My job description has the heading of "MDS Coordinator/Supervisor" and I was hired with the understanding that it may become necessary for me to fill in as a charge nurse if needed. As a coordinator I work 7-3:30 pm M-F and every 5th weekend. I feel blessed because I also share weekend rotation with 4 other nurses; The Medicare Coordinator, Staff Development, Rehab. Nurse and the other coordinator. These other nurses come in and generally work 8-4:30pm M-F; with the Staff Development person working 10-7 pm a couple days a week. Each of us has had to work the floor for a shift or so now and then, but there is no one to take our places when we do and our work gets behind. We each struggle to get our work done and have way too much to do; as well as supervise the LPN's on the floors.
----- Original Message ----- From: "Brenda Chance" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Friday, November 14, 2003 7:51 AM Subject: RE: simple question > I'm not saying you have to be a martyr but sometimes you have to work > extra. In my building, I am part of nursing administration and I do > work the floor some to help out. If the resident's needs are not met, > then what we are putting on a piece of paper is not worth a flip. And > actually, for me, it is refreshing to get out there and be with the > residents in a care giver aspect. I truly love hands on nursing and > enjoy this part of it. It also helps in the assessment process. > > I am not saying I do this everyday, but I do probably 1-2 days per > month. Also, I have occasionally worked a Sunday. It is not a every > weekend experience. I have decided a long time ago when I nearly worked > myself to death that a job would not be my life. But, I do want my MDS > and care planning to be done timely, so sometimes it calls for going > above and beyond. > > I went into this profession to take care of people. Sometimes, it is > called biting the bullet. I too became a nurse during the nursing > shortage and have worked many long hard hours. I just believe that > nursing is a calling not just a job and I will do what I can to ensure > my residents are taken care of. I am not saying you need to be a > scapegoat. The original question was, "Do any of you have to work > Sundays to get the job done?" I only stated yes, it comes with the > territory. I am sure at least 75% of nursing administration > occasionally has to work a Sunday to get the job done. > > Brenda W. Chance, RN, RAC-C > MDS Coordinator > > > CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This e-mail message, including any attachments, > is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain > confidential > and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or > distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, > please > contact the sender by reply e-mail and destroy all copies of the > original > message. > > -----Original Message----- > From: Corey [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > Sent: Thursday, November 13, 2003 6:46 PM > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Subject: Re: simple question > > Wow, please forgive me Brenda, but this is one that you and I will > forever > disagree on! > > I have worked many a place where I was "expected" to do whatever was > needed > to get assessments done on time, despite being on call for a week at a > time > at the same facility, and not getting overtime for working the floor > because > I was "administrative staff". I have worked 24 hours in 24 ( one as > MDS, > and the next two as the floor nurse to cover the "call-ins") and then > told I > was expected to work that next day because the Medicare meeting still > had to > be done and we were having 2 admissions that day, and I was the MDS > nurse. > So I did it. Guess what? It became expected, and the next time I > refused > to work the floor for the next 16 hours after getting up from the 7 > hours I > had just worked as the MDS co-ordinator, I was fired. After all, the > home > just wasn't making that much money, y'know? But they still had the > owner's > personal Persian rugs from home brought into the facility every 3 months > to > be cleaned and billed to the facility. > > When I first became a nurse, in 1971, I was required to kneel in my > dress to > the DON for my first week to prove my skirt touched the floor. We were > not > allowed to wear pants, and lipstick was an offense for which you could > be > expected. I was expected to kneel in the hallway when the priest > passed, or > to go into a patient room and stand behind a door until he passed (that > was > because I was Jewish.) I was expected to stand when the doctor came to > the > nursing station, so he could have the seat I was using to chart in. > Nowadays, most of the younger nurses stand there with their mouths open > in > shock to hear it. Why? Because, judged by TODAYs standards, it is > clearly > unreasonable. At some point, we become responsible to make our own > decisions and standards. > > Things change over time, as did the concept of slavery. I may need to > work > a weekend, AT MY CHOICE, but because I am not a slave, I flatly refuse > to > allow anyone to tell me my time, unpaid, is expected. I will stay if no > nurse shows up to care for the patients, because there's that neat > patient > abandonment law, but not otherwise, not any more. I live in Michigan, > and > this state just had to have the Board of Nursing not too long ago pass a > resolution stating that no investigation would be made as to revoking a > nurse's license for refusing to involuntarily stay for overtime because > the > facility was "short" and couldn't find another nurse. (You see, a > number of > hospitals were telling nurses at 2:55pm and 10:55pm that they HAD to > work > the next shift because they would otherwise be reported for abandoning > their > patients. Often, this was known to administration several days in > advance, > and they "couldn't afford" the pool nurse.) > > It DOESN'T come with the territory! It comes from unreasonable > expectations > from unreasonable people, and especially with gratuitously greedy people > (known as owner/administrators) who believe money is often more > important > than the people who work for them. > > Corey > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Brenda Chance" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Sent: Thursday, November 13, 2003 3:36 PM > Subject: RE: simple question > > > I do many times! It goes with the territory! > > Brenda W. Chance, RN, RAC-C > MDS Coordinator > > > CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This e-mail message, including any attachments, > is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain > confidential > and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or > distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, > please > contact the sender by reply e-mail and destroy all copies of the > original > message. > > -----Original Message----- > From: Bryan Sims [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > Sent: Thursday, November 13, 2003 12:49 PM > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Subject: Re: simple question > > Hi, I requested internet service, so that I can take advantage of > looking up > info re MDS, and since my DON and ADON are both very MDS savvy it was > done > the next day. Have a good day. > > How many MDS coordinators work weekends, incl Sundays to get all of > there > work done? > > bryan > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Carol O'Brien" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Sent: Wednesday, November 12, 2003 1:45 PM > Subject: Re: simple question > > > > I guess we are really lucky here. When I was hired, the administrator > asked > > specifically if I would mind accessing the group and sharing things > with > > her, the asst admin, and DON. > > > > > > >From: "Corey" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > >Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > >To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > >Subject: Re: simple question > > >Date: Wed, 12 Nov 2003 15:33:10 -0500 > > > > > >I would actually estimate that most of us do NOT have email at work. > In > > >many of my positions in the past, I have been either scolded, written > up > or > > >actually fired once, for reading this list serv, or the one that > preceded, > > >at work. Often, as another on this list serv wrote, either the DON > or > the > > >Administrator don't really understand all of the in's and out's of > the > > >process, and the actual relationship of income to careful scheduling > and > > >coding of the MDS. Many of them think of 5,14,30,60, etc. as the > actual > > >dates, and no amount of explanation helps. Most often, reading email > has > > >been considered "surfing" the internet during work hours. Actually > showing > > >the downloads, such as the manual, the email filings and addresses, > > >postings by CMS, etc., are considered things that are "private > interest" > > >and should be done "on your own time at home". Several years ago, > the > DON > > >had the modem removed from the submission computer so that all > submissions > > >needed to be done from the administrator's computer, which was fine > until > > >the day the MDS team needed to use her computer for the submission. > The > > >next day, the modem was returned, but all use of internet explorer > was > > >blocked, which lasted until they needed to look up something and > realized > > >they had shot themselves in the foot. (I suppose it's rude to > giggle, > > >isn't it?) > > > ----- Original Message ----- > > > From: Michelle Witges > > > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > > Sent: Wednesday, November 12, 2003 12:20 PM > > > Subject: Re: simple question > > > > > > > > > I have noticed in the past day or so that several of us on the > list > > >serve have indicated that they do not have access to email at work. > I > just > > >took for granted that most of us access the list while at work. Is > there > > >some reason or rationale that those of us who do not have access at > work? > > >Just curious. > > > Michelle > > > ----- Original Message ----- > > > From: Corey > > > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > > Sent: Wednesday, November 12, 2003 9:25 AM > > > Subject: Re: simple question > > > > > > > > > Cathy: > > > During my 10 years in MDS, I have only had 2 jobs where we were > > >allowed internet access to get email. Got fired from one job for > going > on > > >line to look something up at the CMS site. It was considered > "surfing". > > > ----- Original Message ----- > > > From: Cathy Petros > > > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > > Sent: Wednesday, November 12, 2003 8:55 AM > > > Subject: RE: simple question > > > > > > > > > Try to take some time during your work day to review the > emails. > I > > >consider it part of my job to be informed. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > This e-mail, and any attachments there to, is intended for use > by > > >the addressee(s) named herein, and may contain legally privileged > and/or > > >confidential information. If you are not the intended recipient of > this > > >e-mail, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution > or > > >copying of the e-mail, and any attachment thereto, is strictly > prohibited. > > >If you have received this e-mail in error, please immediately notify > me > by > > >telephone at 207-866-4914 and permanently delete the original and any > copy > > >of any e-mail and any printout thereof. > > > > > > -----Original Message----- > > > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On > Behalf > > >Of katie fox > > > Sent: Wednesday, November 05, 2003 9:44 PM > > > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > > Subject: Re: simple question > > > > > > > > > > > > Hi > > > > > > I do have a manual and it is on my lap the whole time I am at > the > > >computer. We are the only facility on the island that does MDS. We > are > > >very small, 25-35 residents. I did not get much training, as our > > >consultant was trying to catch us up from our computer going down in > June, > > >she was there for two weeks. I started in the middle of August. > > >(surveyors came on my second day on the job) I do all the sections > some > > >of the time and some of the time I can get our other departments > > >(activities, social services) to do their sections. Therapy always > comes > > >through for me and they give me the information for their section. > > > > > > I did join AANAC and have been reading emails almost every > night > > >after work. > > > > > > > > > > > > Katie Fox, RN > > > Seaview Nursing and Rehabilitation Facility > > > St. Thomas, Virgin Islands > > > 340-777-3303 ext. 114 > > > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > > > > > > From: dfrias > > > > > > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > > > > > Sent: Wednesday, November 05, 2003 8:32 PM > > > > > > Subject: Re: simple question > > > > > > > > > > > > Welcome Katie! > > > > > > I think the best place for you to start is the RAI > Manual...do > you > > >have one? > > > > > > > > > > > > Also, it will be very important for you to check out (and if > > >possible join) AANAC's membership. > > > > > > > > > > > > Tell us...how much training you have had in the process? > > > > > > When did you start? > > > > > > How many beds are you responsible for? > > > > > > What sections do you complete? > > > > > > > > > > > > Yes, you did ask a basic question...but we are all basic to > some > > >extent...as the regulations are always changing or being clarified. > So > > >feel free to ask basic questions...infact, we welcome them! You are > a > > >brave person to write...others like to lurk....so you may be asking a > > >question that others are thinking about. > > > > > > > > > > > > I won't bore you and others with the answers as I am sure > the > > >questions are being answered as I write this. > > > > > > > > > > > > A bit of advise.... > > > > > > Don't try to be a perfectionist you will disappoint > yourself. > > >Always, know you will always be learning regardless of the seminars, > > >conventions and articles...no one has it all! Which is the reason > you > can > > >feel free to ask the questions on this listserver...someone out there > may > > >have part of an answer and others will expound of that answer...this > is > all > > >part of growing with the MDS. Oh one last thing...try not to look at > the > > >position as a job...but rather as a career I do believe you will find > much > > >more rewarding. > > > > > > > > > > > > Good Luck, > > > > > > The Nose > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > > > > > > From: katie fox > > > > > > To: aanac > > > > > > Sent: Wednesday, November 05, 2003 6:54 PM > > > > > > Subject: simple question > > > > > > > > > > > > Hi > > > > > > I am very new to the whole MDS process and am trying to > learn > > >everything at once. I am the only one in this area that does this > job, > so > > >I am learning a lot from everyone's emails. (thank you) > > > > > > I have a very simple question-- What is the time frame for > me > to > > >complete the MDS after the ARD? And how long for me to transmit? > > > > > > Forgive me for the basic question. > > > > > > > > > > > > Katie Fox, RN > > > Seaview Nursing and Rehabilitation Facility > > > St. Thomas, Virgin Islands > > > 340-777-3303 ext. 114 > > > > _________________________________________________________________ > > Is your computer infected with a virus? Find out with a FREE computer > virus > > scan from McAfee. Take the FreeScan now! > > http://clinic.mcafee.com/clinic/ibuy/campaign.asp?cid=3963 > > > > /---------------------------------------------------------- > > The Case Mix Discussion Group is a free service of the > > American Association of Nurse Assessment Coordinators > > "Committed to the Assessment Professional" > > Be sure to visit the AANAC website. Accurate answers to your > > questions posted to NAC News and FAQs. > > For more info visit us at http://www.aanac.org > > -----------------------------------------------------------/ > > > > /---------------------------------------------------------- > The Case Mix Discussion Group is a free service of the > American Association of Nurse Assessment Coordinators > "Committed to the Assessment Professional" > Be sure to visit the AANAC website. Accurate answers to your > questions posted to NAC News and FAQs. > For more info visit us at http://www.aanac.org > -----------------------------------------------------------/ > /---------------------------------------------------------- > The Case Mix Discussion Group is a free service of the > American Association of Nurse Assessment Coordinators > "Committed to the Assessment Professional" > Be sure to visit the AANAC website. Accurate answers to your > questions posted to NAC News and FAQs. > For more info visit us at http://www.aanac.org > -----------------------------------------------------------/ > > > /---------------------------------------------------------- > The Case Mix Discussion Group is a free service of the > American Association of Nurse Assessment Coordinators > "Committed to the Assessment Professional" > Be sure to visit the AANAC website. Accurate answers to your > questions posted to NAC News and FAQs. > For more info visit us at http://www.aanac.org > -----------------------------------------------------------/ > > > /---------------------------------------------------------- > The Case Mix Discussion Group is a free service of the > American Association of Nurse Assessment Coordinators > "Committed to the Assessment Professional" > Be sure to visit the AANAC website. Accurate answers to your > questions posted to NAC News and FAQs. > For more info visit us at http://www.aanac.org > -----------------------------------------------------------/ > /---------------------------------------------------------- The Case Mix Discussion Group is a free service of the American Association of Nurse Assessment Coordinators "Committed to the Assessment Professional" Be sure to visit the AANAC website. Accurate answers to your questions posted to NAC News and FAQs. For more info visit us at http://www.aanac.org -----------------------------------------------------------/
