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

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

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

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