Question:
Dear Donna,
What do I do to become a MDS coordinator? I’m an LPN transitioning to RN, but I would like to break into the administrative portion of this area.
Dear Donna,
What do I do to become a MDS coordinator? I’m an LPN transitioning to RN, but I would like to break into the administrative portion of this area.
Mildred
Dear Donna replies:
Dear Mildred,
Some states have MDS (minimum data sets) training courses. Do an Internet search for “MDS training in [your home state]” and see what comes up. You can also contact the Association of Assessment Coordinators at http://www.aanac.org for more information about this specialty and related training. And if you already work in a long-term care facility, ask the MDS coordinators there how you can learn more. You might even consider volunteering in the department (if no paid position is available) to learn the ropes and get a foot in the door. Volunteering often leads to paid employment
Donna Cardillo, RN, MA, well-known career guru, is Nursing Spectrum/NurseWeek’s “Dear Donna” and author of Your First Year as a Nurse: Making the Transition from Total Novice to Successful Professional and The ULTIMATE Career Guide for Nurses: Practical Advice for Thriving at Every Stage of Your Career. Information about the books is available at www.nurse.com/CE/7010 and www.nurse.com/CE/7250, respectively. To ask Donna your question, go to www.nurse.com/asktheexperts/deardonna. Find a “Dear Donna” seminar near you: Call (800) 866-0919 or visit http://events.nursingspectrum.com/Seminar.
Dear Mildred,
Some states have MDS (minimum data sets) training courses. Do an Internet search for “MDS training in [your home state]” and see what comes up. You can also contact the Association of Assessment Coordinators at http://www.aanac.org for more information about this specialty and related training. And if you already work in a long-term care facility, ask the MDS coordinators there how you can learn more. You might even consider volunteering in the department (if no paid position is available) to learn the ropes and get a foot in the door. Volunteering often leads to paid employment
Good luck,
Donna
Donna Cardillo, RN, MA, well-known career guru, is Nursing Spectrum/NurseWeek’s “Dear Donna” and author of Your First Year as a Nurse: Making the Transition from Total Novice to Successful Professional and The ULTIMATE Career Guide for Nurses: Practical Advice for Thriving at Every Stage of Your Career. Information about the books is available at www.nurse.com/CE/7010 and www.nurse.com/CE/7250, respectively. To ask Donna your question, go to www.nurse.com/asktheexperts/deardonna. Find a “Dear Donna” seminar near you: Call (800) 866-0919 or visit http://events.nursingspectrum.com/Seminar.
