[nurse_misty]

Hello!

Has anyone worked with Kahu Malama? How were the facilities? What kind of bonuses/ benefits/ pay did they have? I am in touch with a recruiter there and I just wanted some advice about the company. I would appreciate any input or advice! Thanks.

[jdtrn]

I have worked for them. At first they seemed ok. But after a while, it became obvious that they were only concerned with making money and not keeping their employees happy. Unfortunately because they were one of the first agencies started here, there name is familiar to everyone, so everyone automatically thinks they must be the place to go. However, I have also worked for several different agencies who were all wonderful. They were concerned about my needs and didn't get upset if I decided not to work for a couple of weeks (isn't that flexibility what agency nursing is all about!) Anyway, there are a couple of new ones out there. The most recent one I worked for was Critical Nursing Services. I believe they pay the highest at this time. Hope that helps!

[Juneria1]

Originally Posted by nurse_misty

Hello!

Has anyone worked with Kahu Malama? How were the facilities? What kind of bonuses/ benefits/ pay did they have? I am in touch with a recruiter there and I just wanted some advice about the company. I would appreciate any input or advice! Thanks.

they are EXTREMELY unprofessioal and don't seem to value nurses. They WILL low-ball you any way they can. They are also highly aggressive and seem to think this is the way to motivate you to work more shifts. One of their staffers almost has a bully mentality. I recommend steering clear.
There are other agencies that will respect you and treat you well--look before you leap!

[northshore08]

My experience with Kahu Malama has been quite professional. It's the first time I have ever signed up with an agency, and I have been pleased with their help and information. They have had some difficulty getting work for me--they will schedule me for a shift, then call to cancel at 0400-0500. I don't know if other agencies work this way, but I can understand facilities filling spots at the last minute with their own people.
So I continue to check out other possibilities for employment; so far no luck.

[Pualehuanani]

Originally Posted by nurse_misty

Hello!

Has anyone worked with Kahu Malama? How were the facilities? What kind of bonuses/ benefits/ pay did they have? I am in touch with a recruiter there and I just wanted some advice about the company. I would appreciate any input or advice! Thanks.

I have heard that they are not all that good. They get contracts for very low level stuff----flu shots at Long's, etcetera.

[WindwardOahuRN]

Originally Posted by Pualehuanani

I have heard that they are not all that good. They get contracts for very low level stuff----flu shots at Long's, etcetera.

I've heard that they are big on OCCC contracts too. I'm not sure that the big hospitals use them all that much. I think they may do small-kine hospitals---Kahuku, Pali Momi. I have not seen their nurses at the larger facilities.

[northshore08]

Update on my previous post. Kahu Malama was professional, but I can say I never got a shift assignment from them. (I was available for ED or clinic, and called in my availability regularly.) After a couple of weeks of trying, I went on to other things, and recently sent in a resignation. The only work I got from them was a couple of home care checks in my local area, I think because it was convenient for them that I lived near the client.

I have been working fulltime at Pali Momi for several months now, and I have not seen any Kahu nurses that I am aware of; have worked with Nursefinders, Altres, and Island Nurses staff.

My first shift here on O`ahu was through Altres; a correctional shift at Halawa. Very different; I have a lot more respect for correctional nurses after that shift.

[Pualehuanani]

Originally Posted by northshore08

Update on my previous post. Kahu Malama was professional, but I can say I never got a shift assignment from them. (I was available for ED or clinic, and called in my availability regularly.) After a couple of weeks of trying, I went on to other things, and recently sent in a resignation. The only work I got from them was a couple of home care checks in my local area, I think because it was convenient for them that I lived near the client.

I have been working fulltime at Pali Momi for several months now, and I have not seen any Kahu nurses that I am aware of; have worked with Nursefinders, Altres, and Island Nurses staff.

My first shift here on O`ahu was through Altres; a correctional shift at Halawa. Very different; I have a lot more respect for correctional nurses after that shift.

Pali Momi is VERY small,I think only a hundred beds or so, and I don't know if they use all that many agency nurses. So I don't know if your experience at PM would reflect the experience of island nurses as a whole but thank you for your input, Northshore.

I have family that live in Salt Lake and they will not go to the ED at Pali Momi because they know that if they have something life-threatening they will be sent to a higher level facility and would rather just go to that hospital than be put through the turmoil of a transfer. I am not saying that Pali Momi does not do a good job, just that they are limited.

[northshore08]

I did want to post that Kahu Malama has the best booklet I have seen that covers all the facilities--each page lists the times, directions (car and bus) and info re parking, signing in, and other tidbits it is nice to know. I got a lot of use out of that booklet!
The other agencies said, here's the shift, here's when to be there, bbfn! Guess I was supposed to get out the map and call the facility. My first shift at Halawa Correctional, the only thing they told me was "it's at the end of such-&-such road, be there at ***oclock, and don't wear orange." (The inmates don't even wear orange in the facility! The staff nurses were laughing at those instructions!)