Submitted by Alexis Hess on the 2024 Winter NURS program in British Virgin Islands…
This past weekend we took an excursion to the island of Jost Van Dyke, Little Jost, and Sandy Spit. Jost is a small island with a population of only 300. We can see Jost across the water from the town we are staying in so it was exciting to be able to see what we’ve been admiring this whole time. While at the island we took a hike to the “Bubbly Pools,” enjoyed the beach, and had a paddle board relay race. Sandy Spit, a tiny sandbar, which was an additional highlight that we swam to.
While we did have a lot of fun this past week on our excursion and at the beach, it was also our first week working in the hospital alongside nurses. We were split into different speciality units of our interest, including the ICU, ER, NICU, women’s health, med surg, and the behavioral health unit. This experience provided invaluable learning opportunities, allowing us to apply our clinical knowledge to a diverse patient population. Beyond deepening our understanding of the nursing profession, it exposed us to various lifestyles and their impacts on health. Our time at the hospital also allowed us to identify differences between the American healthcare system and that of the BVI. Looking forward to the coming weeks, I am eager for more enriching experiences, both within the hospital and on the island in general. (Submitted on January 18, 2024)
