{"id":3073,"date":"2022-11-18T09:00:39","date_gmt":"2022-11-18T09:00:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.nursefly.com\/?p=3073"},"modified":"2024-08-07T17:11:08","modified_gmt":"2024-08-07T17:11:08","slug":"u-s-virgin-islands-travel-nurse-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/travel-guides\/u-s-virgin-islands-travel-nurse-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"U.S. Virgin Islands: Travel Nurse Location Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"

Located in the Caribbean Sea about 40 miles east of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI), is known for turquoise waters, pristine beaches, and year-round water sports. This U.S. territory includes the three large islands of St. Croix, St. John and St. Thomas plus 50 smaller islands and cays. While many people choose the Virgin Islands as a vacation spot, others have decided to make it their home and their workplace. In fact, the island of St. Thomas is a hot spot for <\/span>travel nurses<\/span><\/a> who like a little adventure with their nursing contracts! St. Thomas is the most heavily populated island of the USVI and offers an unmatched travel nursing experience.<\/span><\/p>\n

Travel Nursing Hospitals in the <\/b>Virgin Islands<\/b><\/h2>\n

St. Thomas\u2019 only hospital, <\/span>Roy Lester Schneider Hospital<\/span><\/a>, is located mid-island on the south shore of Charlotte Amalie, the capital city. This 169-bed acute-care facility usually employs a fair amount of travel nurses as it serves St. Thomas as well as patients from throughout the Eastern Caribbean region and the over 1 million tourists the island sees annually.<\/span><\/p>\n

Schneider Hospital is a Joint Commission accredited facility with a wide range of specialties including cardiology, <\/span>emergency medicine<\/span><\/a>, inpatient and outpatient surgery, medical oncology and rehabilitation services. As part of the Schneider Regional Medical Center, this health system also operates the Myrah Keating Smith Health Center on St. John and the Charlotte Kimelman Cancer Institute on St. Thomas.<\/span><\/p>\n

Another top USVI facility is <\/span>Juan F. Luis Hospital and Medical Center<\/span><\/a> located in Christiansted, St. Croix. This family-centered facility has 77 beds and provides general medicine, labor and delivery, diagnostic imaging, emergency services and a full range of care to area residents. It is also home to the Virgin Islands Cardiac Center, a premier cardiac treatment facility in the Caribbean. <\/span>Other facilities in the Virgin Islands include VA clinics on both St. Thomas and St. Croix, St. Thomas East End Medical Center and Charles Harwood Medical Center on St. Croix.<\/span><\/p>\n

Nurses interested in working on St. Thomas should note that the <\/span>RN licensure process<\/span><\/a> in the USVI can take a bit longer than you\u2019d experience in the states, so plan ahead. Check out the <\/span>USVI board of nursing application<\/span><\/a> for information on how to obtain a license for travel nursing in St. Thomas. You should also note that the application requires two letters of reference verifying your scope of practice.<\/span><\/p>\n

U.S. Virgin Islands Travel Nurse Pay Rates<\/b><\/h2>\n

The <\/span>U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics<\/span><\/a> reported in May 2021 that registered nurses in the USVI earned an average wage of $35.92 and accounted for 4.5% of the territory’s workforce. Vivian has previously posted travel nurse jobs in St. Thomas starting at $1380 per week, for a gross income of $5980 per month. Although pay rates and travel contract opportunities will vary, remember that you\u2019ll also receive the immeasurable benefits of living in an island paradise.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Where to Live in St. Thomas<\/b><\/h2>\n

As the healthcare hub of the USVI, St. Thomas offers the most opportunity for travel nurses. The island of St. Thomas is just 13 miles long and about 4 miles wide, so it would only take about 35-40 minutes to drive across the entire island. The island\u2019s terrain is rugged and includes Crown Mountain with an elevation of 1,277 feet, plus beaches and coral reefs surrounding the island.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

While most travel nurse agencies will offer fully furnished housing in lieu of a <\/span>housing stipend<\/span><\/a>, many travel nurses prefer to take the stipend and find their own housing. There are pockets of both luxury and poverty scattered throughout St. Thomas, but with a bit of research, you can select the perfect spot to book your stay in one of its four main regions.<\/span><\/p>\n

Charlotte Amalie<\/b>
\n<\/span>Living downtown in the capital of Charlotte Amalie can be a bit overwhelming. The apartments are packed in close and it is the most densely populated area of the island with over 10,000 residents. Plus, when cruise ships roll into the harbor, the town can be inundated with tourists. There are a variety of accommodations available there, but you\u2019ll probably want to avoid the tourist-laden hotels and resorts. Instead, look for rental homes and condos within a short commute of your work location. Branching out from the city center may provide a more peaceful island lifestyle while you are working as a travel nurse.<\/span><\/p>\n

Charlotte Amalie West<\/b>
\n<\/span>Located west of the capital, this area is home to amazing beaches, the university and the airport. Charlotte Amalie West is also a more budget-friendly option with accommodations that are typically less crowded than other areas of St. Thomas. Villas and Airbnb rentals are abundant here, although you may need to book them in advance, so plan ahead.<\/span><\/p>\n

Red Hook<\/b>
\n<\/span>Red Hook, also known as the East End, encompasses the easternmost part of the island. This area is known for quiet beaches and great snorkeling but can get a bit rowdy at night. As the sun sets Red Hook becomes a hub of activity with people filling up popular restaurants, bars and clubs. This is a great area if you are looking to be in the middle of the hustle and bustle, but if you prefer a quieter environment look elsewhere. Of course, if you are working the night shift, then you could take advantage of all the area offers during the day and then enjoy the nightlife on your days off.<\/span><\/p>\n

Magens Bay<\/b>
\n<\/span>Located on the north side of the island, Magens Bay is known as a great place for families. It also has the island\u2019s most popular beach and is a favorite destination for locals. The calm waters and lack of currents make the bay a perfect spot for kids to play, for snorkeling adventures and a variety of water sports. You\u2019ll find an easy breezy atmosphere in Magens Bay along with plenty of eateries, accommodations and attractions.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Finding Housing on St. Thomas<\/b><\/h2>\n

As a tourist mecca, finding affordable short-term housing on St. Thomas can be tricky without some research. The <\/span>USVI Moving Center<\/span><\/a> is a great place to learn what to expect before you arrive. There are also some popular Facebook groups where locals post their homes or apartments for rent, including <\/span>Affordable V.I. Housing Rentals <\/span><\/a>and\u00a0U.S. Virgin Islands Apartments and Houses for Rent<\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n

In addition, you can join Facebook community groups to get advice on specific areas for accommodations and find great resources for local and current events:<\/span><\/p>\n