SO.CAL Kaiser Nurses: What is Kaiser Like?

[jenpstudentrn]

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? Are you able to work in your area of interest? How long have you been with Kaiser? Not even really sure what to ask- as I am just a student. Any input is always appreciated! Thanks alot!

-Jennifer

P.S. Sorry if this is a repetitive thread...tried to search past threads, but I never seem to have much luck.. :)

[Sheri257]

They also pay well, not sure about starting out...

I just talked to a Kaiser recruiter for SoCal at our school's recent job fair ... new grad pay is $28 an hour for the Fontana and Riverside facilities. I don't know about other facilities but, it's probably more the closer you get to LA.

I hear their retirement benefits are good but, the recruiter refused to give me any specific info on that ... which was incredibly frustrating. I'll have to keep bugging them for that info.

As far as patient care issues, Kaiser's problems have been well publicized. They are in the unique position of being both insurer and provider so ... there can be conflicts between patient care and the botton line so to speak. But ... you can run into those same conflicts at any hospital.

:typing

[MA Nurse]

I just talked to a Kaiser recruiter for SoCal at our school's recent job fair ... new grad pay is $28 an hour for the Fontana and Riverside facilities. I don't know about other facilities but, it's probably more the closer you get to LA.

I hear their retirement benefits are good but, the recruiter refused to give me any specific info on that ... which was incredibly frustrating. I'll have to keep bugging them for that info.

As far as patient care issues, Kaiser's problems have been well publicized. They are in the unique position of being both insurer and provider so ... there can be conflicts between patient care and the botton line so to speak. But ... you can run into those same conflicts at any hospital.

:typing

My husband works for Kaiser. after 15 years of service in a benefitted position, 50% of your medical coverage is provided after retirement, it goes up and up after that. That's about all I know right now of the top of my head...they do have great benefits.

At his hospital the benefitted nurses get double time and a half per hour on holidays, same for working 3 weekends in a row, too. They get free meals for working a double shift, too. A lot of nice things are done for nurses.

[blonde-joy]

Hello!

I am planning to work in Kaiser Woodland Hills Med Surg floor as an RN, although I have to drive cause I live in Ventura. I am wondering what's their working condition in that hospital. Are they following the ratio? How fast is their transition like with discharges and admits. I hear they pay good too!

[peaceful]

Do you know where one goes to work per diem at Kaiser Woodland Hills. Are there certain per diem companies that send to K? Thanks.

[MA Nurse]

Do you know where one goes to work per diem at Kaiser Woodland Hills. Are there certain per diem companies that send to K? Thanks.

Kaiser hires their own per diem nurses.

[NEC1]

I have worked for Southern CA. Kaiser for 28 years. I have stayed that long because I am proud of our system of care. I have had the opportunity to work in different specilaties and progressive levels. We are paid well, the patient ratio is 5:1 on Med-Surg, the benefits are better than most organizations. There are many educational/benefit opportunities. Kaiser is unionized and we also have a Labor-Management Partnership. This means an opportunity to have a voice in your nursing practice. Also, if you leave one Kaiser and go to another (even in another state) you take your seniority with you. No organization is perfect but overall Kaiser Permanente is a good place to work.

Good luck in your career.

[salsaking]

I'm not a RN at Kaiser but I have been working with the company for 5 years and I have nothing but great things to say about it.

[fishchick72]

As a kaiser patient in the past I hated kaiser, I did not receive proper care from them & this consisted of 4 different locations.

As a student nurse I did a rotation in Kaiser Fontana & what I saw the majority of the time was that money was their main priority, not the patient. I have to say I don't like those standards & because of that I would never work for Kaiser (that & the fact that I would then have kaiser insurance & be a kaiser pt again).

[NEC1]

I am truly sorry that you have had bad experiences with Kaiser. I work and have been a pt. at Kaiser San Diego and have had positive experiences. I hope you have found a good place to work and receive care.

NEC1

[Shantas]

I work for Kaiser. Pay is great but the work load is heavy. Benefits are excelent. I heared many bad things about Fontana Kaiser, both from the nurses and the patients.

I also worked in other hospitals per-diem. The bottom line is most of the hospitals are the same....heavy work load.

[Faeriewand, ASN, RN]

As a member of Kaiser in San Diego I think pt's are well treated. As a nursing student I've done clinical rotations there and all our students love it. Think it is the best place to do clinicals. I just finished ER and it was amazing! I'm just itching to get in at Kaiser and work there! They pay great and the nurses all tell me they love it. Each one said that they wish they had started out with Kaiser!. :)

[brissygal, BSN, RN]

CONGRATULATIONS JENPSTUDENTRN on obtaining your scholarship! Hats off to you. :) Well done!