Does anyone like being and MDS coordinator?

Specialties MDS

Published

Specializes in ICU, Home health, Peds, School Nursing.

Just wondering if there are nurses out there that actually like doing this job. I may be applying for one but seem to hear, read, more about the negative stuff and hardly anything rewarding about this career. Please help me understand. Would really like any comments/thoughts.

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Specializes in LTC, Hospice, Case Management.

I did it for 10 years and loved it. Don't get me wrong, it can be highly frustrating but I loved putting all the little pieces together..I loved mastering the financial piece of the puzzle.

From my experience, you either love it or hate it. Some days I want to kick myself for giving up the job and believing I needed to grow and expand my experiences. Life was good in the MDS world.

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Specializes in ICU, Home health, Peds, School Nursing.

Thank you so much. I read these posts and get very nervous about this specialty when it seem to be all negative posts. I know this is a place to vent but just making sure there are people who enjoy it. Thanks for taking the time to answer.

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Specializes in LTC, WCC, MDS Coordinator.

I must love doing MDS's since I did them for a few years, went to doing dialysis for 5 years, went back to LTC for a couple years, and now have been doing MDS's for about 10 months again. It is interesting putting the whole puzzle together. An MDS Coordinator needs to be self-directed and have their own way of scheduling their days to make it work. Going from 2.0 to 3.0 was quite a challenge and made us reassess our scheduling but now is smoother. My facility is going from using one documentation program to a new one and also going from paper to electronic charting- everything all at once. Another challenge... but one that looks like it will give me a LOT more information to use. Just have to be open to change. And I love the challenge!!!!

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Specializes in Rehab.

I used to like 2.0. 3.0 not so much. The discharge assessments have basically doubled my workload, I have no help, and I feel like I'm a hamster on a wheel, trying to catch up and not get in trouble with the state and feds.

I've applied for a nurse management position. I'm about burned out and ready to move on after this 2 year stretch.

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Specializes in MDS/Office.

I like doing an MDS work.

What I don't like is the insane work load, lack of support from other departments, lack of respect from management & the Politics. :twocents:

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Specializes in Assessment coordinator.

I think the best part of being the MDS coordinator is knowing that you know how the business end of the nursing home dovetails with the caregiving end. I think you have to like yourself if you are an MDS coordinator, because a lot of times, you will not have a lot of other people liking you. Also, good administration is the world of difference. If they don't realize that your time is too valuable (TO THEM, as much as you) to be used in petty non-productive ways, then you need to do MDS's somewhere else, for someone who does value your time.

I love this, especially after all I've learned over 8 years. It helps to build rapport with other MDS coordinators in your area, as well. Networking prevents burnout.

ST

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Specializes in Long-term care, home health.

All nursing jobs have good and bad experiences. Do I like being an MDS coordinator? I left a great employer after 10 years because they re-structured and cut my RNAC position. I tolerated the "new" position I had only 6 months before I joined another facility to be an RNAC again. It is a position I can see myself retiring in. The frustrations are lack of understanding/support from administration, and at times chasing after the interdisciplinary team to get their assessments done on time. I'm sure most MDS coordinators deal with this! The pluses are a lot of autonomy, knowing how important the job is in driving the residents' care, and flexibility in work hours, with no weekends or holidays.

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I doubt there is a single area of nursing that is completely free of stressors, but every individual nurse has to find her niche. I know several NICU nurses who would rather leave nursing than leave NICU to be an MDS Coordinator, whereas I would leave nursing if I had to do NICU nursing. Every area has it's own rewards, so it is a matter of what you want your rewards to be that counts.

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Love it!!!! I have been MDS coordinator with same company for almost 13 years and absolutely love it. My first degree was in business and second in nursing so this position is perfect for me. I am more financially oriented than patient care but fortunately my company appreciates that :) The company that I work for NEVER pulls MDS nurses and we never take on call. They are very aware of the importance of the MDS department and the rest of the building pretty much knows to leave us to our MDS's. Our administrators and DON's attend most MDS training with us. They went to the whole 3 day 3.0 training. They also have attended many RUGS seminars and ADL trainings with us so they are very aware of the importance of every aspect of our positions. I have been very lucky....i have a great position....great administrator....and great company :redpinkhe

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Specializes in Care Coordination, MDS, med-surg, Peds.

ice princess, where do you work, and do you need an assistant?

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Specializes in LTC, Psych, Med/Surg.
ice princess, where do you work, and do you need an assistant?

I had to laugh at this one. According to her profile, iceprincess is somewhere in Ohio. :lol2: She had me wondering if there was another opening with her company, too.

Catmom :paw:

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