Nurse Surveyor for Dept. of Health and Human Services TX

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Dec 13, 2014

HI!

Viva has experience in this sector but not in Texas....she'll be along. It's a ton of paper work.

Vincent12 · Dec 13, 2014

okay, thanks Esme12. I was an extern on my current unit (Med/Surg Tele) and hired as a nurse last June 2014. I am miserable. I try to have a positive attitude but I guess I expected something different. I am a new nurse but going on 42 years old and wanting to find my niche in nursing. I feel like a natural leader and see myself as someone who is good at troubleshooting, evaluation, and I am a big on pt. advocacy....nurse surveyor looked like a good fit. I got called for an interview right away, so I'm a bit suspicious. Its with HHS, Dept of Ageing and Disabled specifically. It says regional travel but possible out of state travel, so not to sure on the details. Any advice would be appreciated.

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Dec 13, 2014

Hello there! I live in Oregon so I don't really know how things go in TX, but here's what I know about surveying.

It is A LOT of paperwork. Well, it's mostly done on the computer, but you also have to go through facility records which are copied and stay with the surveyors during the inspection. The hardest part for me was trying to learn the QIS (Quality Indicator Survey) system and memorize the most common F-tags (I have short-term memory issues). It is not user-friendly. You will also carry a laptop computer everywhere you go in a facility, taking down notes as you observe residents and interview staff members and families of those who are not interviewable.

The training period is six to nine months, and is very intensive. There are a lot of training videos to watch, and toward the end of your probation you'll go to Baltimore for a week of Federal "basic training". You don't become a full member of a survey team until you've completed this and are certified at the Federal level; trainers watch your every move during the training period and you cannot even enter a facility by yourself until you're through that process.

Travel is extensive. You wouldn't go outside your own state on survey though. But you have to be prepared to go anywhere, at any time, and Texas is a big state. They try to keep the regional teams in their own area as much as possible, but it's not unusual to drive 200-300 miles to a facility. They will pay all expenses for you---hotel, food (within reason) etc.

Personally, I didn't enjoy the job, for a number of reasons. Most of the people I worked with loved it, especially the travel. The job is an important one, and indirectly it gives you a chance to advocate for the residents of long-term care facilities. Just be aware that it's a lot more complicated than it appears on the surface, and that it'll be at least 2-3 years before you'll feel comfortable in the role.

Good luck to you!

Vincent12 · Dec 14, 2014

Wow. Thank you. I will probably cancel the interview. I think it sounds like something I would enjoy but driving 300 miles at the drop of a hat sounds a little crazy. I think Id rather spend time working towards my masters. Thanks! :)

Vincent12 · Dec 14, 2014

Oh. Still curious what the pay is like. Thanks

foreverme_85 · Nov 3, 2015

Did you interview and take the job?

Vincent12 · Nov 3, 2015

No. I actually found my niche in the OR. Thanks for asking í ½í¸‰

ccguidry · Nov 6, 2015

Hi, I just saw this post and thought I would leave a comment for others considering this job. I worked as a nurse surveyor as well and didn't care for it. I too was called for an interview somewhat quickly. While the state does pay for gas mileage, if the facility is local you are required to use your own car. I live in a big city with lots of traffic and long-term it just wasn't worth the extra wear and tear on my car. There is also a high turnover rate. I started with 2 other nurses and we all left after about 3-4 months.