Virgin Islands

txwildflower57 · Nov 16, 2010

I am currently in the process of getting an assignment to the Virgin Islands. Do you like it there? How is the housing, prices for food, etc...? I am really excited about the opportunity and my family is backing me a 100%. Please let me know.

Argo · Nov 17, 2010

which agency did you use? how long did you try to get that assignment?

registeredin06 · Nov 17, 2010

Yes! We want ALL the details!!! :)

My biggest concern is safety and housing conditions. Where specifically do they house and overall do you feel safe??..... obviously when taking the appropriate precautions.

Fair treatment at work? Tolerable working conditions? Island life stories?? Car situation?? Did you travel alone? Compensation? Anything and everything you'd like to share!!

Thanks fellow traveler!!

nursinadream · Nov 17, 2010

Trustaff has the exclusive contract for travel in ST Thomas, USVI, though in the OR there are 2 travelers

who have been here since before contract began in Sept. The pay is OK, though the cost of living is high. Trustaff offers decent wage - $37 per hour, just $13 of it taxed. If they arrange your airfare and housing they will deduct it from you weekly. They mainly use housing called Saphire Village which are privately owned units with varying degree of cleanliness and quality. Its hard to know the "price" of the units because you never see an invoice and the payments are just deducted from your wage (that's not really a "wage" then, is it?) Up to $500 dollars per week, even. There is a beautiful beach, great view, nice bar and beach concessions, water sports, etc. There is a $2 open air taxi that services this resort and its quite reliable. Trustaff is experimenting with its own free shuttle van for the nurses on a scheduled basis suitalbe for those working typical 12 hour shifts on a unit. Nobody from the OR uses it, and I think the ER works odd shifts too so they don't use it, and OR staff does some 3-11 and call so the free shuttle doesn't work then either. So car rental is an option. I wouldn't do this without a car. The best option is known as a "mini-lease" from Dependable car rental. Its $599 a month and you must purchase insurance which was $800 a year, then will get a rebate. So that's a lot of money up front. You can't come here without a nice cushion, and you will spend a lot of money, probably most of what you earn on food, water, gasoline and the FUN STUFF. I love the weekends. I love the beaches, and the pretty drives and views and going to ST John, snorkeling and walking around the local vendors selling food, souvenirs and clothing. The travelers in the OR all do things in the evenings and weekends, lots of places to eat and drink. The patients are very easy to care for, the surgeons and anesthesia - we have 4 CRNAs only 1 is permanent - staff are great too. The OR is 80% travelers, so we don't work with too many locals, they sometims join in with our excursions. The equipment is up to date and in good working order. The disposables are a mystery. Today we are out of size 7.5 glove and 18 ga. needles for example. Its just a materiels management nightmare. This is an amazing experience, I really love it. I feel safe, though cautious. I do not live where the other travelers are, but nearby. I arranged my own housing and airfare, like the independence, youknow. People are helpful when you ask nicely and approach them in a friendly way. This is not the place for everyone. Many nurses do not stay past day 1. We just heard of one not even going to orientation. Since trustaff is exclusive down here they even have a liason here at the hospital. I'm not sure what she does, but she could probably help ease the nurses in a little, by meeting them at the airport. It can be intimidating.

I have lots more to say, but this is getting lengthy!

Deb

Argo · Nov 17, 2010

good run down on the situation there. We like to hear all the info.

registeredin06 · Nov 18, 2010

thanks for the info!! do you hear anything about the ICU??

nursinadream · Nov 18, 2010

RE the ICU. There are a good many travelers there. I pick up patients for surgery there so have seen the unit. I can't really give an impression of the unit. Just an observation, it doesn't seem real technically challenging....don't mean to put those nurses down.

More about expenses: I pay $1000 a month for studio apartment in Pineapple Village. I found this on a message board. This is a common type of unit in St Thomas. It has plenty of room for 1. Nice big bed and full kitchen and bathroom, that's it. It is in very good condition. Utilities are extra, about 150-200 per month. The owner employes a cleaning staff. She does the linens and cleaning every week and is happy to do a load for me. I give her 10 bucks for that. This is not real common, I'm sure. But a huge savings for me because many places have coin op laundry and it ain't cheap. My apartment has wifi, which most don't have. Another huge benefit you won't get at Sapphire for example. You can buy something for your computer and pay for some service, that usually works, but not always, I've heard. I've already told about the car rental and insurance. Gas is $3.50 per gallon, though I don't travel that many miles I spend about $20 per week. I bought a new phone (go-phone - about $35 dollars and $60 per month)here as I am a T-mobile customer and it doesn't work here even the they say it does. I rented a mail box for $60 for 3 months. These things aren't required to live, but we all use these things and you probably won't be happy without.

I keep speaking about the travelers as RNs. Trustaff is providing all sorts of travelers here in St Thomas: RNs, scrub techs, central supply techs, x-ray techs and us techs and Resp techs and lab techs.

I am going to finish each post with this: I enjoy it here, and I'm glad I came.

registeredin06 · Nov 19, 2010

Thx again for more info...I am ICU and am hoping to get there mid-January. I am at a crazy, super intense trauma unit right now, so "not technically challenging" sounds great!!! :)

Love reading of your experience...keep it coming! Most info out there is out-dated.

Take care and Good Day!!

nursinadream · Nov 19, 2010

Dear 06 and others. I will say again this is an amazing experience. But do not come here looking to make a lot of money. It would be best to have a cushion of cash in the bank for up front expenses. If the Trustaff shuttle is still in operation it will benefit you for an ICU or other inpatient unit. But you will want a car in my opinion. We drive on the left here and it took just a minute or 2 to "get it". The traffic is horredous getting out to the East end where the best housing is but the drivers are friendly and kindly let you pull into a line of traffic or to let you make a turn.

Anyone can PM me or ask more questions here. I'll give you my recruiters name too, maybe I'll get a little bonus.

Deb

registeredin06 · Nov 21, 2010

Hey there. I can"t PM, you can email me at [email protected]

cablack · Dec 15, 2010

Hey, starting in st croix in Jan. Can you tell me what to expect. How do I go about buy a car instead of renting?