Camp nursing in summer

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Has anyone done camp nursing in the summer? I'd love to hear about it.

How long of a stretch does it usually last?

How's the pay?

Can your kids attend while you are there? Is there a discount if they do?

Specializes in Cardiology, School Nursing, General.

I know this sounds weird, but do you know if they hire CMAs as well?

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Specializes in Home Health (PDN), Camp Nursing.
I know this sounds weird, but do you know if they hire CMAs as well?

Hi there. It's the nurse formally known as Big Al. Lol.

Some camps will hire health assistants. The role of which will vary immensely based on the Camp itself and the delegating RN. Always talk to the director or shoot them am email. Trust me health center staffing is a big deal so you never know what they will agree to or need.

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I did it. I was in my 20's, without kids (though the other nurses had kids in camp). I was there the entire summer. It was a residential camp for healthy children - we had 4 RN's and MD on staff! It was a good experience, though I was in an interesting place in my personal life.

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Hi there. It's the nurse formally known as Big Al. Lol.

Some camps will hire health assistants. The role of which will vary immensely based on the Camp itself and the delegating RN. Always talk to the director or shoot them am email. Trust me health center staffing is a big deal so you never know what they will agree to or need.

Thanks!

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Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.

I volunteered for a week of camp nursing, twice, so one of my sons could attend free. I said "twice" because it was my first and last time to do that in one episode. Never again.

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I am a camp nurse for a day camp that lasts 9 weeks. This will be my 14th year. We have grown from a small camp for 150 to over 600 registered campers. The most we have had in one week is 420. But I am still responsible for maintaining charts for all 600+kids. I now have an EMT that helps out and goes on most trips. She is great, but I would love to have another RN on staff with me for days that I would like to take off. The pay is very low. Right now I'm at $24.00/ hour and that is after 13 years!

Good Luck!

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I second the low pay - I did not have a child in camp, and I made about $2400 for the entire summer (and yes, I had to live at camp). I did it for the adventure/experience not the pay. Basically, it paid for the trip to NYC I took once camp was done.

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Specializes in Psychiatric Nursing.
Are you looking for day camp or overnight? The overnight camp where my two kids go is looking for nurses. They offered me a job but it doesn't work with my schedule (my kids attend second session and I would go with them, but I have to be back at my school 8/1). It's in NH, called Camp Tel Noar and they have two other camps (camp Tevya and camp pembroke (all girls). Pembroke is in MA down near Plymouth, Tevya also in NH.
One of my RN friends worked at Camp Pembroke last summer and loved it! She has two daughters, and one of them went with her to Massachusetts for camp. The pictures she shared on Facebook were so astoundingly beautiful! They are Christians, but loved learning about the Jewish faith during their time there!
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I have been looking into this and I am super excited about the idea! I have been in talks with one that I hope will work out- I really like their set up! Multiple nurses and my kids get to go for a reduction in my pay. But, as someone else said, I'd do it for the experience, not the pay! My kids would never have this opportunity otherwise!

(Far... I could be out in your neck of the woods...)

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I work at a YMCA camp in Nashville, TN and we are looking for a second nurse for several weeks this summer. Pay is good and the setting is beautiful and on a lake! Message me or look at the YMCA of Middle Tennessee site!

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Hi! I've worked at a camp for the past two summers and I'm going to be the head nurse at a new camp this summer. It's fantastic. Don't get me wrong, it's a ton of work (the first summer we had the Norovirus) but it is so worth it. My pay is comparable to nurses at other camps. I was an LPN last summer and now I'm an RN and I'm making slightly more (like 400 more) but I'll also have a ton of more responsibility. I love working at summer camp. I'll be at a camp in Pennsylvania this summer (I'm from CT) and my 14 and 12 year olds will be joining me, tuition free. Message me if you're interested. Still looking for a nurse!!!

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I have done it also over the years. I like the college camps the best. Nice room. air conditioning and their numbers seem lower. Plus shorter sessions. I'm not into my whole summer being away at sleep away camp. I felt like I was working in a ER. I swear some days we saw 300 kids plus meds.. Crazy. But if you can find one that is well run, great nurses to work with and making money- it will be a good experience

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