Minimum data set (MDS) coordinators are licensed practical nurses (LPNs) or registered nurses (RNs) who are responsible for the federally regulated process that evaluates patient care in nursing homes and other long-term healthcare facilities.

MDS RN Salary:

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
$42,490

Registered Nurse (RN)
$66,640

Resident Assessment Coordinator
$65,038

Pros of an MDS Coordinator Career:

LPNs and RNs can expect higher-than-average job growth (25% for LPNs and 19% for RNs between 2012 and 2022)
Most long-term healthcare facilities have at least one MDS coordinator
Some employers offer on-the-job MDS training in coding, assessment and compliance reporting
Responsibilities are varied, and work can be done in urban, suburban and rural locations

Cons of an MDS Coordinator Career

Depending on the type of facility and size of staff, coordinators may have to handle additional administrative and nursing responsibilities
In some cases, hours can be long and irregular to accommodate shifts
Coordinators must manage individual patient needs and federally mandated regulations
Some physical risk may be present when dealing with different kinds of illnesses
Emotional attachments to patients and families can make it difficult to handle when patients leave care or die

Education requiremnets:

MDS coordinators begin their careers as LPNs or RNs.

Nurses at both levels must be licensed by their state of employment, which usually requires completion of a state-approved education program and passing nursing examinations administered by NCSBN.

To become an RN, you can enroll in Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs, as well as complete diploma programs offered by hospitals.

The NCSBN offers a National Council Licensure Examination for prospective practical nurses (NCLEX-PN) and registered nurses (NCLEX-RN).