SO.CAL Kaiser Nurses: What is Kaiser Like?

kitten77 · Feb 8, 2006

Hi all!
I am applying for a scholarship (that would cover the bulk of my nursing school tuition) that is being offered though Kaiser Permanente of Southern California. In exchange for the award, I must commit to working for Kaiser for at least two years after graduation. Just wondering if there are any Kaiser nurses out there who would be interested/ willing to offer some insight as to what it is like to work for Kaiser? Do you love it? Hate it? Is this a deal with the devil ?!? What are your shifts like? Ratios? Do you feel your wages are fair?

kitten77 · Feb 8, 2006

I saw your posting the other day and checked with a friend whose wife works at the big "K". She is foreign born & educated with about 10 years of experience (1 year in America). She started on one of the med surg floors for 34 hourly after a few months they increased this to 36. The strongest reason why she loves the K is that they have a strict patient ratio of 4 or 5 to one nurse. The ratio is taken very seriously. She has worked there (I forget is this is Woodland Hills or Panorama city) for just about 7 months. The Kaiser thing is not for me, I am at UCLA Med.

featherzRN, MSN · Feb 9, 2006

I have been with Kaiser for three years and love it. I work in the outpatient clinics, so ratios are not an issue -- however, I hear that the ratios on the floor are very nice - just like anywhere it has good and bad points but the benefits and salary are excellent.

kkettle70 · Feb 10, 2006

Hi Everyone,

I have read so many threads where people seem to think that Kaiser is an excellent place to work. They have even inspired me to possibly try to get a job there when I graduate (Apr. 2007). I have tried to find a somewhat detailed describtion of their benefits, but so far I have not been very successful. I would like to know the starting salary for a new grad at Kaiser and the amount of PDO. But info about any benefits would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

ShemRN · Mar 1, 2006

I think all Kaiser locations must be good EXCEPT Kaiser Sunset (in Hollywood). We did our Peds rotation through there and it was INSANE. One RN actually had to report herself after she battered a parent (no joke - we heard it explained that there's some catch about if you report yourself the penalty isn't the same than if someone else does) Anway, the RNs all fought loudly in the nurses stations, and were overall very unprofessional. I know someone who's worked a long time in the education dept at that specific Kaiser location, and she says she's aware of her hospital's bad rep, but thinks it's just that one.

I was also a pt for many years at that location, and though it wasn't exactly poor service, it wasn't good.

tinyscrafts · Mar 3, 2006

what's the scholarship? or are you keeping it a secret LOL

jenpstudentrn · Mar 4, 2006

Hi all...

Thanks for your responses so far they are all VERY much appreciated.Good to know about the ratios, and the info on the Sunset location. Just found out today that if accepted as a finalist...you must work in inpatient, no outpatient or ER allowed. Which makes sense I guess...

The scholarship is the Kaiser Permanente Nursing Opportunity Award...$25,000 to be used toward tuition, etc. at Mt. St. Mary's for their Accelerated BSN program (which I start in May). I found out I made it to the interview stage (my interview is this coming Thurs) for the scholarship!

I would still love any input...I feel like the more informed I am the better.

-Jennifer

tinyscrafts · Mar 4, 2006

I am a doula and I've attended births at the kaiser on lakeview in anaheim and it's one of my very FAVORITE places to go to. I don't know much about the nurses perspective but they seem happy, unlike other places LOL.

Good luck on the scholarship that' sounds like a sweet deal to me.

jenpstudentrn · Apr 13, 2006

Don't know if anyone is even viewing this thread anymore...but I found out today that I am one of the scholarship recipients! What a HUGE relief! I was getting tired of waiting to hear! I'm very excited, and this will be a big help with tuition. Thanks again for all the info/responses to this thread...In about a year I'll be able to tell you all myself what Kaiser is like!

:balloons:

MSUnurse · Apr 13, 2006

Don't know if anyone is even viewing this thread anymore...but I found out today that I am one of the scholarship recipients! What a HUGE relief! I was getting tired of waiting to hear! I'm very excited, and this will be a big help with tuition. Thanks again for all the info/responses to this thread...In about a year I'll be able to tell you all myself what Kaiser is like!
:balloons:

CONGRATS!!!! That's wonderful news! Looking forward to hearing more about Kaiser as I'm anticipating a move to CA when I graduate in Dec., and haven't made up my mind where I'm going to work. Thinking about Ventura or San Luis Obispo, but Kaiser doesn't have any hospitals there.

Rose:smiley_aa

pickledpepperRN · Apr 13, 2006

don't know if anyone is even viewing this thread anymore...but i found out today that i am one of the scholarship recipients! what a huge relief! i was getting tired of waiting to hear! i'm very excited, and this will be a big help with tuition. thanks again for all the info/responses to this thread...in about a year i'll be able to tell you all myself what kaiser is like!
:balloons:

congratulations!

mount st. mary's is excellent! my experience precepting students in both accelerated, bsn, and adn programs as well as graduates has been impressive.

top quality nurses.

it must be their selection process and education. they seem to have a special kindness.

i know kaiser sunset adult critical care nurses who like it. i;ve worked with them at another hospital. they are competent, kind, hard working nurses who i would trust with my life.