Can't believe the difficulty hiring CMs

[mclennan]

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?

[mlbluvr]

THIS is what I can't believe: A local case management company, that case manages Medicare HMO patients, ran an ad for 'nurse extender case managers'. The only requirement asked that 'some medical assisting background is helpful, but not required'. No degree or healthcare certification is required. So, they hire people off the street to manage their Medicare patients. Unreal. And? They are opening their FIFTH local office! It's bona fide, I checked it out. They also have speciality case management areas these unskilled people can choose from, such as intense diabetes intervention and management.OP wants BSNs, this outfit wants 'some medical assisting background'??Where is the force of the nursing industry as more and more untrained people are taking nursing jobs? The AMA doesn't roll over and play dead- in fact, I hear they are behind a push to limit nurse practitioners' scopes, and they are the reason several states won't permit naturopathic medicine- they are attemting to preserve their own livelihoods from the intrusion of lesser educated occupations.

[mlbluvr]

What I'd like to know is- if you have several CM positions open, that you can't fill for over six months- what happens to the work that needs done, to the patients thaat need managed? I'm curious- and this curiosity could extend to any vacant job- what happens when there is nobody to fill the position??

[RW23RN, BSN, RN]

Interesting-I'm thinking of leaving bedside (ICU) and agency work (ICU, MS, LTC) and getting into Case Management but I have been worried that I wouldn't be qualified. (5 years as RN, with BSN). Maybe I need to move where you are!

[laydiebuug]

I know the companies I worked for if a case manager left the case were divided among other case managers until the position(s) were filled.

[SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN]

Interesting-I'm thinking of leaving bedside (ICU) and agency work (ICU, MS, LTC) and getting into Case Management but I have been worried that I wouldn't be qualified. (5 years as RN, with BSN). Maybe I need to move where you are!

You qualify for entry-level Nurse Case Management positions. You do not qualify for positions that require CM certification (you need years of experience to sit for the right exams) and/or years of Nurse Case Management work experience. Therefore, start with your current employer. Talk to the hiring manager of the CM Department about your interest in becoming a CM and see if he/she is willing to hire and train you for an open position. Good Luck.

[mclennan, BSN, RN]

You qualify for entry-level Nurse Case Management positions. You do not qualify for positions that require CM certification (you need years of experience to sit for the right exams) and/or years of Nurse Case Management work experience. Therefore, start with your current employer. Talk to the hiring manager of the CM Department about your interest in becoming a CM and see if he/she is willing to hire and train you for an open position. Good Luck.

Whaaaaaat? Every company, every state, every position is different! You talk as if every single solitary CM position at every company in the world is exactly the same and has the same requirements. Not true at all!

She would totally qualify to work for us, not at "entry level" (whatever that means) either. Every company is different!

[SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN]

Whaaaaaat?...

Entry-level means that the company will train those without CM work experience. In fact, many will post job descriptions that include "willing to train" or "prefer X-number of years, but not required" even if they do not post the words entry-level.

Yes, every place is different, however in general some standards are the same. In fact, most nurses have a hard time landing CM jobs due to lack of Nurse Case Management experience (I am writing about real Case Management jobs and not just ones that have the title "Case Manager", but do not follow the standards of Case Management as listed by the Case Management Society of America - Case Management Society of America > Home).

For real Case Management jobs that require work experience, most if not all employers will not hire those without experience. Read through this forum to see multiple examples. On the other hand, there are entry-level positions available to nurses with clinical work experience (and at times New Grads).

This is why I also informed the original poster to attempt to find employment where he/she works first. A hiring manager that knows you and/or your reputation is more willing to hire you without work experience as a Case Manager because he/she has confidence in your ability to learn and add positively to the department.

You would be surprised how many people want to become Case Managers and have no idea what it is we do. And so, the turn-over rate in some places is extremely high due to the level of job dissatisfaction and disappointment. Training those that will not be retained more then a year is costly. At this time, hiring mangers of real Nurse Case Managers can choose to be picky no matter where he/she is located, although they may not pay the same.

[QualityNurse38]

I feel that MBARNBSN is correct. If she wants to be an inpatient hospital case manager and a good one, then she would qualify for entry level and receive the proper training. Now, if she wants to be a home health or a hospice case manager, then you are correct mclennan!!

When I was a Director of Case Managment, no experience = entry level so that they could be properly trained and mentored.

[ninna6]

Can someone please point me in the right direction? I was a labor and delivery nurse for almost 20 years. Due to an injury, i can no longer do "hands on" nursing. I am so devestated. My employer is talking to me about case management. I want to educate myself as much as possible, before i start this job. I would appreciate any suggestions. Thanks.

[SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN]

Can someone please point me in the right direction? I was a labor and delivery nurse for almost 20 years. Due to an injury, i can no longer do "hands on" nursing. I am so devestated. My employer is talking to me about case management. I want to educate myself as much as possible, before i start this job. I would appreciate any suggestions. Thanks.

Do you have access to professional Journals at work? If so, look up some that are Case Management related, they are very helpful and for free through your employer. Also check out: Case Management Society of America > Home for more of an understanding of Case Management as a whole.

BTW, I think if your employer is talking to you about becoming a Case Manager, you will get the training you need to be successful in your job. Good luck.

[Faby]

Hi; In which state are looking for a CM?

[mclennan, BSN, RN]

LA, CA. No new grads