Camp Nurses: Tips for Getting a Nursing Job at a Summer Camp

Enjoy a summer camp nursing experience

As a registered nurse, you may need to have full time employment for the summer, but you probably want to get away from home, too. Most nurses do. Have you ever considered working at a summer camp, as a registered nurse?

Here are some summer camp job tips:

If you are already licensed as a registered nurse, certified in CPR and First Aid, as well as a person who enjoys being with children, teens or others of various ages who attend summer camps, then this kind of a job might be just perfect for you.

You should be a person who loves to be outdoors, during the summer months. It is even better if you have been trained in specialty areas, like pediatrics.

If you are a registered nurse, who has just graduated from a nursing program or are forever young at heart and full of energy, you may enjoy a summer camp nursing experience, so start making inquiries about jobs that are available, in your area.

While there are many camps for normal children, there are a growing number of specialized summer camps. Camping is not something that just normal children do for several weeks out of the year. That is only one 

option, but look at other options, as well. Start doing online research.

For example, there are weight loss-weight management camps starting up everywhere, because of the growing numbers of children and teens with weight problems. There are many kinds of summer camps for children and teens with diabetes, as the incidence of diabetes is on the rise. There are highly specialized camps for children or teens with various kinds of cancer. Numerous camps are being run by groups and organizations for disabled or handicapped, children and adults.

Do you have an academic background that includes previous experience in counseling, education, health and fitness, psychiatry or social work? You are just the kind of nurse needed at these kinds of summer camps.

Specialized camps provide training for registered nurses, in areas like weight control and diabetes. There may be courses for those interested in working with handicapped or disabled children, teens and adults. This may include training about lifts or transfers, for campers confined to wheelchairs. Everyone loves swimming and hydro therapy is beneficial for the disabled or handicapped. You might learn how to teach water safety, at the same time.

Your primary responsibilities at camp will include assessing the health needs of both campers and staff members, on a regular basis. You will keep medical records for everyone at the camp, as well as following the medical directives from their physicians. You will also monitor the health status of some campers on a day-to-day basis, particularly those who have medical problems. You will assume the responsibility for camper's medications, injections, treatments and various nursing procedures, like dressings and skin care. 

You may have to accompany campers to hospital emergency rooms, with respect to injuries or others who have to visit their physicians.

Each camp has its own specific policies, procedures and protocol, as well as daily directives or guidelines that must be adhered to, with respect to the camp, its staff and the campers. This information has to be updated on a regular basis. As a camp nurse, you may be involved with this, in conjunction with the owners of the camp and other staff members, including physicians, other health care professionals and non-professionals.

The monitoring of specific health and safety issues will be part of your responsibility and you may be asked to train staff members and campers.

Counseling is an important part of the role of a camp nurse, as there are problems like fear, loneliness, homesickness and depression at summer camps. Other concerns might include those who are coping with handicaps, illness or injury.

As a registered nurse, you may be asked to teach dietary management programs and do daily counseling and weigh-ins, at a weight loss-weight management camp. In a camp for children with cancer, there may be medications or other treatments that must be administered by the camp nurse. Teaching and training for individual campers and their families may be necessary. This may include medical problems like how to live with diabetes, diet and weight management, exercise or physiotherapy.

Active participation in activities with the campers, will be part of your daily schedule. You may be asked to supervise campers at certain times, including when they are dining, swimming, boating or attending campfires. At the same time, you will be able to assess the campers.

You may be invited to organize or set up specific day or evening programs for the campers, like wiener roasts, races or talent nights. At times, you will work directly with parents, with respect to education or training for the special needs of campers. As the camp nurse, you will become the professional, registered nurse advocate of the campers.

You may need to treat campers with infections, like colds or the flu, mumps or measles, as well as those with ear or throat infections. Sunburn and insect bites of various kinds, may have to be dealt with, as well.

While camping is a seasonal job, it can be highly rewarding experience for you and offer a pleasant change of environment for you. As a camp nurse, you will come to know campers personally and see how they function, in a different environment.

Considering the possibility? Why not learn how to swim or canoe if you don't know how? Otherwise, let your employment as a camp nurse for the summer, become a professional, nursing experience for you. You can add it to your next resume. You will be glad you did and you will be invited back to summer camp, next year.