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Hey Camp Nurses!
I am new to camp nursing this summer. I am hoping to get some feedback about how many RNs are at your camp and how many campers you have. I would just like a general ballpark of ratios out there.
Thanks!
I am a one RN clinic with about 110 campers and about 20 staff.
Traditionally, our camp had no licensed staff on ground full time for 200 campers and 40-70 staff members. For many years, it was a single unlicensed employee, but for the past 13 or so years there were 2-3 unlicensed full-time staff.
To meet ACA requirements during that time, a volunteer RN would come out once a day for consultation, answer questions, notify camp admin of any glaring errors. However, the volunteer may change each day, could stay as long or as short as they wanted, and weren’t technically responsible for the general operations, just consultation.
The past 2 summers, we’ve had an two RNs on staff who work portions of the week. A few days they are both there at the same time, but most days, there is one RN. They have 1-2 full-time unlicensed support persons (or 3-4 part-time ones).
For perspective: We are in TN, so there are zero rules about healthcare staffing at summer camps, unfortunately. It is a residential program for general population children, no special health focus.
Thanks for replying Amanda!
I felt a little overwhelmed, because the process for delivering nursing care this year at my camp is strenuous and disorganized. I was curious about suggesting we utilizing support staff but we have to have applicants first…
The situation you described above sounds daunting, though!
Robyn:
Thanks for your post. This is a question that has been asked for many years and the challenge is consistent. Camps are so diverse and there are many variables that need to be considered as you make a decision about how many healthcare staff. You should consider the location of the camp (how far from an ER or urgent care), the population being served (healthy children, children with special needs), health services provided onsite, and others. Making a decision about what works at your camp is just that – a decision for your camp. This means what works for one camp could be very different than what staffing needs are at a camp next door.
For sure, we strongly encourage at least one RN onsite. The RN is the only individual who has the education and skill set to provide the kind of care needed in a camp setting – assessment, delegation, documentation, screening, communicable disease management, and medication management. You need a strong and solid licensed healthcare provider to decrease your risk at camp.
Best to you
Tracey Gaslin
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