The Health Care Assistant positions are filled by 3rd year UVic Nursing Students who are completing their 370 and 470 practicum hours at camp.  Each camp has four student positions.

Who is this placement for?

This is a unique opportunity for students who are interested in community nursing, paediatrics, or working with special populations. 

What is the schedule of the summer?

The practicum begins June 9, 2010 at Camp Winfield.  The staff team from all three BC Easter Seals Camps meet in Winfield for the first stages of orientation.  The first couple days of orientation are an opportunity for the health care teams to work together to learn the policies and procedures of our program, to discuss and plan training sessions for all staff, and to spend time building the team that will be looking after health and safety at camp all summer long!

The second phase of orientation is All Staff Orientation (ASO).  During ASO, the whole staff team from all three camps join together at Camp Winfield for 5 days of orientation.  This training encompasses everything from team building and empathy activities to first aid and lifts and transfers.  This incredible experience for all involved.

Following ASO, all the staff go back to their home camps for a few days of emergency procedure training.  During this time the health care teams will spend time setting up their "nursing nest" and  familiarizing themselves with the specific site.  The entire staff will train in emergency procedures.

Following orientation we start with our full week camp sessions.  Students work on a rotational basis.  Generally, the schedule includes working for 2 or 3 camping sessions in a row, and then having one session off. 

During training and throughout the practicum, students are expected to live on site.  During days or weeks off, are welcome to stay on site, but it is not expected. 

Orientation Dates

June 9-12 Health Care Team Training in Winfield

June 15-19 All Staff Training in Winfield

June 23-29 All Staff Training at home camp (includes new camper weekend)

Camp Session Dates available here.

Camp Shawnigan and Winfield end Aug 20th, 2010.  Camp Squamish has an additional session and therefore ends on Aug 30th.  Students are finished their practicum as of Aug 20th, and may be hired on a contract basis for the final session.

What role does a student play at camp?

There are two different roles that the students rotate through at camp. 

There is a "prep" role, which includes getting the health care team ready for the next camping session by reviewing camper files.  The prep person also works on independent initiatives - perhaps developing new policies or doing some research on areas that interest them. 

The other role is filled by two students in the "clinical" position.  These students fill the Health Care Assistant position that includes working with the camp RN to store and distribute medications, ensure the health and safety of all campers, staff and volunteers, and responding to all medical situations.  Students in the clinical role will need to be onsite and on call for the entire 6 or 7 day session.

Each student will do a minimum of 1 prep session and 2 clinical sessions.  The exact schedule will be determined by the instructor.

What is the application process like?

Students will fill out an online application that becomes available in the middle of January.  The application will be followed by an interview by the camp coordinators.  Camp Coordinators will work with the UVic School of Nursing to determine suitability of the students for the placement. 

Students will be asked to indicate their preference for which location they would like to do their placement at.  While those at Easter Seals and the School of Nursing will do their best to accommodate all site requests it is expected that students applying to the Easter Seals Placement will be prepared to travel to any of the sites listed above.

What kind of learning can I expect?

Students participating in the Easter Seals Practicum can expect to learn and grow in many ways.  Past participants have found that the experience is life changing and has opened up many interesting opportunities and ideas about their views on nursing.  The more energy and enthusiasm the student brings to the learning, the more successful they shall be.

Past students have generously allowed us to share some of their reflective practicum narratives with future students to help demonstrate some of the kinds of learning students might expect.

RPN 1    RPN 2

Where can I get more information about camp?

Right here on the website!  Check out the FAQ's for staff and the program information.