comparing LA hospitals

MerkNurse · Oct 22, 2013

Hi,

I am currently on assignment at Kaiser. They asked me to extend my contract after being here 6 weeks. Kaiser is a wonderful organization that takes pride in being cutting edge when it comes to it's members. The staff here are traveler friendly.

I have been on travel assignments all over California, and I find this the best assignment by far.

Good luck on traveling!

BluntForceTrauma · Oct 22, 2013

With Kaiser, you either hate it or love it. With that being said, I haven't heard anything good about them.

NedRN · Oct 22, 2013

No doubt it is too late for your decision, but I'd like to add this about Kaiser. The main reason why travelers often dislike them is that they often float travelers, as much as every four hours. Much of this is structural, most travelers work 12 hours, and most staff work 8 hours. Do the math and you can see why this happens. So you do have to be super organized if you have a complete set of new patients every 4 hours. But it will make you a better nurse for sure. Some can't adapt and are kicked out.

Personally, I love Kaiser. But I work in the OR, and while my assignment can certainly change with no notice in any hospital, I do only have one patient at a time. So it is easier than a nurse with multiple patients. Like any California hospital, Kaiser observes strict staffing ratios, and did so before the staffing law went into effect.

21strawberry · Oct 22, 2013

Thank you all for your responses! I heard the same about the frequency with which Kaiser will float a traveler. And while I agree, Ned, that this could only make me a better nurse, I'm going to start with CHLA since it's my first assignment and I've had 3 months off! I hear they are traveler-friendly as well...here's hoping! Again, thank you all for taking the time to comment, much appreciated.