Excited about a new job!

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jun 22, 2016

I assume this will be either hospital case management or skilled nursing facility case management. If so, you'll be managing and coordinating the patient's care throughout the hospital stay. The process starts from the time of admission, and you'll be planning each aspect of the patient's discharge.

Many patients and families are unhappy with the limits of what their insurance plans will and will not pay for. Therefore, anger is often displaced onto the hospital case manager simply because you are there.

ErinRN2012 · Jun 22, 2016

Thank you for the information. It is a position in a hospital. Also, it sounds like the thick skin I've developed working the floor for the last few years will come in handy.

JVLims · Jun 25, 2016

Did you really apply for and accept a case management job not understanding what it entails? Can you envision a nurse landing next to you on the tele unit saying s/he didn't know anything about tele but thought s/he'd give it a whirl? Not trying to sound harsh, but case management is a specialty that is fast paced and involves a steep learning curve. Your experience will no doubt help you since internal triage is a necessary component of what you have been doing on tele. Case management nursing has multiple foci, the central one being advocacy for the patient while moving them through the care continuum at the right pace with the right resources to achieve best outcomes. It's marked by a lot of competing objectives, like supporting efficiency, keeping cost of care under control without sacrificing quality of care. It requires a deep knowledge of both state and federal entitlements and local/regional resources. CM requires great nursing assessment skills as you are often the person who brings all stakeholders together to advocate for what next steps will lead to a safe and effective discharge plan. You will need that thick skin you referred to and all your charm because you will be present at, and often leading, difficult discussions with families and patients, especially when their unrealistic expectations must be addressed in a firm but kind way ("why can't my mother stay another week in the hospital? What do you mean my insurance does not cover this treatment? I have Medicare, what do you mean it doesn't pay for everything?"). Add to this taking an assertive role with doctors on both collegial and unpleasant subjects alike and, if this still sounds good, get yourself some books on case management, join ACMA or your regional CM professional organization. Go to the CCMC website and start learning.

ErinRN2012 · Jun 27, 2016

Thank you for the feedback. I have been pouring over everything I can get my hands on to try to get a good understanding of the job. I have more than a month before I start so I plan to spend most of that time getting familiar.

SnowyJ, RN · Jun 28, 2016

ErinRN2012, Admittedly, I am not a Case Manager, BUT a number of my previous co-workers left floor nursing for Case Management and they really like it! You will learn as you go, and I am sure you will have a lot of people around to assist you. New beginnings can be tough, but most things in life that are worthwhile start out as a challenge. Best of luck to you.

ErinRN2012 · Jun 28, 2016

Thanks for the encouragement SnowyJ :) I try to live by the motto "you can't grow unless you step out of your comfort zone". Rather than shy away from new challenges and experiences I tend to meet them head on, and I hope I will be as determined to tackle this next adventure. Thank you again for the words of encouragement!