Most of you are aware that I spent two weeks in July nursing at summer camp. This was something I'd been looking forward to since January, and I wasn't disappointed! Though I often found myself quite busy (and would occasionally cloister myself in my little room for a nap), I couldn't believe I'd be getting a paycheck after two weeks of sunshine, fresh air, and lukewarm lakes. I highly reccomend it to any nurse seeking a little professional inspiration...
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| The health centre. My new home! The room on the left is where we'd treat lice and any other more sensitive issues (like whole body rashes). My room was at the end of the hall on the right. Ours (mine and the student RN's - Andrea) was one of the only cabins on site with electriciy, running water and a flush toilet and shower! |
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| view from my little window. Quite homey. |
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| Two canoes on their way out of camp for a wilderness trip. Kids always came back dirty and covered in inset bites, but very, very happy! |
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| The lunch line-up. Thank goodness for Nurse priviledges. I threw up my elbows and made the kids eat after me. (Moreso because there'd be a lineup of kids waiting to be seen right after lunch) |
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| "No failing at Sailing!" I had a great time out on the water in the boats. |
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| One afternoon, a big storm blew some trees down and took out our power. No power for 48hrs! Thank goodness for a nurse's over-preparedness. I got lots of use out of my headlamp, doing dressings in the dark... This particular tree crashed into the small vegetable patch. |
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| The early morning view. I loved this time of day. |
I would definitely consider camp nursing again if the opportunity arose. Most often when I mentioned I was going to camp to other nurses, they'd say "What kind of camp? Diabetes? special needs?" Nope - just conventional, healthy girl camp. I really was looking forward to working in an area where it might not seem like work - where I might get re-inspired by a profession that's usually pretty heavy. I got all that I wanted to out of this experience (except that I never did get the girls at Woodcraft to teach me how to build a fire in under 5 mins), and though I can definitely say that I was ready to come home at the end of two weeks, I can easily say that I hope I can come back.
But next time, I'll bring a book about diagnosing weird, unexplinable rashes and ear infections...
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| Why wouldn't you go out for a 6:45 am swim, with a view like this!? |
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