Kaiser Permanante ??

I dont work there but i'mm sure you will hear from pple that works there but what i heard about them is that it is very competitive getting hired there.

I work for Kaiser...of all the hospitals I've worked for, they have the best long term benefits. Medical is 100% free, with only a $5 max copay per visit. Your spouse, domestic partner, his/her kids, step kids, other family members living with you, parents in the same region are all covered for health care. If you work there for 30 years, you get free medical for the rest of your life for you and your family. The pay is very good, they are Unionized so nursing ratios are at a good level per unit. If you go to any Kaiser, you keep your pay grade/ years of service as long as you've worked for them for 6 months. Other benefits include a bonus corporate plan for movie tickets, trips, gym memberships, cell phones etc. The patient population is very nice to work with, most are hardworking educated individuals with caring families.

The Bad: They have set schedules with very little flexibility. You have to fit into the niche of hours/days that is pre-carved for you and those are your hours. Most units only do 8 hour shifts so you are there almost every day. They have alot of processes/paperwork that are redundant and I feel like I spend more time charting than at any place I've ever worked. They haven't computerized majority of their systems, so things like lab runs, faxing to pharmacy, going to pharmacy to pick up drugs etc. are still in existence. Nursing is the primary care giver, they are on a hiring freeze for CNAs so you are stuck doing alot of vitals/dressings/bathes etc. This is so much of what eats up your day.

Getting into there isn't that difficult...the process is tedious though. They are always looking for good nurses. The best bet is to personally meet a manager/recruiter. It took me 2 months from my interview date to hire date...it's a long wait at some of the hospitals.

I haven't been to Kaiser Portland but I plan on transferring there in November. Hope that helps.

lHi ladies and gentleman! I'm new here, but I am currently an LPN at Kaiser and I LOVE IT!
A lot of people have complaints and horror stories, but I think the hardest thing is customer access, it stinks! But they are constantly working to improve it! But if you get the chance, apply, try it, you have a 30 day trial, I think it is, and see if you like it! Let me know if I can do anything to help you!
JOLPN 2007

I like to mention, as if everyone doesn't already know - CNA and kaiser have a long standing antagonistic relationship.

I'm interested in Kaiser because of their coverage. I was born in a Kaiser (thanks to my dads wonderful benefits) and I will probably die at a Kaiser. I've never had a problem getting any appointments or referrals. They don't hire directly into the OR though, so I might start off somewhere else.

Thanks that info was very helpful. I was accepted for their loan forgiveness program and will work for them for at least 2 years. I have not had a clinical rotation there yet so I’m a bit apprehensive since I made such a big commitment to them. I will be starting my Labor and Delivery rotation there in 2 weeks so I am anxious to get in there and see how I like it.

I do have a question about the benefits……..I saw you said parents are covered. Do I have to have one of parents living with me for them to qualify? Do they have to somehow be my dependent?

Hi Liz520,

Can you tell me a little bit more about their loan forgiveness program? I'll be starting nursing school next month, but am looking for ways to ease the burden of my student loans I'll need to take out. Is this something I can apply for right now or do I need to wait until I'm an RN? Thanks for any insight....

I lucked out with this one. My nursing school has a special program set up with Kaiser so this loan forgiveness program is limited to just my nursing school in San Diego. I do know however they have had other loan forgiveness opportunities in the past; this is what I think they have currently (looks like its just for CA, not sure what state you are in): http://xnet.kp.org/pcs/sfap/progoverview.html . Kaiser is pretty generous with paying for employees’ tuition. I had 2 clinical instructors who also worked for Kaiser and were pursuing their PhD’s, Kaiser was giving them money for school and time off to study!

The government has a loan forgiveness programs if you agree to work at hospital that is medically underserved. http://bhpr.hrsa.gov/nursing/loanrepay.htm. I think the state of California has a similar program; at leas they did a year or two ago when I was looking. You may also want to do a search on allnurses.com; I seen a number of threads about financial aide. Your school’s financial aide department may also have info specifically for nursing students.