USVI in 2015. Whos going?

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Specializes in Med surg, OR, GI, Tele, Neuro.

So after reading throught the forums and how working in USVI can be 3rd world, they lack supplies blah blah blah.

I figured screw it....why the hell not?

My plan- head down there around february...march or even april of 2015.

Im filling out application soon with Trustaff before the end of the month. (Weighing out my options with other agencies)

My specialty? Looking for the OR gig.

Thought it would be great if anyone else is planning on going to see if theres a chance to find a roommate, split a house/apartment?

Also....any tips on where to stay and on the cheap. I read Bologno is the way to go.

Cheers

Tony

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Are you in the USVI? If so, how is your housing? And commute to and from the hospital? I am a NICU nurse and looking at TNAA to assign to USVI.

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Specializes in Med surg, OR, GI, Tele, Neuro.

I am in USVI. My housing is fantastic. I am not staying in the housing provided by PNS (Agency). I found cheaper housing with water and electric included. I wound up saving and pocketing $375 extra. My commute from my location in Magens Point to the hospital is about 12 mins total. I work nights so I get zero traffic. The entire island is about 30 miles so getting to and fro the hospital wouldnt be a problem.

Check craigslist for housing.

Any questions...please ask. Ill post a full review later.

Tony

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Specializes in Peri-Op.

How is the OR down there(similar environment/practices)? I may end up doing a winter down there in a year or two....

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Specializes in Med surg, OR, GI, Tele, Neuro.

Im currently working on their "medical" floor which is their medsurg floor. They seperate their patients here...one unit is strictly medical and the "surgical" floor is the surgical and post op patients. Ive heard that the surgical side is much more strenuous than the Medical floor.

A colleague of mine also a traveler is an OR Scrub tech in the OR. She did mention that everyone is on "island time"...as is the rest of the hospital. Surgery sis scheduled at 0800? Well...they start at 1000. lol. No sense of urgency blah blah blah. Just go with the flow.

The OR from what she told me isnt that crazy or busy. Everyone gets along and get their job done.

Im glad I didnt do the OR gig. They are on 8 hour shifts 5 days a week. I prefer working my 3 12 hour shifts and getting off the other 4 to enjoy this beautiful island.

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At least a third of cases cancel for lack of a patient or surgeon. L&D is immediately adjacent to surgery with two C-section rooms and surgery does them. Circulating them requires a lot of organizational skills as the pediatrician has no help. Besides taking normal care of the mother in surgery, you also have to print and tag the baby! L&D doesn't (or didn't) help. Potentially dangerous if either the mother or baby crashes. They also have the only anesthesia assistant I've ever met - he doesn't induce (usually), but after that he is on his own.

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