Do you need certification to be an MDS nurse?

[nurse1109]

I am wanting to pursue a job as an MDS nurse in the future. I have worked LTC and am familiar with what MDS is and its significance. I currently work acute rehab in a hospital. What is the best way to prepare for an MDS position if one becomes available somewhere? I really think this is something I would like to do as I am slowly becoming burnt out on bedside care. I have also thought about getting my BSN, MDS coordinator jobs seem to be administrative positions and so I thought the BSN experience may help. Should I start working on an MDS certification? Or would this be too confusing since I have not actually done MDS work? Any advice would help. I had been offered an MDS assistant job at a LTC that I had worked at that the working conditions were awful. They picked me because they know I am a very dependable, fast learner. I turned the job down after much thought to stay full-time at the local hospital, but am now kicking myself seeing as these jobs are hard to come by and should have taken the job for the experience. Do you have any advice as to making myself marketable to a facility even though I do not have on the job experience with MDS?

[katoline]

No, you don't need certification to be an MDS nurse. Some companies may require it and it may look good on a resume, but experience it the key. You say you are familiar with the MDS, that is a plus. The MDS 3.0 that came out in Oct. is quite a bit different with different timelines than the previous 2.0 and taking courses would be helpful. An assistant job would be a great start, if the company was willing to help with training and had an experienced person in the department already.

I don't feel a BSN would make a difference and I certainly wouldn't want to be working on one when starting out and learning, just my opinion. Good luck!