[OK-LPN-MDS]

Hi I am wondering if there are ANY other LPN MDS coordinators out there?
I work in a privately owned LTC facility as the MDS coordinator and I do all the care planning by hand. I keep ALL care plans updated.
I also help on the floor when I can and do Charge Nurse one day a week.
I have been doing this for over a year now, been an LPN for 12 years now with mostly hospital experience and was a CNA for 3 yrs before that.
I love the place I work and love doing the MDS & care plans......but......
I am getting very frustrated with the wage part of it. I feel I have a trememdous amount of responsibilities with doing the MDS/CP( I know all nurses do... ) and feel what I do is worth more.
I am a single mom with 3 children and very little outside support, I have been seriously thinking lately of finding an online bridge program to get my RN. I just cannot afford to keep doing this for this pay.

I honestly LOVE care planning...I know i'm a sicko and am truly happy to be doing what I do...but financially....it's killing me .

So? Am I alone here are are there other LPN /MDS nurses here?

Thanks in advance for any resposes

[Nascar nurse]

Hello. I am an RN, but only since last June. I am also an MDS coor./careplanning/medicare nurse and have been doing that for the last 6 years (5 1/2 as an LPN). For anyone "butting in here" my RN partner signed R2b for all MDS's done, but I was equally responsible for my full load as was she (we split our building in two).

I went to Excelsior and got my RN because I felt the exact same way you describe. Don't get me wrong, my partner was/is great, but exactly what did she do to earn $2-$4/hr more than me? We were doing the EXACT same work and were held to the EXACT same standards. The words of "her assessment skills are further advanced than yours" never held water with me... refer back to "being held to EXACT SAME standards" - as well I should be.

And no, I don't think you're a "sicko" because you love careplanning. It's not my favorite part, but I absolutely love (I am a "sicko for) the business end of the whole process, the tracking, the figurine out how to adjust dates to max the reimbursement. I have an average of 20-25 medicare residents on my floor - but our turnover is crazy.. easily end up with having had 50-65 DIFFERENT medicare residents in any given month.

Anyways, as an LPN I was making $19.28/hr. Got my annual raise (3%) within a week of getting RN license and pay went up to $21/hr total, so really nothing to brag about for the RN license. I do it cuz I really enjoy it and it gives me a lot of flexibility in my work hours.

How does my salary compare to yours?

[OK-LPN-MDS]

Hi Nascar nurse Thank you for responding.
I am responsible for all the MDS & care planning. We don't do the Medicare, but do the medicaid. The DON just signs for the RN sig on the MDS and the Raps.
I only make 12.50/hr....I know depressing I feel very underpaid for the responsibilities I carry.
I am in Oklhaoma tho and after reading through posts here I think the low wages are apart of this state.
I think it's time for a change

[jaimemds]

I am also an LPN/MDS coordinator and do it all!!! i love what I do and love care planning. My DON signs R2b, but I do all the scheduling, care plans, raps, pain and restraints ax's, etc, etc, etc!!! Not to mention keeping my Administrator in line. I often find myself writing P&P's. I do not have a back up. I wonder when they think I'm going to take my 3 wks vacation! LOL