Camp Nursing (It's a mess)

[alsmedic]

Hello Group,

I'm a first time summer camp nurse and at this time have been asked to set up everything. The Health center is a disaster, no policy or procedures manual incomplete physicals pre camp.

Is this normal?

Secondly, I signed a contract months ago not realizing how much of a task this would be. I'm getting ready to write my policy and procedure's, get standing orders from physians. Set up complete list of OTC meds and supplies for camp.

Is it wrong to ask for a negotiation of contract? The pay is 4000 for the summer. I have no kids and my wife who is also a nurse is working for the camp for similar pay.

I dont know what my expectation is or was but I didn't realize that we would be starting from scratch. I have no budget for supplies realy don't know all the things we probably need but my research is getting me in the right direction.

Any tip's, pointers, advice or words of wisdom would be appreciated. I don't want to pack up and head home and leave the camp without a nurse but I will not be undervalued, and if this is normal maybe I just need some one to tell me to suck it up. thanks

Thanks

[TheSquire, DNP, APRN, NP]

I'm a health officer at a BSA camp with a well-established health and safety program, so I'm not in your same boat. However, from reading around this forum and elsewhere, my first suggestion is to check out the ACA's publications and guidelines, which are linked to in one of the sticky posts at the top of this forum. After you go through those and figure out what supplies, policies, and procedures you need, go to your camp director with a list of things you Need in order to open camp, a list of things that aren't absolutely necessary but very good to have around, and a list of things you'd merely like to have. In my experience, camp directors respond well to this type of prioritization and will work with you to get what you need; however, your mileage may vary.