ST. Thomas USVI Travel????

mveldma3 · Mar 13, 2012

I'd also be interested to find out what conditions are like these days. I have heard similar stories, and was told by one of my recruiters that I would need "thick skin" to work down there...paradise sounds great, but not if I'm going to dread going to work...

sbn116 · Mar 16, 2012

I just signed a contract with PNS in St. Thomas. I fly down April 13th. I have heard that you have to be curteous and they will return the favor. I will be working in the ICU and heard it wasn't that terrible but you do have th McGuyver some things or reuse supplies that are normally disposable. I even heard a story about the hospital running out of O2. Med-surg ratios are terrible though so I was told to stay away from those units. For paradise though, it will be well worth it. Finally get to use my SCUBA certification on a regular basis.....hope this helps, I don't have any first hand experience.

RNstoke · Mar 24, 2012

Hi!

I'm interested in traveling to St. Thomas. Keep us posted on how it goes. My boyfriend is totally in love St. John and is pushing hard for us to move there, but as much as I love a tropical lifestyle (I've lived in Costa Rica, Miami and California) and have visited the islands, I like my university medical center job. And I'm very nervous about the working conditions based on earlier posts. I would also be interested in hearing about your experience w/PNS as I'm researching travel companies now.

Best,

Jess

KeriMarie · Mar 28, 2012

Hi ladies/gents : ) I'm sure you read all the posts and I'm sure you're overwhelmed by it all. I can honestly tell you that if you submitted your application to STT you probably have a great, enthusiastic attitude and you'll love it as much as I did. I was a relatively new nurse (less than 2 years) and it was my first travel contract so that speaks volumes about the experience. If you feel confident within your specialty I would push you out the door to get there as fast as you can. I learned so much about myself professionally and the lessons could never have been learned without traveling somewhere like STT. The local nurses will challenge you (don't all new nurses get treated this way?) but it's just a tad more contemptuous AT FIRST. Prove yourself and be kind to everyone and they will be sad to see you go... this was my experience. It's an adventure, this is not a 3rd world hospital... they practice sterile technique, have equipment, and care deeply about their patients. It is MUCH different than working on the mainland but isn't that exciting to you? Please feel free to email me at [email protected] for any more specific questions. All the best my friends!

Citigyrl · Mar 30, 2012

There are immediate assignments open in the virgin islands if you are interested I can give you some info. I traveled there last year and am about to return for a second trip.

napalmer927 · Mar 31, 2012

I visited St Croix this past January, and running out of seemingly everyday things seems to be a facet of island life in general. One guy I talked to made a point of saying that you had to be ok with running out of things like stamps, milk, etc. to live on an island. It's definitely beautiful though, and all the people I met were nice. There are lots of other nearby islands that are easily accessible by ferry or seaplane too.

Noahj · Apr 19, 2012

I was looking at the USVI and was told by Cross Country that they will not hire a first time traveler. Has things changed? I'm a 6 year nurse having done agency full time the last year and I'm ready to travel. Wanted to go to STT but was told I couldn't.

wanderlust99 · Apr 20, 2012

I want to go so bad, but am hesitant to go alone. I wish I had a friend to go with, I'd go right away.

wellsjc · Jun 5, 2012

Hi! I have accepted an assignment via PNS to begin June 18 in St Thomas. This is my first travel assignment in my 25 years of nursing. I will be in the ER on nights. Any advice or forewarning will be appreciated. Know anything about PNS?

mveldma3 · Jul 23, 2012

hey wellsjc,

I am an ER nurse as well..just checking to see how your assignment and working conditions are at the hospital in St Thomas. I am hoping to look at an assignment there in 2013. Also, how do you like PNS? Thanks!

Aleonard13 · Jul 27, 2012

i worked in st. thomas for 1.5 years on the surgical unit, sometimes floated to medical. it was my first nurse job, i was trained there, and was permanent staff not a traveler.

the hospital has tons of travelers so you will not be alone, and permanent staff are very use to working with you. all of the stories are true. there is good and bad, but you have to be flexible enough to roll with the punches. you can't change island life or the hospital, you have to adapt.

one of the other posts said it best: be courteous, professional and you shouldn't have a problem. unfortunately i have worked with a couple of travel nurses that did a half-assed job, and gave off the vibe of only being there to party, etc. but only a few.

having said all that, i do recommend working at STT. you will never get an experience like it anywhere else!!