Cancel Your Contract?

Spiderella · Dec 7, 2008

I don't really understand your question. Do you have a contract already and want to leave? Or are you thinking of signing up with a Kaiser travel contract, but you aren't sure whether it's worth it...? Kaiser treats their travelers really, really bad, one of the worst of all places I've been to. There are other hospitals in Southern Cali, you just might have to wait longer than you planned. Personally, I would avoid taking a Kaiser contract...but if you already took it...then I guess u just have to tough it out.

jamonit · Dec 7, 2008

To clarify, no i have not taken any contracts. I have just been speaking with recruiters about my options this January in L.A. I was just wondering if Kaiser is really as bad as their rep--at the Panorama City, West Los Angeles, or Bellflower locations.

I'm a Progressive Care Unit/tele/transplant/step-down nurse and this would be my first travel assignment. I work at a very cushy hospital right now so I know Kaiser would be a culture shock.

No recruiters seem to have UCLA or USC openings at this time.....

I'm just frustrated.

Spiderella · Dec 7, 2008

Well, I wouldn't let your recruiter talk you into anything you didn't want to do. I worked for Kaiser as a staff nurse, and saw firsthand how bad the travel nurses are treated. You're like a piece of meat, get the worst schedules, and most hospitals do 8 hr shifts, so doing 12s, you end up with multiple assignments as they use you to fill the holes.

I wanted to go to Southern Cali too, and actually interviewed for the Bellflower & P City locations, but they couldn't fit the dates I wanted off.

There are a bunch of other locations...sure it might be off the beaten path, and not in LA or SD proper, but don't settle unless u are sure that's where you want to be. I don't know any nurses that work out there right now, but Kaiser has a bad rap...and they rightfully deserve it.

jamonit · Dec 7, 2008

Well, upon further research, I am actually quite frightened to have only Kaiser hospitals recommended by my recruiters. I specifically stated that "I've heard bad things about Kaiser facilities and would like to avoid them" and yet they are only feeding me Kaiser deals. I told them which hospitals I was interested in, and they all said "no openings at those facilities." How can that be?:icon_roll

I don't know what to think. Maybe it's a sign I should wait it out....

Being miserable for 3 months and being in an unsafe setting doesn't sound worth it.

wanderlust99 · Dec 8, 2008

Why are your recruiters even recommended Kaiser facilities?? Yea...I would hold out until you can find another job. Try another company/recruiter if you can.

jamonit · Dec 8, 2008

i have no idea why i keep hitting the kaiser wall.

there has to be more out there.

i'm just nervous to start, make the move. partly because the economy

and the cancelling of contracts, but mainly because i've lived in the

same city my whole life....

i just know that kaiser isn't the way out of town. and my legitimate recruiters

ought to quit recommending it as such.:icon_roll

may2kd · Dec 9, 2008

If you really don't want to work for Kaiser, and that's all your company is feeding you...look at other companies. Your company may not have deals with all the hospitals that offer travel contracts. I definitely wouldn't settle for a contract that I don't want especially when you specifically said you don't want to work for Kaiser.

Creamsoda, ASN, RN · Dec 9, 2008

Im in Kaiser west LA right now. Unfortunately im kind of blinded and i dont know what "normal" is. Im from Canada, and we do things different all around. I am working the critical care unit at Kaiser, but I get floated to step down and tele. I actually like step down and tele a lot more. Its been bearable on those units for me. Kaiser is trying to hire lots of CCU travel nurses because they are trying to expand their CCU beds. Unfortunately I hate pretty much everything here. I dont know if its just because its different than Canada, or if im just getting a bad deal with assignments. I detest the computer system they use, but im catchin on, but I still really hate the system. The floating is fine. I dont mind floating as long as I work the entire shift on 1 unit, and so far, that hasent been an issue. I would be really interested to know what people mean when they say that Kaiser treats their travelers poorly, as I honestly dont know if im being treated good or not. Someone can PM me if they want to clarify that! I would be interested to know if they are notorious for firing people on the spot when people fail pop quizzes? It surprised me so much when it happened when I was orientating!!

caliotter3 · Dec 9, 2008

I second the suggestion to look for another recruiting company if you have told your current recruiter you do not want to consider Kaiser and yet they only give you Kaiser assignments. Recruiters sometimes think that if they keep repeating something that they can wear you down and get you to meet their needs rather than your own needs. Good luck finding something suitable.

caliotter3 · Dec 9, 2008

Personally, I would never work again for any facility that gave me a pop quiz after I had already been found acceptable. Pre employment skills testing is supposed to happen upon hire, not any old time somebody wants to jerk you around just because they don't want to pay a completion bonus.

highlandlass1592, BSN, RN · Dec 10, 2008

Okay, so apparently for January, if you want to travel to Southern California, Kaiser Permanente is one of the only tickets.... and believe you me, I have contacted many, many recruiters.
Well, seems like that is my only ticket--and a crappy one at that. Has anyone done time at Kaiser West L.A, Bellflower, or Panorama City? If so, have you heard that a lot of travelers are still having random cancellations/pop quizes to weed people out?
I don't know what to do...suffer with Kaiser and walk on egg shells to try to maintain a contract or just wait it out....
advice?

Definitely chech with other agencies. I do know however, that some areas in CA are getting tight with traveler jobs. So, if this a first time assignment for you, you may be better sitting tight where you are for a bit. There are a lot of travelers with contracts being cancelled/unable to get new contracts due to demand being down. I don't know this is the best time to try to strike out and hit the road. Good luck whatever you decide.