[purplesdk]

Hi,

Will be starting a new job in a new nursing home/LTC facility this week as their new ADON/MDS coordinator, and would like some helpful tips/hints to making the transition from a RN Charge Nurse to ADON/MDS coordinator. Also, any sites for addtional information and education for these new positions would be helpful. Any and all advise welcome.

enguin: Thanks.

[anaknisupernurse]

Ma'am I really appreciate the fact that you are trying to find ways to ease your transition into the ADON position. I often wonder what training, if any, is given to someone new to this leadership position. A co-worker graduated from RN school(was LPN before) and jumped into the DON position weeks later. And it was not as seemless as it could be. She had all these ideas and didn't want to listen to anybody else. Sigh.

[CapeCodMermaid]

I've been an MDS coordinator for a 142 bed facility and have been (and am) an ADNS at that facility and one other. With the number and turnover of medicare patients there is no way the MDS coordinator could have been the ADNS,and with all the work and responsibilities I have as ADNS, there is no way I could do the MDS job justice. I hope your job will be doable. With everything in nursing,you'll have to find your priorities and organize, organize, organize! Good luck

[catlady]

Good luck. You're going to need it.

Have you actually done MDS before?

[Nurse_Pauline]

I have to say, the types of jobs that the mds co. and the adns are, the responsabilities they encompass, i cant imagine them being together. Im not sure of the amount of beds at the facility, if they have subacute or ltc? If there is a case manager? Ect ect ect. Doing both jobs for even a small facility i think would be overwhelming for any nurse.

[purplesdk]

Thank you for all the well wishes. To clarify, I will either be the adon or the mds co. The nurse who was the mds co. is away on vacation and she had been offered the adon position, but has not made up her mind yet. So, I was hired to take the position she chooses not to take. I know the DON and have worked with her before. I should know something this week as to which position I will end up with. I have done TILEs before and some mds's in the past, but, when we (at facility I left) got a new DON, she had the current adon do the mds's also, and I no longer was required to do them. It has been at least a year and a half since I have done any of them and am a little nervous, not knowing their (at new facility) computer system as well as not knowing yet which position I will be taking over. Will keep everyone posted. Keep the advise comming, please.

[achot chavi]

Hope you looove paperwork.
I've done both and prefer the ADNS position as it entitles me to do so much and get personal with my staff, patients and families.
Best peice of advice? DO NOTHING in the begining- just keep your eyes and ears open and Learn the underlying politics that goes on in every facility...
Lots of Luck- stay cool!

[banditrn]

Originally Posted by CapeCodMermaid

I've been an MDS coordinator for a 142 bed facility and have been (and am) an ADNS at that facility and one other. With the number and turnover of medicare patients there is no way the MDS coordinator could have been the ADNS,and with all the work and responsibilities I have as ADNS, there is no way I could do the MDS job justice. I hope your job will be doable. With everything in nursing,you'll have to find your priorities and organize, organize, organize! Good luck

Capecod - wouldn't an MDS coordinator need special classes? Or would just general LTC experience suffice?

I admit that I have NO idea what their job is.

[CapeCodMermaid]

I suppose it would depend on the kind of MDSs the coordinator was responsible for. For the Medicare PPS kind there are certain things to know...when to set the reference date, how to get the best score. For long term MDSs it's just a matter of learning the scheduling and being very organized. I was made the PPS coordinator because I had done MDSs for years and had paid attention at all the Medicare meetings...I can't imagine doing that job without any experience doing MDSs. There are classes but most facilities expect on the job training to suffice.

[achot chavi]

I was sent to a course and it helped me learn to get the most for the facility (without lying of course!!). I then did MDS's for another facility part time in addition to my full time in the first place so it was helpful to me personally. I was then able to instruct other nurses as well.
I would recommend the course over learning on the job! It will pay for itself!!