I currently work at a Kindred in the midwest area. I was hired in 2008. I was a nurse on days (12hr shifts) for 2 years, before being promoted to case manager in 2010 then I worked that for 2yrs. And just 6 months ago, I resigned from that position and took a nursing position for night shifts.
With that being said, I'll mention the positives and the negatives, but remember this is my experience with one Kindred location.
Positives: If you are looking for experience, you will definitely get it here. It may be tough for a new grad though. Although, I've only been a nurse since 2007, I had already worked at three different hospitals, trying to find my niche. But I digress....Anywho, experience....Complex wound care including negative pressure therapy, trach to vent pts, paraplegics and quads requiring complete care, TPN, gtubes, pscyh pts who are combative....all in one shift! (no joke this was my assignment just a few hrs ago). Next positive: Opportunities to move up within the company. On day I came to work and I was assigned to the ICU, although I am not ACLS certified....how fun! Also, I became a case manager with no experience and almost became the director of the dept. Next positive: For the most part, my co-workers are pretty cool. There is a Kindred family. Next positive: Best hourly rate in my short lived nursing career and OT is plentiful.
Now the negatives: The equipment is VERY outdated and the buildings are old and in dire need of repair. High nurse to pt ratio. 8 pts max for an RN; 10 pts for an LPN. 1% annual salary increase. No match for the 401k. Expensive health insurance. (but they will give you a bag or umbrella with their logo.) And if you take a different position, you will have the same pay. (hourly pays more than salary. With shift differentials for working weekends, nights and OT.. which is not an option with salary.) POLITICS, POLITICS, POLITICS. And is it really safe to have a nurse working in the ICU who is NOT ACLS certified?
That's it in a nutshell. I tried to keep it short.
May 28, '12 by pgnurse79I currently work at a Kindred in the midwest area. I was hired in 2008. I was a nurse on days (12hr shifts) for 2 years, before being promoted to case manager in 2010 then I worked that for 2yrs. And just 6 months ago, I resigned from that position and took a nursing position for night shifts.
May 28, '12 by outrunningzombiesDon't discount the interview you have for a "real" new grad internship. As a new grad, I cannot emphasize enough any support you'll get. I've heard some bad stories about our local Kindreds (tough patients, difficult ratios, lack of support or experienced nurses) but I'm in a different area than you.