Island Nursing

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OK..Here's the scenario: I graduated with my Associates in Nursing in 1995. I have never actually worked as a RN though. I didn't get the first position I interviewed for and subsequently was offered a job as a computer technician which is another field that held great appeal for me. Despite my lack of work experience I have kept my license active. Fast forward to 2004! A rather wealthy associate I know is purchasing a group of Islands in French Polynesia, near Bora Bora. He has asked me to work for him, living on the Island and being the medical person. Initially there will be a small group but eventually a hotel will be established as well as a pearl farm and an Internet Service Provider for the Islands. Here's the question: Given my lack of experience, what would you recommend I do in order to prepare myself for that experience? What books would you consider "must have" for such a scenario? What medications and supplies would you recommend I stock? I've have my own thoughts about how to address the above concerns but I'd really appreciate an informed opinion! Thanks in advance for your help!

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OK..Here's the scenario: I graduated with my Associates in Nursing in 1995. I have never actually worked as a RN though. I didn't get the first position I interviewed for and subsequently was offered a job as a computer technician which is another field that held great appeal for me. Despite my lack of work experience I have kept my license active. Fast forward to 2004! A rather wealthy associate I know is purchasing a group of Islands in French Polynesia, near Bora Bora. He has asked me to work for him, living on the Island and being the medical person. Initially there will be a small group but eventually a hotel will be established as well as a pearl farm and an Internet Service Provider for the Islands. Here's the question: Given my lack of experience, what would you recommend I do in order to prepare myself for that experience? What books would you consider "must have" for such a scenario? What medications and supplies would you recommend I stock? I've have my own thoughts about how to address the above concerns but I'd really appreciate an informed opinion! Thanks in advance for your help!

It would probably be good if your friend would have me come over and help you get things set up! Exactly what will your duties be; do you know yet? You are isolated on the islands and may not have a lot of backup so it could be scary with little experience. Heck, it's scary here in Hawaii sometimes...did I really say that! :chuckle

Plus I'm sure your friend needs a Zen Shiatsu therapist for the island!

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Specializes in tele, stepdown/PCU, med/surg.
A rather wealthy associate I know is purchasing a group of Islands in French Polynesia, near Bora Bora. He has asked me to work for him, living on the Island and being the medical person.

I'd love to get in with your circle of friends! Just kidding. Seriously, if you're not going right away, I suggest getting some RN experience somewhere at a hospital. Of course if you're going anytime soon that won't be an option.

I suggest purchasing a book on 'healthcare in rural settings.' There are a couple of really good ones. Kinda like 'You have a patient with compartment syndrome secondary to a snake bite and all you have is a coconut, a machete, and a savage monkey, what do you do?' situations. They will prove to be an asset.

What an adventure of a lifetime and we'd love to receive updates here on allnurses.com!

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I'd love to get in with your circle of friends! Just kidding. Seriously, if you're not going right away, I suggest getting some RN experience somewhere at a hospital. Of course if you're going anytime soon that won't be an option.

I suggest purchasing a book on 'healthcare in rural settings.' There are a couple of really good ones. Kinda like 'You have a patient with compartment syndrome secondary to a snake bite and all you have is a coconut, a machete, and a savage monkey, what do you do?' situations. They will prove to be an asset.

What an adventure of a lifetime and we'd love to receive updates here on allnurses.com!

Forget about learning about snakebites. There aren't any snakes on Bora Bora! The Special Forces Medic handbook might be good! :rotfl: Became familar with drug ODs and ETOH related injuries among guests, sunburn, diving injuries, drowning, surfing injuries, sea critter injuries (jellyfish, etc..) Remember that you are part of the food chain if you're in the ocean.

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OK..Here's the scenario: I graduated with my Associates in Nursing in 1995. I have never actually worked as a RN though. I didn't get the first position I interviewed for and subsequently was offered a job as a computer technician which is another field that held great appeal for me. Despite my lack of work experience I have kept my license active. Fast forward to 2004! A rather wealthy associate I know is purchasing a group of Islands in French Polynesia, near Bora Bora. He has asked me to work for him, living on the Island and being the medical person. Initially there will be a small group but eventually a hotel will be established as well as a pearl farm and an Internet Service Provider for the Islands. Here's the question: Given my lack of experience, what would you recommend I do in order to prepare myself for that experience? What books would you consider "must have" for such a scenario? What medications and supplies would you recommend I stock? I've have my own thoughts about how to address the above concerns but I'd really appreciate an informed opinion! Thanks in advance for your help!

OMG! Can I go?

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I'd probably contact the Tahiti government to find out about hospitals and clincs. Then maybe try to get a rotation with them-you're going to have to send any severe or trauma patients to the hospital and need MD resources so you might want to start there! Things always seem to go better when they can put a name with a face.

Good luck and stay cool.

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Good thoughts guys. Pretty much along the lines I was thinking. These are some of the things I've been thinking of doing:

1. Find one of my friends from nursing school, or a friend of a friend, who works trauma/ER nursing or knows someone who does and try to arrange a brief mentorship process wherein I would shadow the person and get to observe the trauma nursing process, ask questions, and hopefully pratice various skills.

2. Alternately, or additionally, I might try talking to a nursing instructor or EMT instructor at one of the local community colleges and see if I can pay him/her for some private training so that I practice skills like starting IVs, intubation, etc.

3. Ask aforementioned persons (and persons on thses forums) to help me come up with a list of all supplies I should have on the Island. Those of you here who'd like to help me with this, here's the question: If you were going to be living and working on an island what supplies would you stock? Make a list of everything on your wishlist.

4. Once I'm out there I would find out where the nearest trauma center, or at least hospital, is relative to the Island where I'll be stationed. Make an appt to meet the chief doc to discuss my situation and get advice/develop a plan of action we could implement in the event of a serious trauma on the Island.

5. Find out where I can order supplies, meds and such to stock my "field hospital". How will this work for controlled meds like Morphine??

What do you think? Any additional thoughts or recommendations? I'm really excited about this incredible opportunity. In addition to the incredible location the guy is offering to start me out at $5000 per month with all my housing, food, etc taken care of. Sounds too good to be true so here's to hoping that it's not! Thanks again for all your help and I'll keep you posted as things progress.

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Here's the government hospital in Tahiti: http://www.hospitalmanagement.net/projects/tahiti/

Remember it's a French island so will be all screwed up...in some aspects!

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Psychonaut ... your post brings to mind the first question I have when something like this comes along: "Why you, and not somebody else?"

In other words, why would this person hire a non-experienced nurse to do what is obviously an independent, autonomous operation, especially since -- under these terms -- there are probably a lot of experienced, qualified nurses who would do the job? And if it's all on the up and up, are you placing your nursing license (not to mention anyone you will be treating) at risk by doing things you simply don't know how to do?

I wish you the best. I just hope that you are not risking yourself -- or others -- by doing this.

Jim Huffman, RN

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OK..Here's the scenario: I graduated with my Associates in Nursing in 1995. I have never actually worked as a RN though. I didn't get the first position I interviewed for and subsequently was offered a job as a computer technician which is another field that held great appeal for me. Despite my lack of work experience I have kept my license active. Fast forward to 2004! A rather wealthy associate I know is purchasing a group of Islands in French Polynesia, near Bora Bora. He has asked me to work for him, living on the Island and being the medical person. Initially there will be a small group but eventually a hotel will be established as well as a pearl farm and an Internet Service Provider for the Islands. Here's the question: Given my lack of experience, what would you recommend I do in order to prepare myself for that experience? What books would you consider "must have" for such a scenario? What medications and supplies would you recommend I stock? I've have my own thoughts about how to address the above concerns but I'd really appreciate an informed opinion! Thanks in advance for your help!

This sounds like some kind of major scam to me. A pearl farm in Bora Bora?? I would be very skeptical. Is he asking you to put money down? Are you signing a contract? Do you have anything in writing? Have you researched it?

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It would probably be good if your friend would have me come over and help you get things set up!

I cook really well and can clean up around the hut if necessary!! Is Bora Bora anything like OHIO?:rotfl:

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So let me get this right...

You are going to be the head medical person on an isolated island.

You have no clinical emergency experience.

You have been a computer tech.

Can I have the name of the Island so I can make sure I don;t have the big one there...:rotfl:

In all seriousness. How serious of a post is this? Is your friend serious? Are you serious?

If you are then I guess the first thing I would do is take an EMT/paramedic training program specifically for rural/isolated areas. They offer these programs in romote parts of the country for hikers/climbers etc. and specialize in life saving techniques for such.

Second and this is most important for your long term ability to stay out of jail, who, what and how runs this island and who will be looking to lock you up if you make an error in medical treatment. Is there such an authority? Can you be held liable for such actions with no serious credentials behind you.

Now trying to be to sarcastic here but I can not help it. Actually I am only being half as sarcastic as I really want to be...

If however, this is a job offer of a lifetime, and you feel confident in your abilities to treat the masses of this island, good luck and please be safe.

And again please let us know the name of this island so we can chose not to vacation there...:chuckle

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