Kaiser Permanente pays some of the highest nurse wages in Northern California. That’s why so many nurses want in, and why getting your foot in the door can be hard.
These 14 tips can help you stand out. None of them is a sure thing, but together they give you a better shot.
Timing and connections
1. Know when Kaiser hires
Kaiser often hires in waves, based on budgets and how many staff each unit needs. When you apply can make a big difference.
Try to apply just before the new budget year starts, which is usually in January. Mid-year is another good time, when units look at their budgets again. Managers may have fresh money to hire then.
Keep in mind that it can take months to hear back. Be patient and keep applying.
2. Get a referral
A referral from someone inside can move you up the pile. Get to know nurses who work at Kaiser now.
Go to nursing events, join local nursing groups or reach out on LinkedIn. A referral from a staff member can help you get seen.
3. Join Kaiser’s Talent Network
Sign up for the Talent Network on Kaiser’s job site. You’ll get alerts when new jobs open up that match your skills.
Your resume and skills
4. Match your resume to Kaiser’s values
Kaiser cares a lot about putting patients first and keeping whole towns healthy. Shape your resume and cover letter around that.
Show any work you’ve done in public health, speaking up for patients or working as a team.
5. Get to know Epic
Kaiser uses one main charting system, and knowing it can set you apart. That system is often Epic. You can take online courses on it. If you know Epic, say so.
6. Add certifications for your unit
Special skills help you stand out. Get the cards that fit the unit you want, like ACLS, PALS or NIH Stroke Scale for critical care. It shows you’re ready to help from day one.
7. Show off your languages
Northern California is very diverse. If you speak a second language, especially Spanish or Mandarin, put it on your resume and bring it up in interviews.
Speaking Spanish can be a huge help with patients, so don’t skip this one.
8. Make your resume pass the ATS
Kaiser uses software called an ATS to sort resumes. Get your resume written or checked by a pro so it has the right key words and layout.
You can hire a resume writer on sites like Fiverr. An ATS-friendly resume has a better chance of reaching a person.
Where to apply
9. Look at less popular locations
Some Kaiser sites get fewer people applying. Apply in smaller cities, suburbs or places that cost too much for most middle-class Americans.
San Francisco, Redwood City and San Jose are some of the easiest places to get in. That’s because they’re some of the most costly cities to live in California.
Once you’re in the Kaiser system, you can transfer inside it after six months. No extra interview is needed.
10. Think about per diem or temporary roles
A flexible job can lead to a full-time one. Per diem and short-term jobs help you get your foot in the door and show managers what you can do.
11. Use platforms like Incredible Health
Sites like Incredible Health match nurses with hospitals that fit what they want. We’ve coached several nurses who got more than one job offer within 1 to 2 weeks through this service.
Incredible Health’s motto is to find a nurse a job within 14 to 21 days. Sites like this can speed things up. They put you in touch with managers who are hiring now.
12. Give back in your community
Giving back fits Kaiser’s mission. Help out at local health fairs or free clinics. It builds your skills and shows you care about the same things Kaiser does.
The interview and after
13. Practice for behavior questions
Kaiser’s interviews often ask how you acted in past cases to see if you’re a good fit. Practice the STAR method: Situation, Task, Action, Result. Have clear stories ready that show how you solve problems, work in a team and adapt.
Before you meet the hiring manager, you’ll do a video interview on HireVue. You talk to a computer, not a live person. You can use MockQuestions to practice.
14. Follow up the right way
A short note keeps you on their mind. Send a thank-you email after your interview. Say you still want the job and how you can help the team.
Be patient with the process
A job at Kaiser can do a lot for your career and your money goals. These tips help you show up strong.
It may take time and a lot of tries. The rewards can be worth it: higher pay, better work-life balance and room to grow.
Before you apply, see what Kaiser pays with our free Kaiser pay spreadsheet. You can also compare Kaiser pay in NorCal vs SoCal and look at the highest-paying hospitals for nurses.
Your next move
See what you’d take home, then make the move
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The Nurses to Riches Accelerator is the plan Monica and I used to go from $37 an hour in New York to $143 an hour in California: license, city, hospital, and what to do with the money after.
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Written by Jason, RN. I went from $37 an hour in New York to $143 an hour in California and paid off $128K of debt in under a year. I share our numbers in the Nurses to Riches newsletter and on YouTube.