Is camp nursing for me?

BonnieSc · Sep 23, 2015

Pay is extremely low compared to any regular kind of nursing, though generally much higher than the rest of the camp staff. Think $10/hour. Room and board included, though, not to mention the chance to be in that gorgeous setting for an extended time--something people pay a lot for.

Time period is probably an average of 2 to 2.5 months.

Alex Egan, LPN, EMT-B · Sep 24, 2015

If your looking for a little adventure. maybe... It's hard finding a camp that is a good environment for new grads. A lot of camps are not great learning environments, you don't want to be put in a position where your not supported and have to make decisions. Also camp involves a lot of clinical judgement, which as a new grad you have very little. You want a place that will put you on shift with retuning expearenced staff, and have had good experience with new grads in the past.

BonnieSc · Sep 25, 2015

I would actually prefer a camp-experienced new grad to an experienced nurse with no camp experience (probably some pediatric home health or school nursing would be sufficient, especially if the nurse is outdoors-oriented). We usually have trouble with those nurses who have no concept of their role in camp, and the nurses feel uncomfortable with what they're asked to do (no, giving a camper tylenol for a headache is not prescribing; no, you don't need to listen to the lungs of every camper on opening day). I haven't worked at a camp that had more than one nurse on staff at a time, by the way. The major exception, of course, would be a true special-needs camp where most of the campers aren't totally healthy kids. Then a stronger level of knowledge and assessment skills is required.

At any camp you get special needs kids of various kinds and sometimes I cringe to think about the powerful medications I gave at camp as a new grad without understanding them, but actually, all I had to do was continue their home regimens. Parents were often helpful regarding those kids. If someone came with a diagnosis I wasn't familiar with, I tried to get a basic understanding from reference books.

Alex Egan, LPN, EMT-B · Sep 25, 2015

I would actually prefer a camp-experienced new grad to an experienced nurse with no camp experience (probably some pediatric home health or school nursing would be sufficient, especially if the nurse is outdoors-oriented). We usually have trouble with those nurses who have no concept of their role in camp, and the nurses feel uncomfortable with what they're asked to do (no, giving a camper tylenol for a headache is not prescribing; no, you don't need to listen to the lungs of every camper on opening day). I haven't worked at a camp that had more than one nurse on staff at a time, by the way. The major exception, of course, would be a true special-needs camp where most of the campers aren't totally healthy kids. Then a stronger level of knowledge and assessment skills is required.
At any camp you get special needs kids of various kinds and sometimes I cringe to think about the powerful medications I gave at camp as a new grad without understanding them, but actually, all I had to do was continue their home regimens. Parents were often helpful regarding those kids. If someone came with a diagnosis I wasn't familiar with, I tried to get a basic understanding from reference books.

Interestingly I have never worked for a camp that only had one nurse at a time. Both camps I have worked for are about 500 typical kids. They usually staff 3-4 nurses a shift in a team model. Could you PM me? I would love to hear more details about your camp and your location.

I agree though, someone with a camp background is ideal. It drive me crazy when we have a nurse who only sees zebras. "Yea they could have meningitis, or they slept in a tent for a week and have a sore neck. Let's give them some Tylenol and icey hot one see how they feel in 30 minutes, rather than Rush them to the hospital demanding a spinal tap."

KayStanley · Sep 25, 2015

How much do they make? Is it for only rns or lpns also?

Alex Egan, LPN, EMT-B · Sep 26, 2015

Most camps advertise for RNs, but some take LPNs. Generally the director is only vaguely aware of the difference between RN and LPN so some education on their part may be needed. Some states nurse practic act makes LPNs hard to work with,so there are a lot of factors that go into can an LPN occupy the role. However my first camp has a head nurse who was very familiar with RN vs LPN, and really never treated me different despite most years me being the only LPN on staff. Also pa has a non restrictive practice act for LPNs so I'm not limited at all in the camp setting.

Mia's for money they do 10 week contracts and pay to start is a little over $500 a week. I think I did 580 my first year. I make significantly more now, after my fifth year.

CampNurse1 · Dec 12, 2015

I always paid my LPNs and RNs the same, since they did the same work. The pay was so low, it did not make much difference. I paid $600/week for a five day session for what amounted to an 8 - 10 hour day.

After a few years, I decided the best assessment skill was establishing normal for each camper. A PEG tube, O2, and 20 meds are normal for some campers. Call the parents and ask if not sure what is normal. Check with the camp director first. Mama wants him to go to ER? Easy-peasy, call the truck. Mama says, "Oh, he carries on like that all the time." That gives you something to work with. This also keeps parents from being surprised (and angry) when they pick little Junior up at the end of session.

Discuss the above at your interview. If you get bad vibes, there are plenty of other camps that will love to have you. Good luck!

hope4673 · Dec 18, 2015

Find a camp that states they will hire nursing students. That means you will have an RN who is your supervisor and you will not be alone to make decisions.

I work at a summer camp that lasts for 2 months (kids are there for 1 week at a time) average 120 for the younger kids and average 150 for the teens. We hired 4 nursing students, me as an RN, and I had an RN supervisor (but I was the RN in control of the younger kids camp). It was a great set up and great learning environment with little experience.

The pay is very small overall compared to a full time nursing job, I was offered $1900 for the summer. However I would argue that because you live there for free and you get free food, it's worth it. Now if your not ready to be on call 24/7 or want to work all day I do not suggest camp. Some days I was about to shower or eat at the dining hall and I got called for something. But I will take that over a 12 hour hospital shift any day.

It's fun because you can spend time with the kids if the health center has some free time. Everyday I left the health center with my radio and first aid kit and joined in on activities. It's great for your first aid knowledge. Everything from simple scrapes to poison ivy to concussions and snake bites. You'll have a wide variety of different incidents that can occur. I even sent a counselor home with pneumonia. My only con would be that you may have to deal with a traumatic event. There have been nasty storms and one in particular at my camp took the life of a camper and seriously injured a few. However it is rare so don't be too worried.

Every week was always an adventure. If you're up for it look around and apply and enjoy the experience. I'm 24 and decided to do something fun and different for a change from acute care. I ended up finding a full time RN position during the school year at an outdoor education program :)

BonnieSc · Dec 29, 2015

That they hire nursing students definitely does not mean there's an RN supervisor. You have to ask.