Case Mgmt Experience/ New RN

KelRN215, BSN, RN · Jun 17, 2012

I'm doubtful that there are many places who will consider a new grad for a case management position. In order to be a NURSE case manager, one must be able to function independently as a nurse.

2dogsnocats · Jun 18, 2012

Well, your CNA and psych tech experience won't count, but your MA in psych and social worker credentials will be important. Many hospitals want a BSN in nursing, not sure if you are a BSN graduate or not. You really need nursing experience, however. I am a case mgr, I make suggestions to MD's, anticipate a patients course of care for the hospital and after, and communicate with insurance companies regarding care and length of stay. You don't know enough as a new grad to make decisions. Try working as a nurse on a diverse unit such as telemetry where you see all kinds of cases gives you a firm knowledge base to build upon. GOOD LUCK IN YOUR CAREER!!!!

I'm graduating with my BSN soon. I have the following:
1. CNA experience in a cardiac ICU (2 years)
2. Psych Tech experience (2 years)
3. BS and MA in Psych ...
4. 7 + years as Social Worker/ Case Manager
Will I have a shot at going straight into case mgmt, without experience on the floor? I really desire to go back into case mgmt ...

SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN · Jun 18, 2012

Welcome OP, I have a similar work and educational background. As the above poster has pointed out, you will not get credit for your past work experience outside of nursing because Nurse Case Management is not Social Work. This specialty requires clinical work experience in order to be effective. Do not get me wrong, there are New Grads that skip bedside nursing and work for various employers as Nurse CMs, but they do so at a major cost to their careers. First, such nurses do not receive very much money when he/she starts and are placed in situations that are either a danger to his/her license or they are placed in a very limited areas of Case Management where the employer thinks he/she will do the least damage. Second, such nurses are limiting their careers. For example, most major employers refuse to hire nurses as a CMs with or without Nurse CM work experience if he/she does not have any bedside work experience. In fact, every job I have received in the hospital setting from major employers required me to prove that I worked as a bedside nurse for x number of years. Good luck!