kathrynrn

hey everyone... i am new to this site but not new to nursing. i am an rn with my bsn, have worked as a staff nurse for my entire career (11 years). my last 9 years i have been working in newborn nursery/postpartum. i worked ltc on a skilled primary care medicare wing for 18 months prior to going to work in nursery. i have worked as an aid while in nursing school in ltc for several years. i want desperately to get out of the hospital and would love to become an mds coordinator. here is the problem...no experience as an mds coordinator. i actually interviewed with a facility for the position but she offered me a staff position instead, stating she really needed someone with experience for the mds position. i politely turned down the staff position. i became a member of the aanac organization to become certified as a resident assessment coordinator. the first class that i am taking is so confusing. my question is...should i continue trying to get this certification with the confusion that i am experiencing. i am taking the classes on-line, the only option available @ this time. will this help me to get a job or is it a waste of time. the problem is i cant get a job without experience...but no one will hire me to give me some experience. catch 22 huh? any ideas on what i could do to land this type of job. i really did enjoy ltc and would like to be back in this setting but am tired of all the weekends and holidays, this being why i turned down the staff position. any advice would be appreciated more than i can say as i am desperate to make the right choice...i also have like 10 days left before i forfeit my entire membership fee to aanac. thanks sooooo much in advance. also if anyone in ky has a general idea as to the salary of mds coordinators in ky...that would be great too.