catnip3

The census at our facility typically runs in the mid-80's. Before the advent of the ever-so-lovely COTs, I typically completed 62-72 MDS assessments a month. Now, it is typically in the mid-80's (not counting entry trackers)

All nursing jobs have good and bad experiences. Do I like being an MDS coordinator? I left a great employer after 10 years because they re-structured and cut my RNAC position. I tolerated the "new" position I had only 6 months before I joined another facility to be an RNAC again. It is a position I can see myself retiring in. The frustrations are lack of understanding/support from administration, and at times chasing after the interdisciplinary team to get their assessments done on time. I'm sure most MDS coordinators deal with this! The pluses are a lot of autonomy, knowing how important the job is in driving the residents' care, and flexibility in work hours, with no weekends or holidays.

It would also be very helpful if the Hospice agency can provide the MD-signed certifications of terminal illness as soon as they are updated. Too often I have had to call multiple times for them. They are needed so we can answer the question in Section J appropriately regarding terminal illness.

Good luck! If only change meant good things for once, but it rarely ever does.

I have tattoos, but because of my profession, I got them where they would not be visible in the work setting.

Well, my attempt to embrace change was not successful after a nearly 6 month try. I've been admittedly unhappy as an "assessment nurse", but good fortune came along in the form of an opportunity as an MDS coordinator at a much smaller facility than I've worked at. With the craziness of 3.0, this facility has ADDED an MDS position, so I will be the assistant at 32 hours a week. I greatly look forward to going back to a position I enjoyed. My anxiety is in that I now am not savvy in the entire 3.0 process, as I've only been responsible for fragments of it. So I have a lot of knowledge to regain. Wish me luck! I start next week!

I've gotten a gift of a nice hand lotion and lip balm which was truly appreciated- Avon's Silicone Glove is a good example of a perfect lotion for those of us who are constantly washing our hands (and no, I'm not an Avon lady!...)

3.0 has resulted in MAJOR changes in our facility, and I am so disheartened. We are a facility of over 180 beds. Prior to 3.0, we had 4 RNACs- 1 full time, and 3 at 32 hours a week. I had been an RNAC for 10 years. We were responsible for the entire RAI process including updating the care plans, and the system worked well and we had great state and UMR surveys. Corporate, despite the increased work burden, cut us to 2 RNACs- one full time and one 32 hours. I lost my RNAC position and am now an "assessment nurse". This change has been so difficult for me. I have gone from a specialized position that I did quite well, to a fragmented position that consists of what feels like cast-off duties that other nurses used to do, like weekly diabetic foot assessments and all the admissions (FUN when 4 come in one day). I'm responsible for a few sections of the MDS- I'm quite tired of looking at teeth and dentures! I have 98 residents on caseload now and I have a hard time keeping up with what is going on with all of them. My heart is broken because everything is so fragmented between the disciplines. The care plans I was so proud of are now in a shambles. I badly miss the old process, but I must "embrace change". Sigh. I hope it gets better in time (though it hasn't after 3 1/2 months).

I'm a rare one, I guess! I was hired as a totally inexperienced RNAC who had 12 years home health backround! I had NO experience as an RNAC, but dealt with PPS and the OASIS assessment process in home health. I guess I did okay... 10 years later, I'm still there!

I am admittedly discouraged and petrified about the upcoming change. Our corporation has handled everything with 3.0, with absolutely no input requested from us RNACs. Corporate went to all the nice seminars/training sessions, and now they will train us in just 4 sessions coming up in September. In addition, despite the much heavier work burden coming up with 3.0, they are CUTTING the facility's RNAC hours significantly. Our "duties" are being "reorganized", yet we have not yet been provided with any job description of what our responsibilities are going to be. It is so much to take in and will be like completely learning a brand new job from scratch. I know we are expected to "embrace" change, but this "change" seems like things will be SO much harder.

My best friend had a hard time in nursing school, and was on "probation" for borderline grades. She failed her state boards the first time. But she FLOURISHED as a nurse when she got out in the real working world! She is an excellent nurse with great patient teaching skills. So great grades do not necessarily make a great nurse. Some people just do not "test" well on paper, but have excellent practical skills.

It's nice to know there are others from this area. I live right between Scranton and Wilkes-Barre. I've lived here all my life, and in my middle age I really am ready for a change, if only Hubby and I could gather up the guts to move! (We are in love with northeast Tennessee!)

Ah, yes, I forgot about Hospice. Their nurse and/or social worker usually comes.

We invite the residents' FRP via letter, and give the resident a nice personal invitation that looks like a party invitation. Our response is great, with about 50-75% of the families and/or residents attending. The input of all, even an "incapable" resident, is valuable, and they all enjoy the personal meeting.