HELP. Telephonic case management Too good to be true?

Anna S, RN · Aug 31, 2015

Most companies are wanting BSNs only now.

I did telephonic case mgmt for two years, and it was awful. I attribute most of that to the company I worked for- very negative, and punitive. We were micromanaged down to the keystroke, treated like we were stupid little kids.

Things are very different from company to company, I'm sure.

There are a lot of advantages to working from home, to be sure.

My hire group consisted of seven nurses. All of us, with the exception of one disabled nurse, had left the company within 2.5 years of hire.

Working from home has many advantages, but I was bored to death- the hours dragged by.

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Aug 31, 2015

Psych experience will make you more valuable, especially in a (psych) disease-management model. And if you go to work comp, psych will be your friend dealing with everybody, including physicians and adjusters. :)

middleagednurse · Sep 1, 2015

It is possible. You will need a BSN. I suppose companies aren't all alike. I love the company I work for. Get BSN then keep your eyes open for job opps.

Been there,done that, ASN, RN · Sep 1, 2015

There are many different types of case management positions, as well as telephonic positions.

What EXACTLY is your goal right now? Get away from the bedside, work from home, etc.

It is possible for you to get a position with the big boys, but you have to market yourself. Have you studied the hiring process on UHG's web site? That alone will tell you what they are looking for.

I work from home , in a utilization management position with an ASN. Insurance companies are begging for experienced nurses to fill many roles. Disease management is a biggie.

Define your goals, scour the web sites... you are qualified.

Good luck.

theumchild91 · Sep 1, 2015

All of you have been so helpful. I just wanted to know that this goal I have is realistic and not just a pipe dream. I am working on my BSN now, and I am glad that be being a psych nurse will benefit me! My overall goal in the end would most likely be to work from home or in a building doing something like case management. Telephonic would be awesome! I don't want to work in the same job for the rest of my life. I want to grow and utilize my education and get my MSN in something (Its hard to pick a track for MSN I feel).

theumchild91 · Sep 1, 2015

Thanks! So helpful.

TonjiaT · Sep 9, 2015

I have a friend who just left CIGNA for that very reason. She has 30 years experience as an RN and has been a CM for 20 years. She said the micromanaging drove her crazy. it doesnt sound like something that I, as an experienced hospital CM/DCP would want to do.

thekid · Sep 17, 2015

I got in to case management based on my previous experience in long term care and hospice care. Our population was the aged, blind and disabled. When the company merged and brought on more SMI , I volunteered to take on many of those cases because I have always enjoyed psych nursing. The company I worked for went through a lot of changes. When the contract was nearing its end or renewal with the state, we all sat on eggshells wondering what would happen to our jobs. Our roles changed when the contract was renewed. I will say that maybe I was fortunate enough to work for a company that did NOT micro manage us very much. Possibly because the company was new to that area, or maybe I was lucky to have a supervisor that let me do my work. It was a good experience but I don't miss it much. I returned to bedside nursing.

thekid · Sep 17, 2015

Oh.. I later had a position as a RN case manager strictly for SMI (different company). The nurse turnover rate averaged 2 months, not kidding. I lasted nine months. There were a lot of problems with management but mostly, we did not receive a lot of training or support and despite the 50 hour work weeks, anything that went wrong with a client was always the fault of the case manager. We had our own company on our backs, the hospital discharge team on our backs, the insurance company, housing/shelter.. most of us felt that we were running on a treadmill. I dreaded Mondays.

rncm2010 · Feb 8, 2016

I love CM working for an insurance company from home. Totally independent but have my team for support if needed. It depends on the company you work for. The larger companies seem to micromanage staff, but if you get in with a smaller company (My company has like 1500 employees) then you won't get micromanaged as much. The pay may be lower though, too.

limitless-visions · May 17, 2017

Is it Humana by chance?? I'm almost scared to continue after all the reviews