Oakland CA

angel4gramma · Jan 13, 2010

Not sure about Oakland but the San Fran area is great. I stayed in Hercules and it was okay. I wish I liked my contract better so I could have stayed. I might go back to a different hospital.

gmw1975 · Jan 13, 2010

Oakland is actually a pretty scary place. It's considered by most to be Northern California's biggest ghetto, and the worst NorCal city for crime. The only positive about it is that it is the Bay Area so pay rates are usually good there. But, that's seriously about the only good thing about Oakland. There is an area they call the "Oakland Hills" which is a really upscale area, but I highly doubt there's be rental housing there. If they try and find you housing anywhere else in Oakland, do yourself a favor and do not take it. If you do take the job there, I HIGHLY recommend staying in one of cities that's relatively close, but much much safer. About 20 miles east of Oakland, there's Concord and Walnut Creek which are both pretty nice (Walnut Creek is preferred if you can get it). The Bay Area freeways get really congested during heavy commuter times, so if you work days, you may want to consider riding BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) into work. To sum up, you should be ok, as long as you only have to go into Oakland for work. If you drive in, make sure your gas tank is full before you head to work so you won't need to stop and fill up.....I seriously wouldn't recommend stopping ANYWHERE in Oakland. If you have any more questions about the Bay Area or Sacramento, just let me know. I grew up right smack dab in the middle of the two. =) Good luck!

Seriousli82 · Jan 16, 2010

WOW! Im sorry but I did not think Oakland was THAT bad. I had an assignment at Kaiser Oakland last year with AMerican Mobile. My housing was in the area called "the hills" of Oakland, off of Keller Ave. It is true an area of east oakland is dangerous but I found the area I lived in and my housing was nice and very safe. It was a gated apartment complex. I also use to go down to downtown Oakland by myself and they have a great nightlife scene. Lots of professionals I met. There are unfortunately some crack addicts, but they seemed harmless to me, the most harm they do is ask for money. Kaiser wasn't horrible but not great either, I did think most of the staff were helpful. It is true that you float frequently, 2-3 times a shift. If you're luckly you won't float at all. I personally loved Oakland and the entire bay area, I would definitely go again! If I had a choice of hospital, I wouldn't work Kaiser.

icu_nursie76 · Jan 19, 2010

I have to agree with Seriousli82!!! Currently I am on assignment at Kaiser Richmond and I love Oakland. I go to an AWESOME farmers market every Sunday @ Jack London Square.

Piedmont St is very eclectic with great lil restaurants and cafes!!!! I think any area can be dangerous!!! You have to be careful and aware of your surroundings everywhere!!!!!

wanderlust99 · Jan 19, 2010

Oakland has a pretty bad rap & there are parts of Oakland that are very scary!! But, otherwise it's a good place to live..close to SF (which is the best city in CA IMO) and the residents of Oakland love their city. Just don't go in the bad parts of town. And I doubt you will be housed in the ghetto.

I would absolutely take a job in Oakland & I live in the bay area right now. I have friends who live in Oakland & love it. I told my recruiter I would, but the only position right now is Kaiser & I'm just too scared to go to one of their hospitals...but it sounds like you know about all of that.

ernurse16 · Feb 11, 2010

I worked there.... personally I thought the hospital was awful but then I have worked 3 Kaiser facilities and feel they are all bad. Oakland is quite dangerous with a very high crime rate. I hated the assignment and will never go back there again. Oh.... the housing wasn't bad down by Jack London Square but you really can't go anywhere at night because of the crime.

GalRN · Feb 11, 2010

I've been at the psych hospital that covers Alameda County. I stayed in Emeryville and am about to go to Berkeley for the rest of the contract. The company housing in Oakland was waaay too expensive so I took the stipend and went to my sister's in San Fran. 2 hours to cross the Bridge and get to San Leandro where I'm based. Berkley is north but on the freeway at least. It seems from watching the local news that most of the crime in the area is not in Oakland. There was a drive by a mile from the place I was at in Emeryville but the same night there was a home invasion/ murder in my sisters neighborhood- considered very safe. You see all types in the public trans. Maybe my weirdo detector is off kilter b/c of where I work....

Spiderella · Feb 21, 2010

I worked at the Oakland Kaiser. It was really shabby and dingy, but since then they have moved across the street to their new building which is much better. Most of the nurses do 8 hour shifts, so for your 12 hour shift, you will have 2 assignments, and get floated at least once. Your first hours are a filler shift, and then you might get floated somewhere else. Besides that, it's tolerable. I've worked other Kaisers as well, and I would give this one a 6/7 out of 10.

I recommend living in Alameda. It's just around the corner from Oakland, but really pretty, and generally safer. Stay away from East Oakland period. But Jack London square, piedmont etc. are really nice and generally safe during normal hours. Lake Merritt is quite lovely too.

Oakland has alot of culture and beauty. But you have to look past the hard edges of it's reputation to find it.

re-vitalize-getaways · Sep 17

The area has been gentrifying slowly but surely. Just stay on the east side of broadway. Piedmont ave, Grand Lake, Lakeshore are all great areas. It's still a big city to so in terms of safety be prudent and don't leave anything in your car.

If you're looking for housing I have a few places available that are a close drive and can provide privacy in a studio or one bedroom. I also have larger places with 2-4 bedrooms available. Let me know if I can help you