Some questions about MDS

[luvtolearn]

Hi everyone,

I have read the forums for awhile, but just signed up. I have been a LTC nurse for about five years and I am interested in learning MDS. One thing is holding me back...meetings. I am fine speaking in one on one situations, but any more than 2-3 other people I become very nervous and it shows. Especially, if I am discussing something I am not completely sure of. I know there are care plan meetings and this is what is holding me back. My facility is small, and care plan meeting are very informal...the DNS/MDS and maybe a social worker or activity aid. Families hardly ever show up. I know this isn't the norm.

How many people different people show up at your meeting? Does the MDS coordinator run the meeting?

[Bella'sMyBaby]

Care Plan Meetings are informal.

Usually consisting of Social Services, Dietary, Activities, Therapy & Nursing.

The Buildings I've been in, Social Services runs the Meeting.

Each Dept. gives a little update about what's going on with the Resident.

If a question is asked by the Resident/Family that you don't know, say you don't know but that you will get back to them.

Personally, I would NEVER take a job that demanded I be a Public Speaker, but Care Plan Meetings, really are, not bad at all.

If you run into a situation where there is a major Resident/Family issue, get the DON/ADON in the Meeting Immediately.

Some Buildings (mine included) do not have the MDS Coordinators tied up in Care Plan Meetings & if it's a Rehab to home Resident, I have found that the main concern is Therapy--how the resident is progressing & when can they go home.

[luvtolearn]

Thank you! That is what I was hoping! Now do you think if I took the AANAC certification that it would help me get my foot in the door?

[Bella'sMyBaby]

Thank you! That is what I was hoping! Now do you think if I took the AANAC certification that it would help me get my foot in the door?

Well, there was a recent thread on this subject.

Some Corporations pay for their MDS Coordinators to get AANAC Certified.

I have found that most Companies will not hire someone for MDS unless they are experienced.

Before I had MDS experience, I interviewed in several facilities; they would not hire me due to lack of experience.

I then applied for an MDS Position outside the City I live in (30 miles away).

I got the job because there was no Competition & they were Desperate!!

Let me tell you I was Determined & proved to this Company I could do it!

Two Years later, I was Ranked #4 in the Central Region of the U.S. for a Major LTC Corporation.

So there is hope for you, if this is what you really want to do!! :)