Case Manager - New RN

[Ariellmae]

Hi everyone,

I am starting my associate RN program in January. This will be my second degree for me with my undergraduate being in counseling. My first job out of school was being a care manager for a state home care program. I worked there for two years and was able to become a certified CM. Looking at other positions I realized almost all of them required either your RN or MSW and I knew I didn't want to pursue my MSW so here I am.

My question is would it be possible to secure a care manger position out of RN school or will I need RN experience to be considered? I don't really have any interest in hospital nursing, I've heard very stressful things about LTC and home care nurses so I am lost on where I should get this experience if I do need it.

Thanks for any advice!

[Murse901, MSN, RN]

Case manager and care manager are two very different things. Which one are you asking about?

If you're asking if you can be a case manager right out of school, the answer is -- you might be able to find someone desperate enough to hire you, but you would be doing a huge disservice to yourself, your employer, and -- most importantly -- your patients. Nurse case managers should be very experienced nurses who have excellent critical thinking skills and solid clinical knowledge.

A care manager (for group homes, etc) is -- at least in my experience -- typically a non-clinical, administrative position. You can do this right out of school, but my question would be -- why bother? You will gain no skills and will essentially pigeonhole yourself into the position.

If hospitals aren't for you, and you're scared of LTC, what about clinic nursing? You really need to get your clinical skills and critical thinking developed before you start looking at non-clinical positions.