MDS nursing as a new graduate????

Nurses General Nursing

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So, Im a new RN graduate(less than a month) and have been applying applying for RN jobs in almost every unit for two months. I just got one response! Im very excited but who'da thunk I'd get a response for an MDS nursing position?! When I applied I knew it was case mgmt, Iknew I could get experience also working "the floors" as a nurse and the ad read "WILL TRAIN" so I hopped on it. The hours are a MAJOR MAJOR plus (8a-5p). but ya'll I never thougt I'd get a call back ..esp since the ad specifically asked for an LPN. Well, I did get a call :yeah:. BUT,,, since the companies budget will only allow for an LPN's salary ($20), I'm not so excited anymore :down:. I was looking forward to the pay increase rn salary would give, my family really needs it plus I need to start paying off the loan i got for nursing school.

So my question is: Would you accept this job even if the salary is lower than what new RN grads are getting in your area? Or would you keep searching? I'd hate to accept the job offer then leave them high and dry for another better paying job. MDS nursign seems really interesting and it seeems like a great opportunity for me to get a little mgmt experience while alos honing in on my patient care skills...but Im feeling like im getting ripped off. The PROS are good hours, experience (CM and pt care), its a J-O-B and convenient location.. The CON is pay. Lol, thats it. Seems like an easy decision but Im just torn.

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i'm not a case manager but i do see what the case management goes through. some of these managers have 10-15 years working on the floor or other management experience. its a very tough job trying to convince physicians to discharge patients or get them the services they need to get them out the door. i've been asked by one of the case managers to come work with them and they asked me how much experience i had (1.5 years) and they said to come back in 2-3 years. no thanks anyways. haha. its a HUGE learning curve. they teach me stuff all the time and its stuff i wouldn't think of. i think it comes with years of experience. i can't decide for you, but if it were me, i would try to get floor experience somewhere. good luck with whatever you do.

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Specializes in Hospice / Psych / RNAC.

In the state of Hawaii it must be an RN who is the MDS nurse or in some places they're called RCM's. Sounds fishy or are you just collecting info for the MDS or are you actually going to sign off on it as team leader? The form requires an RN to be the team leader with my experience or have they finally went over to a newer version and things have changed.

Hmmmm sounds different. Also the MDS nurse must finish x amount of hours of in-services on the MDS yearly. Also the amount of patients per MDS nurse is usually 25; that is of course if you are the team leader and filling out and doing the care plans, the meetings, etc....

Get more clarification as to what exactly your duties will be. Are you the team leader or are you there to gather info for the team leader. MDS nurses are usually paid more then the average RN salary. The MDS nurse has great influence and responsibility. Get more clarification and ask about who is going to be the team leader; the one who signs off on them after it is done.

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I really would advise you to get some experience first. The MDS is part of the RAI process which is how LTC facilities are reimbursed. Sometimes it is called "charting for dollars" which is really the truth! MDS nurses must code to the highest possible code to get the money without being untruthful. Another thing is encouraging staff to chart accurately due to the fact that anything coded on the MDS must have proof that it exists somewhere in the chart. Another fun part of MDS nursing is when they are audited by the state, they will sit down & go though the charts with a fine-toothed comb to be sure everything matches up! The care plans, MDS, any nurse aide work sheet must match up exactly! Another thing...$20.00/hour is not nearly enough money to do this job, it has alot of responsibility! Literally the MDS nurse is documenting for reimbursement...the facility is getting their money from the MDS scores! There is a good section on this site for MDS nursing, I suggest you review that also. I don't mean to be discouraging, but my opinion is that this job is not for a brand new nurse. I've done MDS's from 1991 to 2006 & I had been an RN for 9 years prior to taking that job as an MDS nurse. I don't miss it a bit, & now there is a new MDS format out there, the 3.0...

thanks!

jerenemarie

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Specializes in acute care med/surg, LTC, orthopedics.

All of our MDS positions/RAI Coordinator are LPNs.

ETA: It has nothing to do with case management.

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But... you might not get another offer for months (for real).

MDS is kinda different if it's LTC. I was once considering a $21 dollar, part time RN hospital job (clinical) an hour away (65 mph), as I had been looking since Dec '09, I **** you not. Yeah it's that bad out there.

Tough call. How far is the drive? If it's short I just might take it if I were you. And, that means take it for a while, till things begin to open up some.

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Specializes in Hospice / Psych / RNAC.
All of our MDS positions/RAI Coordinator are LPNs.

ETA: It has nothing to do with case management.

Do you work in the United States?

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I really would advise you to get some experience first. The MDS is part of the RAI process which is how LTC facilities are reimbursed. Sometimes it is called "charting for dollars" which is really the truth! MDS nurses must code to the highest possible code to get the money without being untruthful. Another thing is encouraging staff to chart accurately due to the fact that anything coded on the MDS must have proof that it exists somewhere in the chart. Another fun part of MDS nursing is when they are audited by the state, they will sit down & go though the charts with a fine-toothed comb to be sure everything matches up! The care plans, MDS, any nurse aide work sheet must match up exactly! Another thing...$20.00/hour is not nearly enough money to do this job, it has alot of responsibility! Literally the MDS nurse is documenting for reimbursement...the facility is getting their money from the MDS scores! There is a good section on this site for MDS nursing, I suggest you review that also. I don't mean to be discouraging, but my opinion is that this job is not for a brand new nurse. I've done MDS's from 1991 to 2006 & I had been an RN for 9 years prior to taking that job as an MDS nurse. I don't miss it a bit, & now there is a new MDS format out there, the 3.0...

thanks!

jerenemarie

I did research the job some before I submitted by app and cv, but from what everyone's saying, its out of my league. And trust, I do believe that. I always knew it was a tough job but I was up for the challenge when the ad read "will train". Im very frustrated. The only job Ive been offered is one with a lot of responsibility, great opportunity to learn and be trained w a salary only a few thousands more than what i made before nursing school!

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But... you might not get another offer for months (for real).

MDS is kinda different if it's LTC. I was once considering a $21 dollar, part time RN hospital job (clinical) an hour away (65 mph), as I had been looking since Dec '09, I **** you not. Yeah it's that bad out there.

Tough call. How far is the drive? If it's short I just might take it if I were you. And, that means take it for a while, till things begin to open up some.

I live very close to this place. I've thought about the present condition n rn demand which is why im soo scared to let this job go.

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thanks everyone for your great advice! ya'll are awesome. I'll keep u posted

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Specializes in acute care med/surg, LTC, orthopedics.
Do you work in the United States?

That little red and white thing next to my user name is called a Canadian flag.

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Specializes in LTC, MDS, Education.

Not many opportunities to be trained in MDS. Take it! Try to realize that they are maybe thinking of you as an apprentice. :). I was trained for MDS and did it for 2 years. Looks good on a resume, too. So I would go for it. It takes many years to learn and understand MDS.. You may be able to pick up some overtime!. Good luck and keep us posted! :nurse:

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