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Make Nurses Happy, Some Hospitals Say
Kaiser Permanente offers nurses (and other employees) concierge services to help with dinner reservations, car repairs, mailing packages and dry cleaning pickup, among other services.
Linda Childers | Monster Contributing Writer
Onsite Degree Programs
At Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital in Palo Alto, California, nurses enjoy working in an academic medical center that fosters innovation and puts them on the forefront of cutting-edge research.
Since the medical center is adjacent to Stanford University, nurses enjoy a number of university perks in addition to their standard employment benefits. The Work/Life office helps nurses identify childcare options and offers guidance on elder-care responsibilities and adoption assistance.
Packard also promotes further education by offering onsite master’s- and bachelor’s-degree programs for nurses, tuition reimbursement, scholarships and flexible scheduling to support nurses who want to continue their education.
The hospital introduced a shared governance model in 2006, in which clinical nurses have a voice in determining nursing practice, standards and quality of care.
Making Life Easier
Some hospitals have also started offering more work/life balance options to their nurses.
“We offer a variety of part-time shifts and eight- and 12-hour shifts to better accommodate [nurses’] needs,” says Sharron Hadick, RN, BSN, MPA, nurse recruitment program manager for Packard.
At Kaiser Permanente’s Oakland Medical Center, employees can tap free concierge services for help with dinner reservations, car repairs, mailing packages, catering and event planning, picking up and dropping off dry cleaning, and lawn and garden care. The organization offers the concierge services to all of its 3,000 employees and 300 physicians as a gesture of appreciation.
“If you want to attend a dinner and play in San Francisco after work, the concierge service can make your reservations,” says Kathy Sommese, a clinical nurse supervisor for Kaiser Permanente in Oakland.
Sommese has also taken advantage of the employee health-club membership and tuition benefits. She is currently pursuing her BSN in an online degree program and regularly works out at a fitness club, paying a discounted rate.
“We also get discounted tickets to a number of local attractions,” Sommese says. “I bought tickets to Disneyland at a substantial discount and took my sons there last summer.”
This article was originally published on Monster.com.
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Sylvia321
6 months ago
14 comments
It is true.. i can vouch for that
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neenrn
almost 2 years ago
12 comments
The hospital I work at just changed the clinical ladder and now all of the level III nurses are dropping to level II nurses. In the department I work in 4 nurses have gotten certified (I am already and I have an MSN in nursing education) they have applied to stay level III nurses and none have made it. This is very dishartening for all of us, as well we found a memo that the weekends and and nights were going to lose their differentials. But thank Gods we got magnet status!!!! I have a feeling we will lose our top 5 status after all the older nurses quit and there are nothing but new grads who will buy this nurinsg administrations bullsh*t
hornbuckle
almost 2 years ago
2 comments
I am a hard worker who is rarely absent. Keeps up with the lattest issues and pt care.I need a job.
subership
almost 2 years ago
2 comments
I guess not all jobs are the same! I have a family member who passed this week. He received his care at Yakima. The family is also happy with his care over the past couple of years.
1999diva
almost 2 years ago
14 comments
Nice to know that not all jobs are that hard. I won't mind working in those places some day.
smschaflePHN
almost 2 years ago
38 comments
Good, but disappointing. I was hoping to read about hospitals that give nurses vip treatment when they are in the beds instead of next to the beds. It's been a fantacy of mine to open a retirement home for nurses and give them fabulous care as a reward for all the caring that they have given over the course of their life times. Although the service offered is good, I'd like to see something long range giving nurses something to look forward to when they retire. Doctors make enough money to retire rather nicely, but the nurses...well, you fill in the blanks. Would you like to see a something long term for nurses, too? I'd like to hear your comments. Thanks.
nursekjoe
almost 2 years ago
2 comments
This sounds like Heaven. I have been a nurse for for 27 years and long for the opportunity to be treated with respect and dignity. Recently tried to go into a new job venue and was discharged because I was too positive, helpful, enthusiastic and trying to assist coworkers who were overloaded. What is this nursing world coming to?
Account Removed
about 4 years ago
Now if all hospitals could be like this, nursing would be paradise.
ladycyn12
about 4 years ago
4 comments
I think there heading in the right direction, you have to have a happy and up beat seat too heal. Stressed out nurses are the worst thing to have, for healing patiences. Keep up the great work. Wish other hospitals would follow that lead.
AmbitiousFutureRN
over 4 years ago
52 comments
Smart hospital! Why cant other hospitals follow their lead? I always read stores of nurses who work in crappy hospitals that only care about money and not about their staff or patients. Its sad.
Nicolee
over 4 years ago
42 comments
Wow. Too bad all hospitals cant think aout the nurses likeing theirjobs whether than working there because they have to. They give so many extra's to keep people there, its nice. I would love to work there!
mandietaylor
over 4 years ago
234 comments
Good to know that there are facilities out there taking care of their employees. A good working environment is so important for everyone. I hope that I am blessed enough to find a place where I feel appreciated and wanted, not just another number in a crowd.
gspilswill
over 4 years ago
2 comments
Your programs sounds wonderful. How can I join your team. I am a second year nursing student in Europe and is looking for summer inernship during the months of july and August 2009. Hopefully after I have conpleted my studies, I can be one of the supply that meets your demand.
kstiltner1
over 4 years ago
7172 comments
Great article. But is it too good to be true?