Working at kaiser

Kuriin, BSN, RN · May 29, 2018

Per diem starting pay for new grads: ~$73/hr

Benefited starting pay for new grads: ~ $65/hr

It's a good company to work for. Obviously has its ups and downs. They say its a not for profit when we all know it is. Yes you can switch departments after 6 months via internal transfer as it is all based off of seniority.

For evenings, you get $5 differential. For nights you get I think $10 differential. No differential for weekends. You get 2.5x pay for holidays. You get 1.5x pay for OT and then double time for anything over 14 hours (I believe).

phantasybm · May 30, 2018

How do you get into Kaiser as a new grad? I've been searching for an open position in southern california and have not seen a single new gra dprogram offered by kaiser. There's literally one down the street from me in Downey and yet every time I check online theres nothing

Kuriin, BSN, RN · May 30, 2018

The new grad positions are going to be listed as Staff Nurse I/II/Interim Permit. You may sometimes see as "New grad program", but it's generally the former.

phantasybm · May 30, 2018

Hmm everything I see with staff nurse I says:

1-year recent (within the last 3 years) full-time equivalent experience in _____, or successful completion of a KP ____ course or approved equivalent within prior 12 months.

I've been looking for weeks and never see anything that doesn't include this.

nursinglove30 · Jun 3, 2018

Hello, I keep hearing that PRN jobs in California pays really well. instead of doing travel nursing, you would go in for 4 days in a month and pretty much work and manage with airbnb, cheap flights and uber. I am still a student but interested in this once I graduate and gain experience. Can I ask you what the pay range for PRN nurses in california is like? what are the differentials for working nights and weekends? how is the likelihood of getting canceled on shifts?

amzyRN · Jun 3, 2018

PRN rates for nurses in CA are like 85-100 per hour, no benefits though unless (in some cities-not sure if it's state wide)-if you work 30 hrs per week the company has to provide health insurance. I knew a nurse who did that worked a little more than 30 hours per week got health benefits and the per diem rate. I think it's the way to go honestly and once I've brushed up on my ED skills plan to do per diem at a few different hospitals. I think it's totally worth it if you like flexibility with scheduling.

nursinglove30 · Jun 4, 2018

PRN rates for nurses in CA are like 85-100 per hour, no benefits though unless (in some cities-not sure if it's state wide)-if you work 30 hrs per week the company has to provide health insurance. I knew a nurse who did that worked a little more than 30 hours per week got health benefits and the per diem rate. I think it's the way to go honestly and once I've brushed up on my ED skills plan to do per diem at a few different hospitals. I think it's totally worth it if you like flexibility with scheduling.

Thank you for answering. In my case, I would be coming out of state and probably work 4 shifts in a pay period and 0 shift in the next pay period due to maintaining a full time job where I live (East Coast). Also is it true that California requires employers to pay 1.5 for any shifts worked over 8 hours in a day?

phantasybm · Jun 4, 2018

No California doesn't require OT pay after 8 hours or every nurse would be making crazy money out here.

guest769224 · Jun 4, 2018

Also is it true that California requires employers to pay 1.5 for any shifts worked over 8 hours in a day?

I have also heard this before, and I am not sure if that is true or not. Hospitals in the Bay Area tend to do 8 hour shifts instead of 12 hour.

Also, be aware, California hospitals usually require a year or two of experience to be a competitive applicant. However, I have the same aspirations you do, in flying to CA and working per diem. I hope it works out for you.

Kuriin, BSN, RN · Jun 4, 2018

You will be paid OT after 8 hours IF you are working an 8 hour shift. Many hospitals have 12 hour shifts, so you will not get OT until after 12.

--Note, I currently work for Kaiser. It is by contract that you work ~4 shifts a month (one weekend) as an "On-Call". You are also #1 to be canceled or floated as PRN. HOWEVER...the flexibility of being able to work multiple facilities at a high pay grade and going on vacation whenever you want is phenomenal.

if you work 30 hrs per week the company has to provide health insurance.

Wrong. You will NEVER get benefits as a PRN, unless you pay out of pocket. My first job at Kaiser (new grad) was PRN and I regularly worked 40-80 hours a week. You get no health insurance, no vacation, no holiday pay (except for 1.5 instead of 2.5).

nursinglove30 · Jun 4, 2018

You will be paid OT after 8 hours IF you are working an 8 hour shift. Many hospitals have 12 hour shifts, so you will not get OT until after 12.
--Note, I currently work for Kaiser. It is by contract that you work ~4 shifts a month (one weekend) as an "On-Call". You are also #1 to be canceled or floated as PRN. HOWEVER...the flexibility of being able to work multiple facilities at a high pay grade and going on vacation whenever you want is phenomenal.
Wrong. You will NEVER get benefits as a PRN, unless you pay out of pocket. My first job at Kaiser (new grad) was PRN and I regularly worked 40-80 hours a week. You get no health insurance, no vacation, no holiday pay (except for 1.5 instead of 2.5).

Thanks for the detail answer. I will need to weight the pros and cons if I do decide to go this route.