how often MDS C. work floor?

[pageplace]

Hi, new here. I've been an MDS Coordinator for about 3 months. When I took the position it was in a MESS. We just had surveyors and were tagged for care plans. Our census is usually around 80 with an average of 10 Med A. We have DON, ADON, me and Nursing Supervisor. All day shift. The last three weeks in a row, I have been pulled to work the floor one day each week. Now am I just being unreasonable, but shouldn't at least the nursing supervisor and or ADON share being pulled to the floor. And because I was spending all my time on care plans for the revisit...MDS' are way behind again. HHHHEEEEEELLLLLLLPPPPPPPP. Any advice ? ? ?

[MDSlady]

Hey, no offense taken. I totally can understand the frustration of being a charge nurse also. I worked as a charge nurse for 7 years until I became MDS Coordinator. The MDS Coordinator before me would attend her meetings (fall, restraint, etc) and just report to us (charge nurses) what had to be changed as far as care plans, care cards and restraint forms that needed to be signed, etc.

Now that I am MDS Coordinator I do not give all the excess paperwork to the charge nurses. That's supposed to be my job. When I let them know of new interventions, restraints, etc. I let them know that I have updated the care plans and care cards already. I'm just letting them be aware of any changes to pass on to other staff.

And it is appreciated ALOT by charge nurses. Oh, and by the way....I don't think that our management nurses could even do a med pass. They have been in the office for so long. They have even admitted this to other staff. :chuckle

[CapeCodMermaid, RN]

Our PPS MDS coordinator does MDS's and that's it...never does the floor, never serves on a committee, doesn't go to care plan meetings. 142 bed facility with a Medicare census between 22 and 30....she does, as do all the managers in the building, pass trays for one meal a day.

[Chel]

Hmmm, I don't think our MDS coordinators know where the floor is. :rotfl: About the only time you see them is when they're on their way outside to take one of their (many) 20 min smoke breaks. Okay, okay, one did try to help me the other day..on orders from the Aministrator. I had three readmits, and one new admit, one actively dying, and was by myself with 60 residents (I have two cmt's to do the regular med passes), and was working a 16 hour shift. I appreciated the thought, but she was new, and had no idea what to do. I'd just as soon do it myself...but I found a kindly nurse to come in early to help.

The DON doesn't work the floor either...but as far as DON's go, she's pretty cool. The other three administrative LPN's don't do floors either. Let's just say the regular staff nurses can have alot of overtime...mandatory, that is.

Long term care is not boring to say the least. You learn amazing organizational skills....

[fluffwad]

but, in my facility anyways - they aren't even trained to do my job - so when i am overwhelmed - i'm on my own. .......................... when i need help - no one knows my job.

amen!

had some new grad bop by my office and ask "how i get an easy job like yours?" i told her ...get your rn and at least 3 -5 years floor experience, then get your crrn, then get your rac-c,.......and memorize that rai manual and become computer literate. oh and take some icd-9 training and learn how to use word, excel, publisher, and how to set up and maintain your own computer. and learn how to run care plan meetings and keep track of everyone and everything going on the building because the don is gonna ask you.................oh and if you have to cover the floor......all your work is still going to be waiting for you ..............................................

[donmomofnine]

Never works the floor and that's the way it needs to be!