Traveling to the Virgin Islands?

NedRN · Mar 2, 2014

It is as third world as you can find in the US. The compensation is misleading, there is no way they are paying that in actual dollars unless you are working 48 hours a week.

JoniLNeal · Mar 3, 2014

Hi. I took an assignment in the VI. It was very misleading. You drive on the opposite side of the street...a rental car is 600/month per driver( you cant share) and there is a daily fee to park at your residence...taxis run from 7am to 7pm, so if you work any hours before or after 7, you need to find transportation...when we got to the apartment, it was very nice. But the letter on the table said; -any utilities over 100.00 a month will be deducted from your pay -do not leave the apt complex after 7pm alone, it is not safe. There is a public service trolley that you can ride on for 2.00 if you can get to the bus stop, however you cannot take it to the grocery store because no bags are allowed.

My fiancé and I got a ride from a local native there to Kmart, on that parking lot is where an American teenage girl was shot while riding on a tourist bus. Two gangs were feuding there and were shooting at each other.

Also, at the apt., I met a nurse that was in tears. She said " I came here to make money to send back to my husband and kids, but the company is taking so much out that I can't afford to send money home or to buy myself a plane ticket out of here."

At the hospital on orientation day, I met other travel nurses that said they couldn't wait until their assignment was over and they were not coming back.

Alcohol and cigs are cheap-a carton was 20.00 no matter what brand you buy. But food and necessities were high. A pack of cheap razors were 10 bucks, lunchmeat 10.00/lb, and milk was almost 10.00 a gallon.

One nurse told me that as she was leaving the hospital, she came to a stop sign. A man stepped out with a gun and pointed it at her through the wind shield. She sped off as he was coming around the car. When she told the company that she wanted to go home, she was told that she would have to stay or else pay for it herself.

Bluebolt · Mar 4, 2014

Wow those experiences sound terrible. I think I'll reconsider that location...

NedRN · Mar 4, 2014

I enjoyed the Virgin Islands, for one assignment! Yes, there is crime, not too different than most cities. Some travelers stay a lot longer. The ones staying longer typically really liked the bar scene, or were scuba divers or sailors. It is one of the least likely assignments to do for money, that is for sure. It was the lowest paid assignment I have had in the last 10 years despite going with the highest paying agency there, but I did it for the experience.