kaiser?

There's a waiting list to get into Kaiser because they're a unionized hospital with highly desirable benefits and perks.

I find this hard to believe. Especially since they have SO MANY nursing vacancies advertised on their website.

Kaiser invites lots of applicants for positions. It allows them to pick the 'best of the best'. Can't say they always get it right but in theory it is a good idea.

Does anyone know if the Kaiser hospitals require PBDS testing?

I few things I want to say about Kaiser here.

I have an interview for Kaiser next week. Kaiser's pay is about average. I don't see how they pay better.

I will have interview with Kaiser Oakland. I heard Oakland is a rough area. That makes me worry.

Is it a good idea to ride BART from Kaiser Oakland to Fremont? or drive there?

Rebecca

I find this hard to believe. Especially since they have SO MANY nursing vacancies advertised on their website.

I'm sure it varies depending on where you live but ... Kaiser does have better than average pay and benefits in my area. And I have personally seen them be very picky when it comes to hiring new grads.

Ive heard it differs from Kaiser to Kaiser. The Kaiser here in San Diego is fantastic.

All The Kaiser facilities in Northern CA are under the same union contract. A new 5 year contract was just signed that will pay every nurse in the area the same salary structure. That being said, it would be wise to avoid the "high cost of living areas". CNA negotiated probably the best contract in the nation.

I'm not sure if you're still looking for a response but...

my mom and aunts work for kaiser in socal. They have really good benefits for your family. I don't know the difficulty of getting hired. I do know that when my mom first moved here from texas she started work at a different hospital because either she wasn't hired at kaiser or she was still waiting for a response for them. But not too long after..maybe a couple of months..she was accepted. I think it also depends on your experience and what department you want to get into. My mom originally wanted to get into the dialysis department because she's had years of experience in that but there wasn't too much of a need at the time so she was accepted into medsurg since she's had experience in that as well. Anyway, good luck with applying! From my mom's and aunts experience the feedback is very positive about working for Kaiser.

I agree that Kaiser is a good place for RNs, especially since their excellent contract was negotiated.

The pay is excellent, and my experiences with them have impressed me. I have had dealings with them from 2 sides: patient, and for 5 years as a "contract" RN Home Health Case manager. I think their doctors' attitudes tend to be healthier and more "nurse-friendly" than the average private care MD.

I also think they can be very innovative, while delivering high-quality care & taking reasonable measures to control costs.

Anyway, that's my 2 cents - and of course I know many won't agree, due to different experiences.

Heard that you work your butt off in kaiser hospitals.

I've never found a nursing job where I didn't work my butt off (& believe me, I've tried).