Frustrated and overwhelmed at work...Vent/Advice?

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in Geri-psych, corrections, wound care, MDS.

*I initially posted this in the MDS sub-forum, but it's more of a generalized issue, so it's here as well :) *

I'm basically at my wits end in my current position. I accepted the MDS coordinator position in September because I loved the facility and was dying to come back in any capacity I could. It was the only thing available, and my DON (who is lovely, btw) thought I could handle it...

I suppose I have for the most part, but I'm hitting a wall at the moment. The person I replaced was evidently quite burnt out with the job, and had essentially done less than the bare minimum for her last few months (years?). Care plans were dismal, MDSs were behind, et al. I asked to be told EVERYTHING I was to be responsible for, because I knew that I needed to develop a semi-routine to ensure I managed my time effectively. I was told "Just worry about this (MDS/care plans) for now. Everything else can wait."

Now I suddenly am being delegated more and more, and it's severely frustrating. I knew this would happen, which is why I'd asked to know ALL my responsibilities in advance. I'm in charge of coding/collecting info for the MDS, writing care plans, doing ALL the nursing assessments, writing/maintaining/evaluating restorative programs, Medicare certs/recerts, AND fixing missing documentation for 3rd quarter billing (for which I was not even here!) so we don't lose our rate.

On top of this, I was told by my administrator this week that "(my) office is a mess, and the owner was not happy"... Yes, it is a mess, for several reasons: 1) In addition to my other duties, I'm apparently Medical Records, so every scrap of past documentation gets dumped into my office, 2) The roof leaks and water drips through the light fixture, so said paperwork is piled on top of cabinets to avoid getting soaked, and 3) I taped trash bags over my windows because they don't seal and the baseboard heater plus my space heater can't keep the temperature bearable d/t the draft otherwise (and maintenance can't/won't do anything about it.)

This is essentially a rant, but I'd welcome any suggestion as to how I might better manage my time and/or be more assertive regarding my workload, etc from more experienced folk. Thanks

(And PS. You guys rock... I've learned a ton from this forum already )

Specializes in Family Practice.

Run!:eek:

I hate MDS with a passion.

Specializes in Geri-psych, corrections, wound care, MDS.

As do I, it's becoming more and more evident! ;)

Specializes in Med Office, Home Health, School Nurse.

At the risk of sounding like a complete and total bimbo....whats MDS?

Specializes in Geri-psych, corrections, wound care, MDS.

It's ok, I didn't have a clue when I started the job, lol.

MDS stands for Minimum Data Set; it's essentially an overview of a resident's condition that we submit to CMS to calculate reimbursement rates. Also, it's what drives care plan creation based on the "total picture"....aka, if the CP doesn't match the MDS, I get a tag, lol.

Gosh, I got away from the MDS after PPS came into play. I can just imagine how the 3.0 is now!

How many residents are you resposnible for? Can you get a copy of your job description and go from there?

As far as your office....do you have work reqs that you can put in to maintance? What about having them adm or owner or what ever big wig is around come to your office when it is cold and rainy.

What about a separate area for med records? Even if you are going to be responsible for some of that at least it could be organized better.

Specializes in Geri-psych, corrections, wound care, MDS.

Thanks for the advice :).

I'm lobbying hard to move the filing out of my office at the moment...It's a matter of coming up with a plan to present as an alternative to the current arrangement. (I've noticed that complaining doesn't help nearly as much as coming up with a plan and presenting it as "Hey, do you think this would work?", lol).

Census is currently 60, 3 of which are Med A. PPS does suck, but 3.0 is a cluster-youknowwhat of unbelievably EPIC proportions, lol....I won't climb onto that particular soapbox.

I appreciate the suggestions. I'm going to try and unearth a copy of my job description, but I'm afraid I'm going to find that "...and other duties as necessary" caveat stuck in there to absolve administration of any wrong, lol. Guess I'll find out, yeah? :)

Specializes in ACHPN.

One word in your post says it all...."owner." That implies an individual who will get away with the bare minimum for the sake of profit. The conditions in your office are a disgrace. You are being required to fill many positions because your state probably has minimum ratios for nurses/aids that the owner can't cut. It sounds like you are the RNAC, business office, QA, and medical records department all wrapped into one. I say find yourself a new job ASAP!

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