First week of School

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I know some people started a few weeks ago, but for many of us, this past week was the first week. So - how did it go?

I am a new grad, worked at summer camp and just started my first RN school nurse job. So far, so good. I have a lot of paperwork to organize so that has been my focus between lice checks, minor boo boos and organizing my office. My school is small and very supportive and nice, so that has been a huge blessing. I am looking forward to the new week.

Oh and the scrubs have worked out perfectly -I have pockets for keys and bandaids for when I am not in my office.

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Just out of curiosity... what is considered a small school? :)

I'm interviewing on Monday for a school nurse job at an elementary school (2 openings at different schools and 3 applicants).. so there's a good chance I could get it.. crossing fingers :p

Oh, and I've heard of Summer Camps. How do you get a job at one, what kind of job is it, and where are they usually located? Hours?

Thanks!!

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Specializes in Public Health, School, Camp.

Sl1011 - Summer Camps are located throughout the US. I have worked at a summer camp the past three summers (a different one each year). Often if you do a Google search you can find summer camp positions. Typically you work 24 hours a day (or are on call 24 hours a day) sometimes there will be other nurses so you can split the nights on call. Each camp is different in how they operate. I have been anything from the sole medical provider at camp to on of three nurses in a care team that has included a camp physician. Some camps look for a nurse to be there all summer, others will have nurses come for a session or two. Feel free to let me know if you have any other questions about camp nursing. Good Luck with the interview!

asp40 - Glad you had a good first week! I am hoping to hear back from the school I interviewed with last week early this week! Fingers crossed.

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Oh... so it looks like something where you have to leave and stay at the camp for 4-8 weeks. Hmmm, probably couldn't do that since I have a one year old... I have a 7 year old who would love that, but my husband might not be too happy if we were gone for like a month. Is that how it generally works, or do you only work your shift and can go home? I looked up some websites and the two I found had split shifts and other nurses.

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Specializes in Public Health, School, Camp.

Typically you are there for the whole session if it is done by session (i.e. sleep at camp). Depending on the camp these can be anywhere from 1 week to 4 weeks (possibly longer). Some camps are ok with having family there also, some are not. It really depends on the camp. "Shifts" at camp are, in my experience, more or less non-existent with the exception of who is on call overnight. If there are multiple nurses they are usually all on during the day having sporadic breaks (an hour here and there) throughout the day.

There is also a "camp nursing" thread under specialties that you may want to check out. I'm not sure what sort of information they have there as I have not really looked into it.

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