New Camp Nurse HELP Please!!

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

Hello Everyone! I was just hired as a camp nurse for a christian summer day camp in NJ. I am very new to this and I'm not sure what to expect. What are some of the most common things that happen at camp in terms of sicknesses and ailments. Even though I've learned everything I possible could in school and I graduated with honors I'm just kind of afraid that I'm not going to know what to do when the time comes. Any suggestions/comments will be appreciated.

Also, what should I wear? I'm used to working in the DR's office where we have to wear scrubs but I'm not sure if that's the same for camp. On the camp's website it says that counselors could wear shorts that are finger tip length but it says nothing about the camp nurse.

Since this camp hires alot of international staff they allow the staff to stay there for the whole summer which means I'll be away from my family the whole entire summer. What should I bring with me? I heard from someone that you don't need to bring your stethoscope with you because it's not needed as a camp nurse but I'm kind of torn between two straights on what to bring with me. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks so much!!

Sincerely,

A new and lost camp nurse

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Welcome to camp nursing. Of course bring your stethoscope, how else could you hear if a kid is wheezing from asthma. Bring anything that you need to be comfortable at home. Toiletries, snacks, books to read etc. I 'always' bring bug spray when I first arrive. Like some kind of Raid because the cabins are closed for the winter and there may be spiders or other bugs lingering. I spray the whole room when I arrived then wait a few hours and clean up. My first night at camp a few years ago I saw a spider in my room and could not sleep. The kids come in with bites, ticks, twisted ankles, scratches, a few fractures or broken bones, pink eye, colds, ear aches you name it. The counselors, the same thing but add hang overs and exhaustion. Good luck

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Specializes in Pediatric Private Duty; Camp Nursing.

Are you the only nurse on staff? If not, hopefully you will be placed w experienced nurses who can show you the ropes. If that's the case, keep your ears open and mouth closed, you will learn a lot. Nursing school doesn't even begin to cover real world work, camp or any other clinical setting! If you are all alone, be sure you read up on your first aid, asthma, broken bones, heat-related illnesses, wound care, diabetes, ADHD, etc. Be sure you know who your kids are with medical issues. If you have a smart phone, load up on First Aid apps, med guides, etc. and be sure you have 911 at your fingertips!

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Specializes in Home Health (PDN), Camp Nursing.

I think the biggest thing you have going for you, if I have read your post correctly, is that your at a DAY camp. So the kids are not staying over night? If that's the case then you have a reasonable expectation to get healthy kids off the bus everyday. Your job will most likely be meds and first aid. Anyone who is to ill to participate should be turfed home. If your doing seasons than it gets much more complex. Use your camp director as a resource if your wondering about treating onsite, chances are something similar has happened in the past, and that can give you an idea what to do. Take your stethoscope, a flashlight, and a few reference guides. I likewise hope you not on your own, but if you are just be prepared for a pretty steep learning curve your first year. Also remember. It's camp not an ICU, no one is likely die from a mistake you make. They will be upset, but you would have to really work hard to "do harm". The biggest thing is meds and inhailers, label them and organize them religiously, do as much med prep ahead of time as possible, work on figuring out how many kids are on meds and PRNs BEFORE they get off the bus. Again ask your director how best to accomplish this, it's still not to late for an email blast to the parents asking for med information.

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Specializes in pediatrics.

Yep you have great suggestions. I worked as a student nurse for 3 years at a summer camp. Definitely wear the scrubs it will set you apart and put the kids at ease. Most of the RNs I worked with spend the majority of their time organizing meds and contacting parents in order to treat their child. Be prepared also if you have to escort a child to hospital, not sure if that is in your job description.

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

Sadly, I am the only nurse on staff :( I've been reading up on those diseases and ailments. Thanks for the tip I'm definitely going to load up some first aid apps on my phone.

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Ditto to what everyone else has said. I wore my own "street" clothes like jeans and a t-shirt with a name tag. I introduced myself to the whole camp at the first meal and let them know where I worked and how to come see me. This seemed to help them be comfortable. I also explained medication systems then. I would recommend also coming up with a system for inhaler and epi pen checks if your campers will carry them. I checked them just before each meal to ensure they weren't left behind at an activity or in a cabin. The most helpful app I had at camp is my net diary pro ($5) for helping diabetics count carbs since our kitchen didn't do it for them. Have fun.

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Hi, I'm not qualified to give you any advice or anything, but I just wanted to drop in and say that I feel like you'll be ok. Your gonna do JUST fine :)

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Remember, you can always come here and ask help from all these wonderful nurses. I'm sure they would be very happy to help you.

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Specializes in Family Medicine, Tele/Cardiac, Camp.

Hey firstdaughter156! :)

I'm new to camp nursing too. I don't know if there's enough time right now or if your camp has already started (mine starts tomorrow! yikes!), but I got a really great book called My Adventures at Summer Camp by Tilda Shalof. A ICU nurse wrote it after spending 6 summers at 3 different summer camps. It's really great. Other than that, I'm packing professional-looking clothes (polo shirts, khaki capri pants or shorts, a couple of scrub tops), my stethoscope, my adult and pedi BP cuffs because you never know, my laptop (we have wireless and I imagine I'll be looking up conditions, meds, etc), a few reference books and my smart phone complete with the free app epocrates which has great med information.

I'll keep you in my thought if you keep me in your thoughts! :) I'm sure we'll be fine. At least that's what I'm telling myself. Goodluck!

-Snow

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I would love to see an update from you on how it is going. Personally, I would be very concerned about being the only nurse there if you are not yet experienced in ANY real life nursing and especially not experienced in pediatric nursing. Additionally, I would question the thought process of a camp director that hired a new grad to be the sole nurse at their camp, even if it is only a day camp. Asthma in the summer is a major issue, especially in the hot humid areas of the country. Allergic reactions are major issues. Home sickness is a major issue, but, if this is a day camp, that probably won't be a worry for you. Be aware of food allergies, bee sting allergies and know all your "specialties" such as those campers with diabetes, asthma, hemophilia, von willebrands, etc, by name and site.

Good luck. As a peds nurse for 32 years and a camp nurse for about 20 years, I am nervous for you!

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

Thanks so much!! It's not as bad as I thought it would be. I actually love this job! You'll do and I will keep you in my thoughts

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