LPN's at summer camp

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I have had six months of experience working as an LPN in a long-term care setting in the areas of psych and acute-care/ rehab. I also have a year and a half left to finish up my BSN. I don't have any pedi experience, but I applied for an LPN position (2 month seasonal job) working at a summer camp with children (ages 7--12). I have an interview coming up and and I was wondering if some LPN's can share their experiences working at a summer camp like: what did you enjoy most about working in an environment out in the boonies? How do you return your regular job when the camp job only lasts for a seaon? I would love to hear any feedback! :wink2:

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Specializes in Mother-Baby, Rehab, Hospice, Memory Care.

I have no personal experience myself. I just wanted to comment that it sounds like a really fun opportunity! When I was a kid my older sister and I would go to camp for a couple weeks in the summer and my mom an RN, would come with us and work as one of the camp nurses while we were there. I was pretty young so it was nice have my mom around when I needed to see her. At our camp all the adults had to have "camp names". My mom was "All Better"... Good memories... Good luck with the interview! Maybe you can agree to a hiatus with your current employer and return when you get back?

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If you don't mind an RN experience...I've worked in two summer camps, one as a nurse and one as the head nurse...a couple of "pearls" I can pass on (to be so bold)

1) After removing the parental filter, kids will attempt to seek medical attention for just about anything. Sometimes a firm hand is needed to prevent the frequent flyers from coming in every day.

2) Just because the kids are at camp doesn't mean they're on a medication vacation. Make sure they take their ritalin etc...it makes things so much smoother.

3) "Johnny fell and his leg is like...all off and stuff" doesn't necessarily mean you're going to walk into a blood bath. Kids exaggerate.

4) Parents like to be kept informed. Anytime I sent a kid for xrays, stitches or if they got a bonk on the head I would call the parents. I'd ALWAYS have the child there so when they asked if he was alright I could say, "yup, hold on a second I'll pass you over."

5) Self injury was grounds to go home (at least in my books). That included boxer's fractures from punching walls.

6) Some kids are super super tough, others are....less tough. You get to know who is who.

7) Psych nursing is your friend. Kids get home sick quickly, often the most important question when dealing with a stomach ache is "do you want to be here?"

8) Have a great time. My summers at camp were probably the best ones I've had. Lots of laughs, lots of good times. Enjoy!

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Just read a review of this book...it looked good, thought it might interest you Selene...

http://www.amazon.com/Camp-Nurse-My-Adventures-Summer/dp/0771079842/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1239249083&sr=8-3

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