Case Managers - In House

[coolnurse42]

Hey all,

I just accepted a position as an In-house RN Case Manager for a MLTC agency. Very very excited!! For the past year, I have worked in home health as Case Manager in the field and I love it. I love the autonomy and being in the community. However, I am ready for a change. I work in the Northeast in a major metropolitan area. Majority of my patients physical conditions are complications of their psycho-social circumstances. The CHHA I work for is notorious for overworking their nurses. I am exhausted. This is a welcomed break. Nursing is a second career for me; my previous career was in Logistics, so transitioning back to an office setting won't be difficult. I do plan to keep working part-time for my current agency (CHHA) on the weekends.

Long-term goal is to become an agency Director for either a CHHA or MLTC. I would like some career advice about the Case Management path. i.e. Case Management certification vs MSN (or both) and the other skills necessary to becoming a qualified agency director.

Thanks in advance.

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

You'll have to get a case mgmt certification, that's for sure. Hook up with the CMSA (If you're in New England, CMSNE is a great group) for networking and CE. You can get a graduate nursing degree in case management, or you might consider one in health management per se, to support your long-range plan.

[PeacockMaiden]

There are a few masters degree programs with a specialty in case management. I just graduated from Samuel Merritt University with a MSN with case management specialty. I know a few other universities also offer this specialty.

[Georgia peach RN]

Just want to add as a Nurse who works in different departments in a small rural hospital who has a case manager on staff from early am til around 11 pm, I LOVE CASE MANAGEMENT NURSES!

[coolnurse42]

Thanks all for your replies. @Grntea, is it too soon for me to complete the CM certification. I have read other sources that suggest having 2+ years of CM experience. And I would assume CSM certification should come before the MSN??

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

Thanks all for your replies. @Grntea, is it too soon for me to complete the CM certification. I have read other sources that suggest having 2+ years of CM experience. And I would assume CSM certification should come before the MSN??

To sit the CCM exam you must have two years of experience. See the CCMC website for detailed information on those requirements. http://ccmcertification.org/

You would have to ask the individual MSN programs if they require CCM certification for admission; most people I know who have MSN in Case Mgmt had their CCM for years before they decided to go to grad school.