Submitted by Lindsay Johnson on the 2020 winter session program in the Virgin Islands sponsored by the School of Nursing…
An exciting new adventure has begun in my home for two weeks – Tortola. We began this journey with an all-day sail to Norman and Peter Island, in which we were able to snorkel at Treasure Point and see beautiful schools of fish among the caves, as well as swim with the turtles. Throughout the day, the captain and his crew member talked about the history of the islands, especially the pirates that once coveted the lands and sea. It is known that if brave enough, snorkelers can swim through one of the dark caves and to a secret beach at the end. Although none of us did this, we enjoyed the sunshine before beginning our clinical work on Monday.
Throughout our stay in Tortola, we are completing our clinical rotations at Peeble’s Hospital, which is the main public hospital in the British Virgin Islands. I have been placed on the medical-surgical unit, which is a 20-bed unit that cares for a variety of patients. My first week has already been filled with many experiences, including caring for patients with varying medical diagnoses such as strokes, heart failure, and GI bleeds. Additionally, I have had to adjust to the daily routine of the unit and become accustomed to documenting on paper, rather than computer. Compared to my clinical experiences in Delaware, it has been shocking to witness the differences in health care between institutions. I feel grateful to be able to live in a country where healthcare resources are abundantly available to me so that I can provide the best care possible to my patients.
