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.

I've been in LTC nearly 9 years, and the paperwork itself NEVER gets any easier! With all the rules and regs. required for LTC, the paperwork DOES seem like overkill! You do get used to it and it does get easier in time.

Well, after 25 years in nursing, I was able to get an 11 year old Corvette...better than no Corvette at all!

No, it was never my dream to be a nurse. I wanted badly to go into conservation, forestry, wildlife research (quite a far cry from nursing, I know!). However, my family was very poor, we had no car, and the babysitting job I had helped Mom pay the bills. I went to nursing school only because I could walk there, and the 3 year program was affordable with a loan. So here I am 25 years later, still a nurse! :-) I never "loved" it, but it IS a wonderful career, and I feel I've given it my all, though I still dream of spending my working days in the great outdoors.

I AM seriously considering going back to home health. I'm sure a lot of agencies provide flexibility with scheduling if I only want to work 32 hours a week. Thanks for the support!!

I am glad I'm not the only one who feels this way! I am 45 years old, a nurse for 25 years, and I am in a stage of burnout. I never "wanted" to be a nurse. My family was very poor, and I went to nursing school only because I could walk there (we had no car), and the 3 year hospital-based diploma program was affordable with a loan. I REALLY wanted to get into wildlife research and conservation (quite a far cry from nursing, eh?), but family situation, etc. wouldn't allow for college. But enough about that. Like you, starbuck, I never "loved" nursing. I knew I never would my very first day of nursing school. But I feel I did an admirable job making the best of it. I've had just 4 jobs in my 25 years, leaving home health only because the agencies I worked for closed. I'm now in long-term care. Nursing IS a good career- I am very fortunate to have job security and make a half-decent salary with good benefits, and I've given it my all and know I've done my job well. But the thoughts of 22 more years of this till I retire (IF I CAN retire) has me so distraught. So many people have admirably gone back to school to do what they really wanted, but I have no desire or energy (or $$!) to do that at my age. (If I were younger like you, starbuck, I'd consider it!) I guess I'm lazy or whatever, or just afraid of the financial risk of college and then regaining all that if I could ever find a job in what I really want to do. I don't know what point I'm even trying to get at here as I whine and vent. I guess I just need emotional support, and maybe a job change. Hopefully I can get into a more + frame of mind!

Your input is all appreciated, so bring it on! I'm a nurse for 25 years, and have had only 3 jobs- 5 years in a hospital, 12 years for a home health agency, and nearly 9 years at the nursing home I now work at. I am at a point in my career of 25 years where I am feeling burnout. I am an MDS Coordinator at the LTC facility, and have held that position since I've started there. I'll try to be brief without it turning into a venting session. I used to LOVE the position, worked 32 hours a week with flexible hours, and it was great. Over the past several months, MANY big changes have been made corporate-wide, really affecting my job. I now work 36-50 hours a week, and with the changes, I no longer feel like a nurse, more like 90% secretary/billing clerk and 10% nurse. I really need a change. I would consider going back to home health but I've been there/done that with on-call and miles of travelling. I miss patient contact and patient care- I no longer have an opportunity for that in the nursing home due to my job changes, and I don't want an 11-7 floor nurse or supervisor position there, all that's ever available. I am seriously considering private duty. There is a Bayada agency close by and I have heard mostly very good things about them. I have been reading though the posts here. I already anticipate that I'd have to take a pay cut, and health insurance will take more out of our budget if I have to go on my husband's. Do any of you do private duty as your primary job? Since I haven't done hands-on patient care in nearly 9 years, I fear being totally lost. I've had trach experience and was comfortable with it, no vent experience, and as for peds, probably the last time I've cared for a child was my nephew, who is now 22! I'd like to work 32 hours a week, day shift, and a very occasional 3-11 or weekend. Am I living in a dream world? Would it be a wise move to consider?

Just placed another order with Salus Uniforms. They have clearance tops for $2.99 and pants for $3.99!

I was very happy with my order from www.salusuniforms.com Great prices ($9.99 for a set!) AND quality, and I received my order accurately and very quickly

And how do you like it? The facility I work for recently changed from RCS and RAVEN to another system (I won't mention the name). I am having such a hard time liking it, because it is so complex and difficult to use. I know I need to give it time, but it has been over a month already and I'm STILL not liking it. I was just curious what systems you all use.

it is a pleasure to have residents and families come.......most are very pleased with the care, and their input really helps our care planning.