State nurse consultant

[cb1986]

Hello, I am new here and would like to know if anyone has any experience in DHSS Nurse Consultant jobs. I will be interviewing for one and would like to know how satisfied others were that have worked in that role. My husband is hesitant due to the travel requirements. However, the job is M-Th 10 hour days and they can work out of a home office too. When I asked the DHSS they said that typically the nurses will go out on a Monday and come home Tuesday night. But that there are times that they have to stay into Wednesday. Aside from the actual surveys, all other paperwork is from your home office. Would the nurse have a state car for travel? If not, does anyone know what the pay for mileage is? I persopnally think this is ideal for me and my family, I just need to convince my huisband that! Any advice would be appreciated!

[elkpark]

I worked as a hospital surveyor for my state and CMS for several years. We traveled every week, at least two, often three, and sometimes four days a week. Sometimes, in the case of a complaint that sounded emergent, we were expected to leave for a survey on very short notice (like, go home, pack a bag, and go; or leave first thing the next morning). There were times that we had to meet with staff on evening or night shift (yes, 11-7) in order to do the interviews we needed to do. There were state cars available for travel, but you didn't get issued your own car; you carpooled with the other team members on the survey. Or, if you were doing a visit by yourself, you could pick up a car at the office and return it to the office at the end of the day. I had a laptop computer that enabled me to work from home some days, but I was not formally "working from home," and wasn't allowed to do so. The car thing might be different if you were formally working from home, and I'm sure the policies vary from state to state.

Lots of very detailed and technical writing, reports that have to stand up in court if necessary (and you would be called to testify about your report if a facility challenges your findings in court).

This type of job is really hard on families, esp. families with children. The people who like doing it really like doing it, and a lot of people try it and find it just doesn't work for them.

[cb1986]

Thanks for responding elkpark ! I appreciate the input! I really want to try this job but I have a pretty good job now and if I leave, I bet it would take years to get back into something like I do now. That is what scares me about changing jobs... so much to think about!