A Day in the life of a Nurse at Over The Wall

The Day before the campers arrive, we sit down and look through the forms of the campers who will be visiting our med shed. We share out the workload and organise who will dispense which group of meds, Red’s or Blue’s or Green’s, it is normally the group you are in. We prioritise which of the campers the doctor must see.

Make any final decoration to the med shed and try to get organised for the campers coming.

Ensure we all have two way radios and are working. The campers arrive from 1pm onwards and the med shed becomes very busy, we try and organise it so each nurse tries to see the child in their group and builds up a picture of their needs etc. Meds are checked in and drugs charts are prepared, we up date care plans, meds regime etc, it is all very relaxed despite being busy. We then head off for tea (evening meal) and sit with our own group getting to know them.

After the campers head for bed, we spend time with the individual groups updating any info they require and give them a list of when their campers need to visit the med shed and giving reassurance.

Its back to the med shed to catch up with the others and get ready for tomorrow morning. Each night a nurse is on call and sleeps in the med shed.

A typical day in the med shed

6.30am Alarm sounds and head for the shower.

7.30am At Med shed have a coffee, allowing nurse on call to head for shower or back to bed.

7.45am Prepare meds and get shed ready for the day, Doctor will get the juice ready and wash up etc (they are fab at that!)

8.00am Campers may need help with washing and getting ready for the day, campers begin to arrive for meds and sometimes they need reminding on the radio.

8.45am Beds may need changing and washing on before we all meet on the village green for singsong and head down to breakfast with our teams.

9.30amish Sing Song then we head back to the med shed and at 10.00am we meet with all med team and operations to discuss any issues and support each other, then we head off to our teams for activities. Organise breaks for all teams members; sort out afternoon cover for down at the river etc.

11.30am Med shed for lunchtime meds, then meet on the village green for singsong then head for lunch.

1.00pm Team Leaders meeting and member from med shed attends, passing any info onto all med team.

4.30pm Evening meds to get organised and head over to watch the drama production before Tea.

6.30pm Group time.

7.30pm Evening meds for juniors begin.

8.30pm Evening meds for intermediates and seniors begin.

9.30pm Pass on any info to on call nurse, organise day for tomorrow, Roses and thorns with group. Meet up with Tony and Suzie with any issues.

10.00pm On call for nurse begins.

12.00pm lights oot!!

Glossary:  

Med Shed - Two rooms in each house used for keeping medicines etc
Med Team - Nurses and doctors supporting the campers’ medical needs
Meds Medicines - from inhalers and overnight feeds to chemo
Team Mate - Adult volunteers who are in teams with the campers