New to Camp Nursing – Need Advice!

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  • #42769
    Amanda Trickey
    Participant

    Hey, y’all!

    This summer will be my 4th summer being the only RN at a local music camp. The camp takes place at a local university, but I am the only medical professional affiliated with the camp. I have created this position over the last four years (there previously was no nurse on campus), so I know I’m more than likely missing something vital or to make my life easier.

    A normal day for me is this:
    7:00 – med pass in the cafeteria
    8:00-11:30 – in the camp office (we have no designated health center)
    11:30-12:00 – lunch med pass in the office (very few have lunch meds, so they come get them from me on their way to the cafeteria.)
    12:30-3:30 – in the camp office
    3:30-5:00 – resting while campers are in Master class/electives
    5:00 – dinner med pass in the cafeteria
    6:00 – resting while campers have concerts/rehearsals
    8:00 – night activities
    9:30-10:00 – bedtime med pass at the gender-specific dorms

    Any tips would be appreciated.

    #42776
    Tara Holahan
    Participant

    Hi there!
    I’m brand new, too. I know how you feel…the ‘what am I missing?” question is always popping up in my head. Looks like you have a good start.

    I highly reccommend the ACN Intro to Camp Nursing online class. I am doing it now, and almost everything you are asking for is in there. It is a nice summary of the ‘nuts and bolts’ of any camp setting, and provides resources to expand and customize to individual settings. My special worries are around med management and documentation. Very clear guidance related to professional standards and the law.

    I also found that I knew (and was doing) more of the ‘right camp nurse stuff’ than I thought. Very reassuring.

    Wish I could do music camp with you, I love being part of the development of music talent in groups…..such joy! Have a great summer!

    Tara

    #42781

    Amanda and Tara:

    Great to see your posts. We agree with what you have shared and know that doing your own independent education is super helpful. The Introduction to camp nursing course is helpful to get you started and get you off and running. We have additional courses for those areas of least experience like dermatology, orthopedics, diabetes, and others. Consider your skill set and areas in which you can grow.

    Amanda – it sounds like you don’t have much to do except med pass. I would encourage you to proactively engage in ways to promote health and wellness. This summer in particular, are you involved in all your COVID prevention strategies? Can you help monitor for good prevention behaviors and encourage campers to be diligent in these efforts (face masks as appropriate, hand washing, sanitizing, increasing ventilation, etc). Might you consider additional healthy living activities you can integrate in a music camp?

    Examples:
    Can you add a “walking break” every hour, especially if they are sitting most of the day with their instruments?
    Can you promote hydration activities?
    What are the camper eating for meals and snacks? Can you influence those in a healthy way?
    Good skin care activities? If they are blowing a horn or playing a string instrument many hours a day, their skin could use some care.

    These are just examples of thinking out loud but what I know is that good nursing is all about prevention and if you can integrate and promote prevention practices as part of the camp experience, everyone will win.

    Best to you
    Tracey Gaslin

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