Home health to CM?

[tinderbox]

Any case managers here who previously worked in home health? I realize that case managing exists in home health as well, but from I've heard, the two types are quite different.

How would you compare your job satisfaction, hours, and work-life balance?

Thanks in advance!

[twinpumpkin]

What you have heard is correct. They are totally different types of CM. Instead of working in the field and interacting with patients in person, providing hands-on nursing care and education, I now work in an office, sit in a cubicle all day, have no window to even look outdoors and interact with my patients via telephone and computer. While I do miss interacting with my patients, the hours are definitely better in corporate CM - I work 4 days a week, 0830-1730 with an hour for lunch, no nights, weekends or holidays and get paid holidays. The work-life balance is much better, too. As a home health CM, I often was finishing my charting for the day after my kids went to bed and never knew exactly what time I was going to get home each night, due to possible patient complications, traffic, etc. In my experience, the potential income is better in non-HH case management. I am bored at times and never planned or wanted to work in the corporate world. However, I do remind myself that I am still helping patients who are ill and there is a support system among our group of care coordinators/case managers.

I hope that my description gives you a glimpse of the differences/similarities of case management in various locations.

Good luck!

Twinpumpkin