The Fresh Air Fund Looking for Nurses for Summer Sleepaway Camps in New York State

The following article is from The Fresh Air Fund.

The Fresh Air Fund is hiring summer camp nurses for an experience of a lifetime at The Fund’s sleepaway camps in Fishkill, New York and in Harriman State Park, New York. If you (or your friends) are licensed as a Registered Nurse or a Licensed Practical Nurse in New York State, we are looking for you! In addition, a graduate of a Nursing Program who plans to take the New York State Board of Nursing Exam by September 1st may also qualify.

Since its founding in 1877, The Fresh Air Fund, a not-for-profit youth development organization, has provided summer experiences to more than 1.8 million New York City children. Fund camps provide free outdoor recreational and educational activities to children from New York City’s underserved communities.

The Fresh Air Fund camps on Sharpe Reservation in Fishkill, N.Y. are located on more than 2,000 acres of spectacular wilderness property with lakes and trails in Dutchess County.

The Fund’s Camp Junior in Harriman State Park, N.Y. in Orange County provides New York City children with opportunities to be engaged in outdoor adventures, broaden their horizons and gain skills and self-confidence. Camp Junior is named in memory of Lesandro “Junior” Guzman-Feliz, a victim of gang violence.

“My journey with The Fresh Air Fund began 20 plus years ago. It was one of the best decisions I ever made. I packed my car, traveled 720 miles, and started a career that taught me about different cultures and lifestyles and gave me an opportunity to work with amazing people,” said Susie Powers, The Fund’s Health and Safety Director and Senior Camp Nurse.

“I consider it a privilege and an honor to do the work I do. The days are long, the work is hard but it is all worthwhile to see the smiles on the children’s faces and feel the appreciation of their families,” she continued. “Everything is better at camp. The stars are brighter. The trees are taller. The grass is softer, and the air is cleaner. No job is more fulfilling than making a positive, fun, safe, experience for children.”

Nurses are responsible for all health-related care of campers and staff. Duties include: medication distribution; health education teaching and maintenance; emergency care; referrals to camp doctor; nursing care of campers and staff requiring short-term bed rest; communication of pertinent medical information to The Fund office and parents; and maintaining medical records and logs. Camp Nursing Staff work in camp health centers and reside in private rooms.

After so much time spent indoors during the pandemic, this could be the summer to challenge yourself to step outside your comfort zone and take a new look at the direction of your career in the nursing profession. We are looking for qualified applicants including RNs, LPNs, retired nurses, school nurses and recent nursing school graduates who are ready for the challenge.

If you would like to discuss this job opportunity, please contact Susie Powers, The Fund’s Health and Safety Director and Senior Camp Nurse, at spowers@freshair.org. If you would like to submit a Nursing Staff Application, please find details at: https://freshairfund.workbrightats.com/jobs/