New grad camp nurse! Please helpppp!!! Lots of questions!

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Hi guys,

So im a new Grad RN. As most of you new grad RNs know, its almost impossible to get a job. as soon as employers see new grad on a resume its like thats a no! So after searching for hospital jobs, or even a job in a long term care facility (something that i never want to do) i was on craigslist and i saw a posting that said summer camp nurse new grads are encouraged to apply! so i gave it some thought and thought well, since im not going to getting a job anytime in the future, whats a better way to go and get experience at a camp. I sent out about 20 resumes and could not believe how many responses i got back! after looking into them more, and talking with the camp directors, i found a camp that thought would be a great fit for me, camp ********* in *******, its a sports camp. The camp director seems like a really great guy, and when we spoke he tried to explain what the camp was about. There is going to be 4 nurses, 2 of us are new grads and the other 2 both have experience at working at the camp before. It was all sounding good, i was so excited about actually getting a job, and i LOVE working with kids. But now I'm also at the point like what have i gotten into??!?

so basically, anyone that has experience with camp nursing your input would be amazing. Mostly about what a day in the life of camp nursing is like, also what should I review before I get up there, how can i be best prepared? What should i familiarize myself before i get up there? How long are the hours normally? at my camp im going to have one full day off where i can go home if i want.

and then theres the other things like what do I wear? Im 23 years old at an all boys camp, so I would love to just wear scrubs, but from the way he made it sound, the nurses that work there dont really wear scrubs, so whats appropriate? i mean, i no i shouldnt be walking around in booty shorts, but can i wear shorts? and if so whats a good length? Its gonna be summer so i dont want to be sweating like a pig during my shifts. and shirts? teeshirts? wifebeaters? ahhh i have so many questions! and shoes, what about those-i love flip flops and crocks, will those work?

oh and next up: sleeping conditions. this is a big one for me, i mean im not expecting a four star hotel with air conditioning, but do you think ill be able to bring a fan with me? and have electricity to charge my phone? I have my own room and bathroom/shower, but what are the bathrooms like at camps? are they like real toilets or like one step up from an outhouse?

ok and what about what should i bring? books? knitting? my biggest fear is that when i get off my shift im going to be lonely and isolated. I never went to camp as a child, and i went to community college, so i didn't have that experience. This is something totally new for me, not only as a nurse but as a person, and i'm a little scared! is it easy to make friends? what do you do on your downtime off?

Last one though, for now at least..did you like it!? Were you able to participate in the activities that go on during camp, or are the nurses more isolated in the health center? i hope not, because i really would love to be involved!

okay-i know that was a long rant, but im kinda freaking out here guys! so any input that might help me feel better would be great, THANK YOU!

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

https://allnurses.com/camp-nursing/choosing-a-camp-826577.html

Try this article to start

And check out this thread: https://allnurses.com/camp-nursing/camp-nursing-resources-446460.html

Most camps prohibit crocs & flip flops for safety reason. You'll likely need sneakers or good walking shoes. I wouldn't recommend tank tops. Check dress code policy of camp, but hiking length (usually just above knee) or Bermuda length are recommended. Read some of the threads in this forum.

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thanks for the articles they were helpful..i actually just joined ACN but am having some problems with getting it to logging in. I guess im also just looking for what kind of experiences that nurses have at camp, particularly new nurses. Or for anyone whos worked at an all boys camp with 150 staff members, and only 20 females, has anybody been in a similar situation like that. And also, living conditions. The camp director right now is a really busy guy right now, getting the camp ready, so i'm trying to get a sense from people whove done this before and what there experience is like. Like are the nurses isolated in the health center, or do you get a chance to hang out and particiapte in activities with the kids when you have time off. i literally do not no what to expect

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oh and also, because im a new nurse, do you think it would be benificial to bring my pediatric text book with me as well?

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I too took a camp nursing job as a new grad except I waited til the following summer having not been able to find a job that whole year because I was labeled a new grad. My first camp wasn't sleep away it was a day camp and it was shorts and a camp tshirt and definately sneakers. At this camp there really wasn't enough down time to do anything except help the kids. Things like bus sickness in the mornings, sand in the eyes, bee stings, and alot just needed to cool off and grab a cold drink. We had 1 sprained wrist from doing cartwheels and 1 asthma attack. So know your kids with asthma and allergies..

This summer I'm doing sleep away camp. I am bringing my peds book hoping that during down time I can read up on since I'm a school nurse. I'm not sure of things we can do when we aren't actually on, I'm hoping that I can relax read and enjoy the sun and maybe take a hike..

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Thanks guys!

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Specializes in Home Health (PDN), Camp Nursing.

Reviewing nursing texts is always a good idea. I also recommend the basics of camp nursing by Linda Ebner. The 60 second EMT, or pediatric education for the prehospital professional may also be good references if you want to brush up on you regency response and assessment skills. Email your camp director and nail down the living arrangements, it's that important you need to know that your getting into. All camps are different in living situations for the staff so you will find no substitute for actual information. Dress normally reasonable length shorts and text shirts should be fine.

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Shorts and t-shirts are fine. I do wear scrub pants and goodies in the am, its chilly in upstate NY in the am. We can wear crocs but not flip flips.

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