LocumLife - December 2008 - (Page 32)

DESTINATIONS La vita locum Memorable tales from the road Away at camp During her almost 30-year nursing career, Beth Landis, RN, NP, has sampled a wide variety of practice settings. Lisa Daggett “ was an RN for 10 years before going back to school to become a nurse practitioner. At that time, I was not sure exactly what I wanted to do, so I decided to explore my options via locum tenens opportunities. I thought that if I spent a year trying out different places and facilities, my path would become clear.” But nearly 20 years later, Ms. Landis is happy to report that she is no closer to finding an answer. Thanks to opportunities taken both independently and through Salt Lake City, Utah-based CompHealth, her career is continually filled with new and exciting experiences. “After accepting more than 50 contracts through my staffing firm, as well as several on my own, all I can say for sure is that I like everything for a while and nothing forever, so the locum tenens lifestyle suits me perfectly.” Certain nontraditional situations were a perfect fit, as well. “Some of my best memories are a few stints I did as a camp nurse. And since they were at different junctures in my career, I have really seen the position evolve. When I first took on the role of camp nurse back in 1979, I basically treated coughs and colds, soothed mosquito bites, and handed out band-aids. But when I went back to camp nursing some 20 years later, things had changed.” EVOLVING DUTIES In 2000, Ms. Landis volunteered a few weeks of her time at a children’s camp in the upper Midwest. “The campers ranged from fourth- to eighth-graders, and each child and his or her parent had to meet with me individually to discuss health concerns and medication history. I had to check in meds and go over dosing directions. The majority of 32 LocumLife DECEMBER 2008 I meds were for allergies and asthma, but there were also plenty of psych-related drugs, for things such as ADHD, depression, and other behavioral issues. Thinking back, most of those meds had not even been invented when I was a camp nurse earlier in my career.” Her responsibilities included passing medications four times a day, and being available for walk-in ailments, which ranged from rashes and scraped knees to colds, earaches, and stomachaches. “I saw campers from breakfast through bedtime and supplied ‘health-moment’ talks for counselors. I actually lived in the little medical building, which was equipped with my own private room, as well as a living room/exam room area, where the kids came when they needed band-aids or medications. The building also housed a separate infirmary room.” daily activities helped me evaluate how their health issues were affecting them.” She continues, “Not only is pediatric experience important, but because of the complexity of psychosocial issues today, it also is essential to have professional resources with whom you can consult. Interestingly enough, my resources at camp ended up being a licensed clinical social worker and a pediatric psych nurse practitioner, who were friends of mine.” BREAKING THE ROUTINE Overall, Ms. Landis felt it was a rewarding experience, both professionally and personally. “Besides having the rare opportunity of seeing my patients in their day-to-day lives, I also got to escape the typical 9-to-5 office routine. It was so stimulating to start every day eating breakfast in the hall with 100 happy campers. Their energy is contagious, and I woke up each morning eager to start the day.” These days, she fills in at a few facilities near her home, and spends her time off traveling for pleasure with her husband. But returning to a camp is never far from her mind. “Every summer, I look outside and think how much I would like to do that again,” says Ms. Landis. “Thanks to the freedom I have as a locum tenens provider, one of these summers I just may. I would definitely encourage other healthcare providers to try this unique practice setting. It can be a great break from their routines.” L L Lisa Daggett is a freelance writer based in Saugerties, New York. www.LocumLife.com “It was so stimulating to start every day eating breakfast with 100 happy campers.” —Beth Landis, RN, NP The arrangement worked well, according to Ms. Landis. “As the only onsite medical person, I was on call all day every day, which was challenging when everyone needed me at once. But there were also days when the office was empty, and I could grab my beeper and join the kids. Where else could I spend a ‘work day’ tie-dying T-shirts on the beach? On a professional level, watching my patients perform their http://www.LocumLife.com

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LocumLife - December 2008 Editorial Contents From Nalto Stat! The Basics Last-Minute Luxury Mixing Business &�Pleasure Med Ec-cerpts Neonatology Advertiser Index Opportunities Direct On Location Contest Rules Anyone's Guess La Vita Locum

LocumLife - December 2008

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