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Topic starter
Good day All!
I am attempting to procure some information regarding nursing life in the Virgin Islands. As of recent I am an RN with my BSN living and working in Bethel Alaska. I am wondering, is there a need for nurses within the Virgin Islands? When I Google ‘Virgin Island nursing opportunities’ I receive several hits (almost 3 million, somewhat overwhelming) but what I really want to know about is how the hospitals treat and value their nurses, nursing turn over rate, ability to move up and down the career ladder, nursing education opportunities and so on. To get to the bottom of it I am attempting to determine whether or not I should sign with a travel agency that staffs the US VI (not my ideal choice) or should I sign on directly with a hospital (should the opportunity present itself of course)? I have scoured the US VI Moving Center website and have learned a great deal about the culture and its differences from the mainland. I know this will sound silly but it shares many similarities with Bethel Alaska in regard to cultural diversity, pace and cost of living (climate however is vastly different as you might suspect). I have familiarized myself with the Governor Juan F. Luis Hospital & Roy Lester Schneider Hospital websites (are there any others I should familiarize myself with). Also, I’ve been attempting to find a viable web address for the VI state board of nursing and I have had no success. Can someone tell me where else I should search or should I just write them? Any responses would be greatly appreciated as I am excited to learn more about the US VI and nursing profession within the US VI!
Thank you in advance,
Esprit :@)
Posted : February 26, 2013 2:17 am
Why don't you sign up with one of the agencies for a 3 or 6 month tour? That give you a good salary and housing allowance and the opportunity to live and work in the VI to see if it's something you'd like to make permanent. Leave your stuff where it is and only bring your personal items.
Posted : February 26, 2013 2:53 am
Topic starter
Linda J,
Thank you for your response! Which agency would you recommend me signing up with?
Esprit
Posted : February 26, 2013 3:00 am
I have no idea. Perhaps other who have done this will chime in.
Posted : February 26, 2013 4:09 am
Having been to and worked in bethel a few times myself I'd say its a little different (at least STX ) the local population seems much friendlier over all & helpful when asked for information; the availability of stores/ resturants is much better.
And the cost of living is less here than bethel. It's very warm and humid (Alaska is so dry) here also which takes a few days to get used to.
As for nursing, I don't have any knowledge, best of luck
Posted : February 26, 2013 1:37 pm
Having lived in the same complex on STX where many of the nurses have lived when they were doing their 3 / 6 months ( that is how most came to look at it) I can tell you most were shocked with what they found.
Local nurses goofed off leaving them to do most of the work.
Supervisors allowing the above to happen.
Working conditions and equipment worse than what they were used to. Most told me "don't get hurt or sick and have to go into the hospital".
But all of that said, many did look at it as a 3 / 6 month vacation in Paradise.
A few did stay for another tour.
Posted : February 26, 2013 2:10 pm
Topic starter
LiquidFluoride,
I am ecstatic to hear that the people are friendlier (WOOHOO!!!) and the housing prices are lower (WOOHOO!!!)! That is awesome! I'm even more excited about being there! Thank you!
Terry,
I appreciate your response. The more I hear about the nursing realm in the Virgin Islands the more I think I would rather be a traveling nurse first. At least that way if I didn't like it I wouldn't be stuck. If I did like it then I could sign on with a hospital and stay. Thank you again!
Posted : February 26, 2013 6:59 pm
I've known a bunch of the travel nurses and although the hospital itself is a mess, it is improving and most of them love the island.
Posted : February 26, 2013 7:14 pm
esprit: Besides SRMC, there are lots of other opportunites: home health care, home hospice, skilled nursing, school nursing, doctor's offices, etc. The traveling nurses are treated relatively poorly, but at least you could get an idea about life in the USVI before you sign on. I would be surprised if the board of nursing had a web site. If you have their number, give them a call. We are on Atlantic Standard time, one hour later than EST.
Posted : February 26, 2013 8:35 pm
Hello esprit;
www.healthvi.org
Here's where I was able to find info about licensing reciprocity. They returned my emails withing a couple of short days.
With that said and being on the same boat as you, have you gotten the names or any contact info of a travel nursing staffing agency?? Have hit many dead ends to even begin the process on choosing an agency to move forward. If you don't mind sharing, that would be great. Thanks!
Posted : March 4, 2013 5:13 am
