Camp Nursing

Overview

Camp Nursing sounds like an exciting and carefree way to spend the Summer! Camp nurses are responsible for the healthcare of children and teens while at camp, sometimes for days, weeks, or even months. Many children with chronic illnesses attend camps, sometimes specialized camps but often they are mainstreamed into regular camping sessions.

Camp nurses interact on a daily basis with many non-healthcare providers. It is important to be able to easily get along with various members of the camp team.

The campers are the customer, too, so keeping things fun and exciting for them is also something to consider.

Benefits

Often, salary is only part of the compensation package. One of the perks can be the ability to receive free tuition for the nurse's child to attend camp. There is also flexibility, travel, and enjoyment of the outdoors.

Qualities

Flexibility

This is probably one of the top-rated qualities. Camp nurses must be flexible to handle a variety of campers, staff members, and parents.

Ability to Multi-task

Camp nurses are responsible for many campers who can become potential patients at a moment's notice. Many times, transferring ill and/or injured campers may take an extended amount of time in that the campsite may not be located near a health-care facility (hospital).

Experienced

Again, this is another important quality. Often Camp nurses are assessing and making decisions very quickly. Acute care experience with pediatric or adolescent patients can be invaluable. Psychiatric/Mental Health experience can be useful, too, as the Camp Nurse will be dealing with new campers who might be lonely or anxious.

Roles / Duties

• Administrative duties:
  • complete insurance forms
  • pre-camp health assessments
  • check medical supplies, re-order, check expiration dates
  • disaster planning
• Communicable disease reporting as often occurs when in communal living situations, disease outbreaks can occur
• Assume risk management:
  • liability concerns when caring for children with absent parents
  • it is important to have individual liability insurance
• Sole healthcare provider on-site:
  • What is the back-up plan?
  • If more than one provider, how is on-call handled?
• Sick call responsibilities:
  • Are protocols in place?
  • Is off-site healthcare readily available?
• Medication administration:
  • Are orders only received from licensed providers?
  • Are parents writing out instructions?
• Communication with parents:
  • Who makes the decision to call parents?
  • Does it have to go through the camp administrator?
• Health appraisals:
  • Who determines if an activity is safe for an individual camper?
  • If a camper is involved in high adventure activities, are specific permissions obtained?
• CPR certified
• Wilderness/remote first aid training
• First Aid training

Education

• Graduate from an accredited Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse (LPN/LVN) or Registered Nurse (RN) nursing program
  • LPN/LVN: certificate, diploma, degree
  • RN: diploma, ADN, BSN, or higher degree
• Successfully pass the NCLEX-PN or NCLEX-RN
• Current, unencumbered LPN/LVN or RN license in U.S. state of practice

Professional Organizations

The American Camp Association (ACA) is, "a community of camp professionals who, for over 100 years, have joined together to share our knowledge and experience and to ensure the quality of camp programs".

The Association of Camp Nursing (ACN) is, "a professional nursing organization working towards healthier camp communities by supporting the practice of camp nursing".

Certifications

American Red Cross

1 - American Red Cross: Wilderness and Remote First Aid Course

This is very important for nurses who will be at a camp in remote areas. The course, "aligns with OSHA’s Best Practices for Workplace First Aid Training Programs".

2 - American Red Cross: Lifeguard Training

It is also important to seek education in specialized water or watercraft activities. Many nurses have training as LifeGuards. This is very important for nurses who will be at a camp where there are water activities.

3 - American Red Cross: CPR Training

In-person or blended learning CPR training.

American Heart Association (AHA)

American Heart Association (AHA): CPR and First Aid

These courses provide the cognitive information needed for first aid, CPR, and AED training.

Job Outlook

This is usually a seasonal job and most often during the Summer months when individuals are on break from school. That said, camp tuition can best be described as economy-driven. For most families, camp tuition is a luxury item versus a must-have. So, in times of a strong economy, it is reasonable to assume there will be more campers while in tight times, fewer families have the needed extra money.

Salary (2020)

According to ZipRecruiter, the annual salary is $74,500 and ranges between $37,500 and $53,000 depending on experience and location.