN, EMT-B]

My advice would be to find a camp or a few camps and contact them via their websites. A brief email explaining what you are looking for and asking if they could find a place for you in their organization, should clear things up. Be aware of what you do and do not want to do.

Some camps will think nothing of dropping you into a situation you may not be prepared to, or educated to handle. I recommend you review previous threads about UAPs in the camp setting, to get opinions on what your role as a nursing student at camp should look like in a responsible organization.

Personally my camp does not really have a role that would be extremely educational for a student. Our assistant is mostly clerical, with the additional duties of feeding, and transporting children on camp, and helping to clean. A student would would be willing to do the assistant job could gain some insight to the nursing process in camp, however actual opportunities to do nursing skills would be non existent.

Good luck, feel free to pm me if you would like.

[CloudySue]

At a camp I worked at previously, we had a nursing student (entering senior year) who would basically do triage on the porch of the HC. She had the laptop, a huge jug of water and a big first aid kit. She'd log the visit into the computer, fix boo-boos and splinters on the spot, and give out water to those who needed it. If it was something more, like something that needed an ibuprofen or cold med, or an injury, they'd be allowed inside right away. It was great because it kept the crowds away and we could focus on whoever seriously needed a licensed professional.

[twss2323]

Thanks for the info and responses! CloudySue, that's the exact type of experience I'm looking for! I know I won't be able to do a lot of "nursing" things as a student.. But I'm looking for the camp experience with the opportunity to integrate my learning as well.

[kaufer01]

One of the camps I've worked for did have a nursing student as one of the full time nurses in the health center, they had him do a training on medication administration so he was able to pass meds, however, he was also an EMT so he had a lot of additional medical experience and there was also a licensed RN there with him. That being said, he was expected to be able to handle things on his own if the other nurse was taking care of something else. You may want to consider taking a first responder class or something similar to gain additional skills if the camp setting is something that really interests you.

I really think it depends on the type of camp and what they are looking for staff wise. Your best bet is to figure out the region or state you want to work in, researching camps in that area, taking a close look at their websites, and then contacting the camps directly.