Travel assignment in Santa Clara - Kaiser

EmergencyNrse · Nov 28, 2010

It's a brand new facility. Modern. Clean.

I helped them move patients from the old facility back in '07

with AMR.

It's still working with Kaiser. They aren't the best in the way they treat travelers. Sometimes pretty brutal. Kinda depends on where you work.

Look for housing over in the DeAnza area when you go. Safer.

San Jose/Sunnyvale isn't the best area and that hospital is right there on the edge of a couple ghettos. (Better than Palo Alto but still...)

Good luck and have fun. CalTrain can run you into San Fran in about an hour.

No parking there so don't drive out there. Just take a bike. Time of your life. Fun area.

maverik09 · Nov 28, 2010

Thanks for the information, I'll actually be out there without my fiance, who is also a nurse, hoping just to work. So, although I assume the area is probably pretty fun, I can't say that I'll be really enjoying all of the major benefits. I have heard horror stories about Kaiser, but I can't say that anyone has given me anything specific. I guess this will be my shot and I'll see how it goes. It's CVICU, but I've been warned that I'll be floated to ICU, step down, and tele. It'll be in my contract that I won't float to anywhere besides those areas, and I'm thinking of putting in a clause that I won't float more than once a night, simply because I've heard that some travelers float multiple times a shift. I'm really not ok with that; floating, I'm ok with, floating multiple times with multiple patients, it's just poor continuity of care.

rnerin · Dec 1, 2010

I worked at the old Kaiser Santa Clara in 2004-it was an odd system.........I actually had a decent experience, after my initial "*****!", but I know everyone doesn't with Kaisers. If you haven't already signed your contract and the distance isn't too far, look into Good Samaritan (in San Jose, south of Santa Clara)-smallish hospital, 2 ICUs-Medical and CV/CCU. I was assigned to the CV/CCU-floated to Medical quite a few times (which was no big deal) and had to float twice to the stepdown/telemetry unit (but they stopped that practice shortly after I started there in 2007). I had a good experience-nice people, opportunities for OT (which was the same for Kaiser, at that time). Another hospital with whom I interviewed, but did not work is El Camino (in Mountainview)-it supposedly has a pretty good reputation.........

That area is great-within 2-3 hours (and closer!) driving distance of tons of things to see and do!! Have fun and good luck!!

grish3 · Jul 3, 2011

I was recently offered an interview with Kaiser Santa Clara CVICU, interview is on Tuesday. Did you accept the assignment and if so, how was it?

hkLD5150 · Jul 4, 2011

My friend works for Kaiser and loves it......but I think it's a different experience staff vs. travelers! Let me know how you like it as a traveler......I have received a few calls about jobs at Kaiser, a little nervous!!

maverik09 · Jul 5, 2011

My dad hurt his knee right after I had posted this and before I accepted the job, we thought he was going to have surgery so I had to decline the position. Good luck to you though, sorry I couldn't be of more assistance, please write back though and fill us in on your experience for future travelers.

hkLD5150 · Jul 7, 2011

I have a "pre interview" with them on Monday.....I heard once you have worked at a Kaiser you are able to go to other Kaisers, which is nice.....job security! I hope everything is ok with you dad!