Clinical Documentation Improvement Specialist...

Bortaz, MSN, RN · Jul 25, 2015

I've been doing it now for about 14 months. I do still enjoy the job, mainly because I have a great team and a fantastic boss. The work itself can be boring (I was a NICU nurse in a very busy level 3 NICU, and was a stress junkie). The worst part for me is losing my old nursing schedule. M-F 8-5 sucks when you're used to working 3 days a week.

DeneenC720 · Sep 12, 2015

I have been a CDS for about 6 weeks after being a neuro critical care nurse for 10 years. I must say that moving from the bedside, especially one that is so specialized, has been a different adjustment. However, I have learned more about health processes than I ever did at the bedside! I have to look at the complete picture of a patient in order to determine their severity of illness and risk of mortality, using the documentation presented from the entire healthcare team. I was in orientation for 8 weeks and it humbled me even more to realize all of the things I believed "un-important" in doing my job that I dismissed it. All lab values, testing, surgical procedures, etc. now take on a new meaning.

The biggest hurdle has been not reading into physician documentation; I query based on my clinical knowledge and present it to the physician so that the documentation presents a clear picture of a patient to those that are not at the bedside. It can be frustrating at times; "yes, Dr. So-and-So, I do know that hyponatremia can cause seizures, brain swelling, cardiac arrythmias, etc, but that is not what you DOCUMENTED. I see lab values, symptoms and treatments that are directed to hyponatremia, but YOU DID NOT SAY THAT! That is why I sent the query with choices to select that further describes your patient." LOL! All in all, I enjoy the autonomy, the chance to learn and the continued interaction of the multidisciplinary team. I can even do my work away from the office, which is a nice change of pace. I work flexible hours, no weekends or holidays, have wonderfully supportive coworkers and the opportunity to be with my family; all-in-all, not a bad way to continue my nursing career!

CCK RN · Dec 13, 2017

SeaTracer75, sorry to resurrect this old thread, but I was hoping you're still active & can provide some more insight into this topic - I interviewed last week for a CDI RN position, and today received a call from the HR recruiter that I have been selected to take the JATA examination. I'm excited but freaking out a little, I have a little less than a week and have to start reviewing like, yesterday! Luckily the CDI manager I interviewed with shares my current experience/knowledge base (she was a long-time dialysis nurse before she left for Quality and never looked back), and she assured me that my renal expertise should have me pretty well-prepared for the exam. So, did you review any other resources besides Merck (I thought that was more medical than nursing)? Did you end up getting hired? If so, how do you like the job? Anything you care to share would be most appreciated! Going to scour other threads and potential review materials in the meantime!

KelRN215, BSN, RN · Dec 18, 2017

I randomly came across this thread the other day as I was considering applying for a CDI job and then the next day, one of my colleagues told me that she had given her notice to go back into CDI. All the signs are pointing to that I should apply. :)

featherzRN, MSN · Dec 18, 2017

Have been doing CDI for a few years now and just got certified.. I really like it!

415RN, BSN, RN · Aug 25, 2018

How do you break into this field? Any recommendations ?

loveit · May 4, 2020

Hello all,

I wonder if this thread is still active. I’m about to take my JATA assessment test soon so wondering if anyone here had taken it and if can me tips! Thanks!