MDS - Many Questions

[nursepersonmds]

Hi. Just found your forum. Great information on here regarding MDS stuff from all over the country. I am a RN and do the MDS for our 80 bed facility. I have many different duties and stay really busy. Sometimes wonder if I am over/under paid and how to break out into the corporate world of MDS nurses. Also, which certification is better/more accepted, NASPAC or AANAC? Thanks!

[ltcconsultant]

AANAC's RAC-CT seems to be the more respected of the various MDS certifications out there. It also appears to provide the best value for the money since you have access to their website when you join. Joining + online certification with AANAC is about the same price as the two other major certification programs but I believe this is the only one you can do by self study.

[ncsilver]

[if you are interested in an MDS position in CT . . .call me!

Norman Cartier

SNF Consultant

1.800617.2099

[cadburypam]

I had at one time both AANAC and NASPAC certifications, The AANAC one I feel is better since you have support of the listserv and the opportunity to check the education site for new material. It seemed to me that after I got the NASPAC cert they just dropped it and when I did get a renewal I had to pay $500 to retake the course. With AANAC I had to take one course to receive my RAC-CT (was a RAC) and it was alot cheaper. The AANAC conferences are a great way to learn new things, newtwork, and keep up to date with regulatory changes. BTW I am on the AANAC membership committe and the State contact for Delaware, so I guess I may be a little prejudice in my opinion! However, even if I weren't it's a great organization.

[MohamedRN]

Hello there;

I just joined allnurses.com, and I am trying to find my around this website. I joined because I am intereted in knowing about MDS. I am a registered nurse in florida and thinking in pursuing a career in MDS. I have not done MDS at all though. I mostly did home health care and long term care.

So, dou thing you can enlighten me about the pros and the cons of MDS. I am also hoping to know how to become certified, how much does it cost to become as such, is a sought after job, and the pay rate?

Thank you for any assistance you are able to provide.

Thank you and best regards.

Sincerely yours;

Mohamed, RN (Florida)

[mdsnurse-k]

most LTC facilities offer no weekends and no on calls. Depends on experience for pay. If your plans is to do Medicare MDS it can get overwelming at times ande that too depends on the facility. MDS coordinator or the new term Clinical reimbursement specialist or director are few to find in some areas.