Introduction
Guam travel nursing isn’t all too different from travel nursing in another US State. Since Guam is technically a US territory there is no Visa application process you have to go through in Guam travel nursing. But like travel nursing in another state, you do have to get a license from the Guam BRN.
Worldwide and Vero RN are just a couple of the agencies that will staff RN positions in Guam and they will take care of just about everything for you if you decide to embark upon your Guam travel nursing experience. They will make sure somebody is there to pick you up at the airport and they will take care of your paychecks, furnished housing and medical benefits.
Transportation
The only decision you have to make is your daily transportation. First and foremost, shipping cars to Guam is possible but can be really expensive. CFR Rinkens demands a minimum of $1650 for one way shipping. Buying cars in Guam can be expensive as everything is imported. The closest landmass is the Phillipeans which is 1,500 miles west.
Your best bet is finding long-term car rentals. Guam used to have the most cars per capita in the entire world so there is no shortage of relatively cheap used cars, locally known as “Guam Bombs” that cost as little as $10 per day. You can also buy a used bicycle for pretty cheap and your living situation is likely to be very close to the hospital.
Activities
Activities in Guam range from mountain climbing & hiking to water activities, particularly snorkeling. It is a beach culture for sure where you’ll find plenty of hotels, bars and tourists, particularly in the touristy Tumon. Make sure to take advantage of the abundant, free beaches and head south to the Southern Hills to absorb the scenery. Make sure to have everything you need before Sunday as most local businesses will be closed as the Island is primarily Catholic.
Beaches and Weather
Guam travel nursing is incredibly popular because of the beaches and the weather. But like anywhere else, the weather varies from season to season. The best time of year to go is from December to February. The average temperature during these usually cold months is 75-80 ° Fahrenheit.
From March to June can get pretty hot, 80-90 ° Fahrenheit. The worst time of year to go is from July-November, or typhoon season. These months usually get 22-25 days of rain per month and at least one major storm per season.
Guam
P.O. Box 2816
Hagatna, Guam 96932
671-664-4812
American Samoa Travel Nursing
Another option for travel nursing in the South Pacific is American Samoa. Firstly, what you don’t gain in money you gain in cultural experience. The minimum wage in American Samoa is nothing like the minimum wage in the United States as there is more international competition for wages. The minimum wage is under $3 dollars an hour, but that wage is balanced by a very cheap cost of living.
The hospital that employs the most mainlanders is LBJ Tropical Medical Center. The building itself is from the 1960s and could use a renovation. The building has withstood several severe storms and has been flooded various times. Being a secluded island, the medical supplies often run out and waiting times for supplies can be incredibly frustrating.
While the building is largely unimpressive, the equipment is up to date. There is a brand new ultrasound and some of the beds are hydraulic. The cafeteria is incredible and Samoans as a whole have a cuisine a lot of mainlanders fall in love with, think about lunching on stuffed chicken, ribs and delectable plantains!
Schedule
One of the oddities is that the clinic has a rotating schedule. Wednesdays are for postpartum, Thursdays are new patients and Fridays are for returning patients. The patients never have appointments and are served on a first come first serve basis. This rotating schedule is most problematic if a doctor misses a flight as there is no way to know which patients to notify.
Privacy
Privacy isn’t as much of a consideration as the facilities have curtains instead of doors. Ladies will often be undressed yet wrapped in lava-lavas, their version of sarongs.
Patients
Diabetes and obesity are huge problems in American Samoa. All patients get early glucose screenings due to the problems. While there are licensed midwives, the L&D staff is rather bare, only just 4 RNS, 2 LPNs and 4 CNAs. There aren’t any epidurals to manage pain and IV pain meds really are the only option, but the patients won’t even ask for those. They’re noted to casually stroll into the delivery room at 9 cm dilation.
Language
Many patients speak and understand a little bit of English, but Samon is the language of choice. The culture is a lot more laidback than the mainland, think Hawaii, and even the people whose family members are receiving care can be described as laidback as well.
American Samoa
Regulatory Board
LBJ Tropical Medical Center
Pago Pago, AS 96799