Student Nurses in Ohio

[Nenja]

Hello! I am trying to find a job that won't totally stink as I know it'll be my last summer of "freedom" before I hit the real world.

Has anyone found a camp in Ohio (or driveable from NW Ohio) that hires student nurses? I found one in Michigan that is about 3 hours and could be doable, but they don't hire many so any other suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!

PS - If you're interested in doing a week of volunteer nursing or counselor at a camp, look up Camp Quality. Its my favorite week of the year, hands down.

[Ms.Kamille]

Hi, I don't think anyone anywhere will hire you as a student nurse. In school we are working under our teachers license. You need to be licensed to work as a "nurse" except at clinicals where of course we don't get paid. Their is no such thing as a "Student nurse license" in which to work under. I think it would be illegal for you to be hired and perform nursing duties with out licensure. I know some hospitals will let students shadow but you don't get paid. Maybe I read your post wrong though and your just looking for another position at camp to work. If thats the case ignore me! LOL

[BonnieSc]

Actually, lots of camps hire student nurses. It's quite common, if not necessarily ideal. Unless your state is different (but I think this is true everywhere), it's a myth that student nurses work under their teachers' licenses. They don't work under a license at all.

Obviously the OP can't work as a "nurse", but she can definitely work as a health assistant or health manager. Students generally have to decide for themselves what duties they're comfortable performing independently.

Some camps hire students that work with an RN; others just hire a student, because they're unable to find a nurse who can be away from home and is willing to work for the small salary. Many camps are stuck without nurses at all and are lucky to have an EMT or advanced first-aider.

If you don't want to work on your own, I think Concordia Language Villages in Minnesota hires several student nurses every year; that would be a great experience, because it's Camp Nurse Central (Linda Erceg, who has worked there many years, literally wrote the book on it). If you're willing to work on your own, you might look into Ohio Girl Scout camps, which may hire student nurses. One with a good reputation is Camp Butterworth, though I don't know whether they need health staff or not.

Good luck! Working in the camp health center is really an awesome learning experience for the student nurse.

[Ms.Kamille]

From what I gathered from class is that we as students can not practice nursing in any form as a student outside of the school setting. It must be diff here in CO. Now being an assistant is different from actually practicing nursing which is what I thought was happening. Also, my teacher is the one who told us we were working under her license. Maybe she meant it theoretically! LOL Maybe it is a myth.

[BonnieSc]

Yes, a lot of teachers and nurses do believe the myth about students working under their license--it's widespread--but it's discussed in different places on this forum.

It's true that student nurses can't "practice nursing". Student nurses who work in camp health centers aren't working as nurses, but as unlicensed personnel. Technically, they are doing most of the same day-to-day tasks as a camp nurse would be (a large part of the job is distributing daily meds, for instance), but they do not (or should not, anyway) call themselves nurses, and their assessments aren't true nursing assessments. A good camp that is in compliance with the American Camp Association will be in contact with a doctor who has written healthcare protocols for the healthcare manager to follow.

It is a sticky issue and one that makes some nurses uncomfortable, but it's similar to the work done by other unlicensed people like medical assistants and such. And it's simply the reality for many camps.

[cobaltgirl]

There is a diabetes camp in Newbury Ohio that is hiring student nurses - they have a post on the ACA website.

[Neveranurseagain, RN]

I agree Wendy--camp medical personnel working is similar to working as an unlicensed medical assistant. I worked at a camp (WILL NEVER WORK THERE AGAIN!) whose "camp nurse" was a 17 yo girl who took a CNA class!!!!!

Unless the state you are in requires an RN, anyone can work work in the infirmary and do medical care and meds. Some states require you to be first aid/CPR certified and that's it. Some camps use "camp moms" as their camp nurse--Ya! I know! SCAREY! But find out what your state regs require for camp nurse. Most times it the camps policy as to the level of medical training you need.

But camps can be a great training experience if you work with the right nurses. And fun, too! I enjoy working with student nurses!

[Niamah]

The Global Youth Village hires student nurses. And still has an opening. We operate with a team of volunteer RNs who live in the local area who provide the coverage needed to supervise student nurses, who do most of the day to day first aid and tend to the majority of needs that arise. Lots of teens from all over the world, so its an interesting place to work and hone one's cross cultural communication skills! (in south-central Virgina though - not Ohio! Can drive here in a day.)