I have three sons who are all camp appropriate ages. I found a great (and very expensive) camp not far away who wanted nurses for as little as a one week committment. In our initial e-mail exchange, they told me that I could bring two kids for free and that would mean forfeiting pay. I thought this was a pretty good deal as the camp fees are about $1400 a week. I figured I would pay for the third and it was still a good deal.
I made a tentative agreement over the phone with them for a week in August pending my references/license checking out. Well, they called me today and told me that they are now only willing to let me bring one child for free with a 10% discount for the other two! I could send two of them to camp right now with a 10% early bird discount without ever working there--not a good deal at all. It also makes me wonder a bit about how any other promises they make will turn out.
What do you experienced camp nurses think of this? I was thinking of telling them I want at least 35% off on the other two kids or they can try to find someone else for their job!
I interviewed for a day camp position, where my 4 year old's tuition would be $4700. They were offering me $2000 on top of that. Not for nothing, but I couldn't exactly live on $250 a week, working a 40hr week, no less. They tried to tell me how much I'd be saving with her tuition. But I wouldn't send her to such a costly camp in the first place, not at 4 yrs old. I work per-diem, so this would be all on my time, and would not be able to work elsewhere during these 8 weeks (except weekends, and after 5 days at camp, I doubt I'd want to do anything, much less work 12hr in the hospital). Maybe if I had more than 1 kid, or they were older, it would be worth it. They were not really even negotiable about part time. I'm not crazy for turning this down, right???
No, you are certainly not crazy for turning it down. Nurses are needed by these camps and there is no reason why a nurse should not get paid a decent wage. At least that is how I feel it.
Good luck .... check out all the camp jobs out there, I am sure you will find one that meets your needs and most of all have fun!
RNPATL, DNP, RN
1,146 Posts
No, you are certainly not crazy for turning it down. Nurses are needed by these camps and there is no reason why a nurse should not get paid a decent wage. At least that is how I feel it.
Good luck .... check out all the camp jobs out there, I am sure you will find one that meets your needs and most of all have fun!