Can't believe the difficulty hiring CMs

Specialties Case Management

Published

We are a mid-size medical group with a growing Case Management department. We have had 3 positions open for over 6 months now. I'm ASTONISHED we've been unable to fill these jobs with qualified candidates. We have a very user-friendly online application system that SUPER CLEARLY states the requirements; it pays above market rate; full benefits, etc. And it's 9-5, M-F!

Yeah, we require BSN with at least a year of bedside......and I'm astounded we haven't had SWARMS of burnt-out bedside shift nurses FLOCKING to these positions. We advertise all over the place. It's so weird. Yes we have tons of new grad resumes we just toss. Sorry. (If I made the rules I'd totally hire new grads but oh well).

It's like we're yelling "Waaaaaanted!!!! CAAAAAASE MAAAAANAGERRRRS!" And all we are hearing is crickets! What's the problem?

Maybe your facility should recruit new grads and train them the way you'd like them to work. They're not yet burnt out and eager to make a difference. Talk to whoever makes those kinds of decisions. I am very detail oriented and love nursing, and I just took on case management after about 1 year at the bedside and 1 year in the clinic. Also, ADN nurses are just as good as BSN, we take the same test....

Specializes in CCM, PHN.

Believe me......I've begged, pleaded and cajoled the powers that be to hire new grads. They nix it every time. If I ran the joint I'd hire new grads with BSNs in a heartbeat. But I don't. I think it'd be a great jumping off point for new grads who want to get into public & community health nursing. But they INSIST on experience.

Specializes in OB, Family Practice, Pediatrics.

As Executive Director of a Maternal and Child Health Case Management agency, I agree with the OP on several points. It is difficult to find qualified applicants, because not everyone is suited to Case Management. It requires knowledge and experience in many different areas, with the ability to coordinate the multitude of services required, excellent communication skills, assessment skills, independent critical thinking skills and autonomy, emphasis on the impact of psycho-social determinants on health and many other things. That being said, I disagree that all of the things required are inherent in a BSN education. IMHO experience is much more valuable than a certain degree. If you could get the powers-that-be to let you change the wording to "BSN Preferred or closely related qualifying experience", you may have better luck.

One other thing that stuck out for me was, "growing Case Management department". What does that mean? It may be that you are overloaded with patients because you have a good reputation in providing quality services; but what do employees say about working there? Employees talk. If you have had dissatisfied employees, that could affect new recruits. Even if you don't use your company name in your ad, over time people know who is who. Just my thoughts.

Specializes in PICU, NICU, L&D, Public Health, Hospice.
As Executive Director of a Maternal and Child Health Case Management agency, I agree with the OP on several points. It is difficult to find qualified applicants, because not everyone is suited to Case Management. It requires knowledge and experience in many different areas, with the ability to coordinate the multitude of services required, excellent communication skills, assessment skills, independent critical thinking skills and autonomy, emphasis on the impact of psycho-social determinants on health and many other things. That being said, I disagree that all of the things required are inherent in a BSN education. IMHO experience is much more valuable than a certain degree. If you could get the powers-that-be to let you change the wording to "BSN Preferred or closely related qualifying experience", you may have better luck.

One other thing that stuck out for me was, "growing Case Management department". What does that mean? It may be that you are overloaded with patients because you have a good reputation in providing quality services; but what do employees say about working there? Employees talk. If you have had dissatisfied employees, that could affect new recruits. Even if you don't use your company name in your ad, over time people know who is who. Just my thoughts.

this...

I must be working for a company that is the exception to the norm..our positions are filled with LPN'S , licensed social workers, and RN's for the more medically challenging cases. Other than signing off on some of the assessments, the LPN'S and social workers do the same work as the RN'S, which unfortunately looked great on the "position responsibilities" page when hired, but has deteriorated into mostly chasing DME requests, spending countless hours on the phone trying to locate physicians who work in our network, and other clerical work. I'm not in a position to determine if a college degree would be required for the job but reading the others posts, it appears our company sort of hybrid'ed the CM job into something else (which I'm disappointed with). They do not require a BSN , but do require previous floor experience (not specific on how much). I came from previous LTC and hospice care, but the challenge has been learning and keeping up with the changes on the insurance side of the work. Processes change frequently.

Specializes in Care Coordination, MDS, med-surg, Peds.

Hummm... I would be interested in this.... I am an RN with 15 years hospital exp in Med surg, Peds, Ortho, occupational health, behavioral health, 3 years with ID/DD individuals, 6 years Nursing home and am experienced with MDS, Unit manager and medicare/medicaid/insurance/managed care, sounds good? Nope! I am NOT a BSN.... maybe by requiring the BSN, you are missing out on some good, experieiced nurses who would love to apply!

Specializes in Clinical Research, Outpt Women's Health.

mds1 - please tell me you are in DFW? I have the perfect job for you........

Specializes in Care Coordination, MDS, med-surg, Peds.

CrunchRN... close....North NM

Have you looked up your companies profile on websites like Glassdoor? When I was looking for a position in case management, I found a multiple-state medical group similar to your description (but not based in SoCal) but it had horrible employee reviews. After reading the reviews I did not apply for the job despite a high salary, m-f, and full benefits.

I love Glassdoor if I had read the reviews on my former job I would never have taken it, before I took this case management position I am at now I looked at glassdoor and reviews were good and I took the job and am so happy. The advice is good...look at Glassdoor!

HR folks follow the dictates of the requisition if it states BSN required. This is such a pet peeve of mine. What about nurses like myself that have BA/BS in another field AND an ADN? Here in Massachusetts there is no consideration given to prior education, even if it would be of benefit in the posted position. I am not considered for any position that requires BSN even if you look at my education as a whole, I am more than qualified.

I wanted to come in here and feel like I was welcome and exchange information and ideas, but reading the postings... in some of your opinions because I am an LPN I am not educated enough to be in this career field. Thanks

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