MDS Coordinator Salaries

nurse_kim · Jul 2, 2005

Hi. I have been an LPN for 19 years, nearly all of those years spent in the same LTC facility. I have been MDS nurse (acting like an RN coordinator - scheduling, transmitting, in charge of PPS/Medicare decisions, etc) for 6 years. Last week I finally got my RN license - yahoo!!. Today they informed me my raise would be 72 cents. I was making 19.28/hr as LPN, now will be at $20 (with lots of experience). Can anyone share their salaries to see if I am in line with what I should be at. After all this hard work, I'm thinking it's time to look outside of LTC even though I love what I do.

I have been an LVN for 8 yrs, and have worked at the same facility. I am ADON, MDS/Careplan Coordinator, and TILE Nurse, I make 19.51 an hour.

Bird2 · Jul 2, 2005

Hi. I have been an LPN for 19 years, nearly all of those years spent in the same LTC facility. I have been MDS nurse (acting like an RN coordinator - scheduling, transmitting, in charge of PPS/Medicare decisions, etc) for 6 years. Last week I finally got my RN license - yahoo!!. Today they informed me my raise would be 72 cents. I was making 19.28/hr as LPN, now will be at $20 (with lots of experience). Can anyone share their salaries to see if I am in line with what I should be at. After all this hard work, I'm thinking it's time to look outside of LTC even though I love what I do.

Hard to believe isn't it. But in reality many seasoned LPN's transition to RN and because they have maxed out on their pay they do not get much of a raise. I know of two former LPN's that worked in the Hospital and were each given .25 extra when they passed the boards. They were insulted. They finally negotiated up to a dollar. I did not notice were you are from but what you were given must have been the starting wage for an RN?? Usually LTC start lower than the hospitals. I have seen starting wages in LTC for RNs anywere from 17.50 to 19.50/hr. If you are on good terms with your D.O.N. you might be able to speak to her and professionally state the reason that you feel you are worth more money. This may or may not work. Good luck! I have never done an MDS but most in the LTC world realize that it is a very important job for reimbursment and compliance with IDPH.

fluffwad · Jul 2, 2005

A lot depends also on what part of the country you're in, and if you're urban or rural. If I remember the discussion form the AANAC forum MDS nurses are making anywhere from $17-27/ hr.

Lambert5883 · Jul 2, 2005

Hi. I have been an LPN for 19 years, nearly all of those years spent in the same LTC facility. I have been MDS nurse (acting like an RN coordinator - scheduling, transmitting, in charge of PPS/Medicare decisions, etc) for 6 years. Last week I finally got my RN license - yahoo!!. Today they informed me my raise would be 72 cents. I was making 19.28/hr as LPN, now will be at $20 (with lots of experience). Can anyone share their salaries to see if I am in line with what I should be at. After all this hard work, I'm thinking it's time to look outside of LTC even though I love what I do.

My wife, who was an MDS Coordinator at two different LTCs in Harrisburg, Pa, made $29 and $32 an hour, respectively. With the amount of work that you have to deal with in making certain that your facility is being reimbursed appropriately, you are being greatly underpaid for your hard work and services. If I were you, I'd do the time and then move on to some company that is willing to compensate you better for your efforts.

CapeCodMermaid, RN · Jul 3, 2005

Hi. I have been an LPN for 19 years, nearly all of those years spent in the same LTC facility. I have been MDS nurse (acting like an RN coordinator - scheduling, transmitting, in charge of PPS/Medicare decisions, etc) for 6 years. Last week I finally got my RN license - yahoo!!. Today they informed me my raise would be 72 cents. I was making 19.28/hr as LPN, now will be at $20 (with lots of experience). Can anyone share their salaries to see if I am in line with what I should be at. After all this hard work, I'm thinking it's time to look outside of LTC even though I love what I do.

Two questions...but first...congrats on your RN license!!!!

1. How can an LPN be the MDS coordinator when the form itself says RN must sign???

and

2 What in the world is a TILE nurse?

PS I was the MDS coord. for a while and made the same salary I was making as day supervisor.

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Jul 3, 2005

The answer is: NEVER ENOUGH. There's not enough money in any nursing home's budget for the 60- and 70-hour weeks these nurses put in, not to mention for being on-call 24/7/365, for working the floor when short-staffed (which is at least once a week), for the aggravation of investigating every single bruise and skin tear and scratch on residents who are non-verbal or demented, for not being home with their families even when they are physically present because every waking moment is spent living and breathing the damn JOB. :stone

Nascar nurse, ASN, RN · Jul 4, 2005

Two questions...but first...congrats on your RN license!!!!
1. How can an LPN be the MDS coordinator when the form itself says RN must sign???
and
2 What in the world is a TILE nurse?
PS I was the MDS coord. for a while and made the same salary I was making as day supervisor.

Up until now I have had an RN sign off on the form. Other than that I've done the job. I have no idea what a TILE nurse is!

CapeCodMermaid, RN · Jul 4, 2005

Our MDS nurse ONLY does MDS's. She NEVER has to do the meds, NEVER has to do a treatment, and is not on the on-call schedule.

dd_txrn, ASN, BSN · Jul 4, 2005

Hi. I have been an LPN for 19 years, nearly all of those years spent in the same LTC facility. I have been MDS nurse (acting like an RN coordinator - scheduling, transmitting, in charge of PPS/Medicare decisions, etc) for 6 years. Last week I finally got my RN license - yahoo!!. Today they informed me my raise would be 72 cents. I was making 19.28/hr as LPN, now will be at $20 (with lots of experience). Can anyone share their salaries to see if I am in line with what I should be at. After all this hard work, I'm thinking it's time to look outside of LTC even though I love what I do.

Ive been an LVN for 5 years and took a job as a Medicare Coordinator--which means I only do the Medicare MDS's and Care Plans and no TILEs--althought I am certified and they pay me 19.25/hr. Where are you located? That makes all the difference in the world!

DD

CapeCodMermaid, RN · Jul 4, 2005

Will someone please tell me what TILES are..........

AlixCoastRN · Jul 5, 2005

I've never heard of TILEs before either - except those you put on the floor or play scrabble with :chuckle

As a Resident Care Manager with over 5 years experience, I input and schedule the MDS, write the care plan, ensure the care is delivered according to the care plan and physicians orders, do nutrition at risk weekly meeting, monthly psychotropic meetings, staff meetings, Medicare meeting (2 of them a week!), care conferences: my compensation is about $25.50 per hour but I am salaried and usually put in about 50 hours a week. I also play charge nurse, pass meds if needed, do treatments as needed, and counsel staff for their wrongdoings...sigh...No wonder I'm so tired!