psych0naut

Hi Dave. I used the word "possible" in reference to O2 and Defibs to indicate that they could be considered for inclusion on "the list". I was not implying that I view those items as optional. That being said, I appreciate your contribution and hope you have a nice day.

Very good thoughts. Thank you. Now then, I would be very interested in getting some thoughts on how to stock the island infirmary. For those of you willing to participate in this little exercise please convince yourself that you will be the only RN on an Island and you'd have maybe 20-30 people on the Island with you. Please make a list of supplies you would like to order. This can range from gauze and tongue depressors to amoxicillin and morphine! Be as thorough as you can and assume that, within reason, money is not an issue. Defibrillators and Oxygen are possible. A hyperbaric oxygenation chamber is probably a bit much! : ) Thx in advance!

...it very well may be!!! I certainly understand why one would be skeptical about this whole thing. These are the very early stages of this project so we'll have to see how things pan out. The reason the man with the mula would hire me at this stage as opposed to a more qualified person is that he knows and trusts me. As I see it, he is starting off with an "inner circle" of sorts. I know several of the other people who will be involved in this project. Also, my computer background is desirable because there are thoughts of setting up an ISP as well. I can function as a jack-of-all-trades...or a jack-of-two-trades, as the case may be. Initially, I'll only be responsible for the health of the small group of people working on the project. If and when things progress to the point of a hotel getting established we'll be able to determine whether my knowledge and skill have grown sufficiently for such a responsibility and if necessary an additional person can be brought in. As things become a bit more concrete I'll certainly sit down and assess the situation and determine how serious the primary players are and what the degree of my involvement will be. Thanks for the suggestions and I'll certainly take those to heart if/when I get to the point of preparing for this move!

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.

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!