[SRC8FAN]

Hey there to everyone!
Looking to travel to USVI (St Thomas or St Croix)...looking for positive stories...i've read several negative stories but I try to look for the good in everything. If anyone can help me out - would be GREATLY appreciated!!! I'm a 3-year NeuroTrauma ICU Nurse at a Level 1 facility...looking for a big change! THANKS GUYS

[rosemarypmrn]

not sure if you already have a contract, but you can private email me @birthtravelnurse@yahoo.com and I can give you the name of my recruiter which can get you over there. From all I have read the hospitals are very delayed in technology and it is truly hands on nursing using every skill you have.
Nancy

[SRC8FAN]

Thanks Nancy, I'll e-mail you ASAP! I actually am kinda looking forward to some hands-on nursing and NOT so much technology! I'm looking forward to the challenge - sometimes I feel as though we're babied in our unit where I work right now...we'll see how it goes!!!
~Sammie

[mindwise1]

Good day, everyone! I was planning a trip to the Virgin Islands in August to check out the campus of UVI on ST. Thomas. If there is any students that attend there or have graduated from there, what was your learning experience in the BSN nursing program? Any information would be helpful. Thanks!

[cariad]

was on st croix for 18 months and loved it.
the hospitals are a bit antiquated but good enough. they are attracting more doctors from the mainland, who want the lifestyle of living down there and have brought good skills to the place. st croix is trying to specialise in cardiac and st thomas are tring to specialise in cancer.
the website...gotostcroix, gives you links to to the hospital and the island

[threeseas]

Originally Posted by SRC8FAN

Hey there to everyone!
...i've read several negative stories but I try to look for the good in everything.

What are some of the negative stories? Are these mostly working in the hospital - or living on the island? I am planning on moving there for school at UVI St. Thomas and would love to get an idea for what i'm in for!

[Esh570]

Sorry just saw your post. . .

I actually just finished up an assignment in the VI at Schneider hopistal. Even met ole Roy L. Schneider himself. It will probably be a big culture shock, the island living and the way they practice. Sometimes boarding on dangerous. The travelers seem to hang together and do things like travel. If you are open to new experinces, I say go for it.

[SRC8FAN]

Hey everyone!!!! Sammie here...dove right in and moved down to the VI. Was down there for 9 months and LOVED LOVED LOVED it!!! Met fabulous ppl, both travelers and staff...looking to go back hopefully in January. The ICU was a little behind the times, but comeon, it is an island! HAHA If anyone has any questions - feel free to PM me...Happy travels...
Sammie

[KeriMarie]

hey there-taking a 13 wk assignment to st thomas and very excited I'll be working in their NICU dept. Can you tell me about the unit? I'm with CCTC and although the pay is low I'm hoping my experience will be rewarding. Any info would be appreciated! Thanks, keri

[SRC8FAN]

Hey there...

The most important thing to remember when going to the VI is to have an open mind!!! Your going to a place that is not like anywhere in the USA! They have thier own culture and way of doing things down there. Very "laid back" way of life and if your open to it, IT'S GREAT!!!!

A majority of the travelers live at Sapphire beach. I dont' know where your housing is at, but Trustaff (who i'm with) and PNS both house nurses there and it's a big travel nurse community - we mostly all stick together, hehe. Will you be traveling alone? My husband and I moved out of Sapphire to try to save $, but ended up moving back there for the rest of our stay b/c it truly has the most to offer...it's on the safari line (way to get to work if you don't rent a car), right next to Red Hook (a little community with resturants, bars, shopping, marina, etc), next to the ferrydock to get to St John (MOST IMPORTANT!) and sits right on the nicest beach on St Thomas.

As for the hospital...I don't really know much about the NICU, I worked in the general ICU. I loved all the doctors and worked really well with all the nurses (mostly made up of travelers). The best advice I can give you to get along with everyone down there is that they are VERY BIG on greeting everyone that you come in contact with...GOOD MORNING, GOOD AFTERNOON, GOOD EVENING, GOOD NIGHT, are a MUST! you are known in the hospital by your last name - they are very big on respect. I LOVED the patients - they were always so appreciative of the nursing care, very respectful!

I don't know where you live - but the cost of living down there is outrageous! A gallon of milk is around $9 and gas is around $4.70/gallon...granted the island is 13x4 miles and you dont' use a whole lot of gas...it's still expensive! Boxes of cereal are like $6-7, etc. So if your prepared for it, it won't be that much of a shocker!

Next - explore, explore, explore!!!!!!!!! Your in paradise!!!! Get in a car and drive around...you can't really get lost on an island thats 13x4 miles, eventually you'll find where you wanna get to. Our favorite place is St john ($5/10 minute ferry ride)...literally every day we had off, we went to St john...the beaches are UNBELIEVABLE!!!!!!! PICTURE PERFECT!!!!! If you get the chance to go to the BVI's - don't pass it up...they are even better than St john. We took a 'vacation' (haha) and went to Tortola (BVI) to a 'full moon party.' if you get the chance - take it! you'll LOVE it, just keep an open mind...

Good luck and don't hesitate to ask any questions...i LOVE talking about our experience!!!!
Sammie