What to look for in a case management position?

You are right thare will be a huge paycut, be careful to make sure you can really budget that , though the hours would be far more attractive. Are you the only case manager? On call how often? On call could mean, work almost all day without additional compensation. In case mgmt. you are it. Everyday you stay until all your work is done because there are not others in the organization that can do what your doing. I was told I would work 8 with a 1/2 hr lunch , but I usually work 10-11 and no lunch. Weekends off is fine, but I had to give up a day off during the week, which I miss.
Insurers are not always fun to deal with, some of them get, downright harassing.
You are only a nurse for 3 yrs, I would think it would be difficult to get back into the hospital as a staff nurse after being in the community if you end up not liking the role. Where I work, I know of no case manager with under 7 yrs of experience as a nurse. Experience counts when you are trying to take in the "whole picture". Good Luck!!
I missthe pt interaction, though I have some, I am far to busy to have a nice conversation with colleagues or patients.

hey cmarie81,

IF everything checks out to be fine according to the post above(edgwow) and you can afford to take a paycut I would take the job. Ive been a nurse for 9 years and yes i got burned out. I've been working on my first job as a case manager for a month. It took me three months to find this job. The market is very competitive for case mangement in nursing (people get in these jobs and stay or the company requires experience-but how can you get experience if noone will give you the oppurtunity). If you want to go back to the floor there wll always be an oppurtunity to do that but at least you will have cm experience which will open the door later on if you do get burned out. I can say this that since I have left the bedside I feel so much better physically and mentally. And even though I'm having to work m-f compared to 3 days a week I would not trade it for the anything.

Anybody from NJ doing No Fault CM?

It is good to be multi diverse in the course of our nursing career. Case manager is very multi tasking and in most facility , a thankless job. You need a place of which the system or process is in place, if not, ask them if you can help and modify to make it working and more efficient so you can work it smart and not necesarily hard.
#1 concern is beware of micromanaging by your supervisor, specially in case managing, this is like water and oil and will never mix together. A supportive supervisor goes a long way and can get more cooperation from the staff. #2 Are the equipment in place ? Ex. you need to fax info to an insurance company or some info to SNF for transfer,is the fax machine fixed and able and not in another floor?
#3 Do you have the full lists of referrals within your facility and the community referrals.
#4 Lastly, have a good working mentor at least until you are confident .
I am one of those that believe that anything can be done if properly taught , provided the correct tools to work with, such as a fax and and a cell phone . Some nurses will do their "eat their young" thing on you, but there are still those that gladly helps their co nurses, so ignore the
and do your best to do the job to your fullest capacity.
Hope I helped.