is hospice case mgmt good learning?

[rearviewmirror]

Hello, I am a bedside RN trying to break into case mgmt world because I want to see the big picture, and I won't lie, I am burnt out of direct care, but please don't misunderstand that I see cm as a way to escape bedside. I just was always fascinated by the cm side of nursing, where you are able to actually think and use your head instead of almost blindly following orders even if you had your idea.

Is hospice case management a good stepping stone/learning ground for someone who is trying to break into case management? Thank you.

[rearviewmirror, BSN, RN]

Ahh... I did not know this. Rearview, did you ask what the Hospice CM position you are applying for entails?

it sounded to me like you as the hospice cm would visit facilities or homes the company is contracted to, assess and continue to meet needs of pts that qualify for hospice. I did tell them how I feel about bedside/direct care. I have enjoyed it, but I am looking for something different now, and they understood, said this position would definitely not involve as much direct care as hospital nurse would get herself into, but more like coordinating resources such as chaplain, volunteer, social worker, meds, etc. It would be unreasonable to ask for no-direct contact at all with this position (such as telephonic cm), but I am looking forward to not doing 12hrs at-the-bedside-all-times kind of direct patient care.

[SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN]

thanks for your comments, I did mention however that I am not seeking cm just to get away from bedside, but yes I will be true and honest I had enough of bedside nursing and I do want regular hours, no back breaking physical work, ability to think on my own, immense opportunity to learn, the possibilities are endless, and these are the things that yourself are enjoying right now. I mean, you left the bedside too, but I am not assuming you did this to run away from the bedside, so why are you judging and making assumption that I am? :)

I did not and do not judge anyone for leaving bedside for any reason to include you. In fact, I was pointing out that your post reads that you were not looking to perform the tasks of a bedside nurse based upon the bold statement.....

According to what they say in the interview, there is not much of direct care as in terms of physical labor, but more like you assess the pt and coordinate resources in what they need. That sounds like a deal to me. Direct patient care was a good years of learning experience, but I want something different.

In my experience, interviews are set up to recruit as much as they are to screen people in and out of a position. For example, if the interviewers are comparing ED Nursing to Hospice and Home Health, then they are technically correct that it is not the same. However, it is still bedside care and has physical demands. I think it is best for you to go to the Hospice Nursing forum to get a better sense of the type of nursing you will be doing in the job: https://allnurses.com/hospice-nursing/.

By the way, I am back at the bedside. Case Management is an outstanding specialty to be in, which is why I still perform the job PD, but it is limited in promotional opportunities in the hospital setting. The clinical bedside has more opportunities in comparison within the hospital setting and so I am also an ANM.

[rearviewmirror, BSN, RN]

I did not and do not judge anyone for leaving bedside for any reason to include you. In fact, I was pointing out that your post reads that you were not looking to perform the tasks of a bedside nurse based upon the bold statement.....

In my experience, interviews are set up to recruit as much as they are to screen people in and out of a position. For example, if the interviewers are comparing ED Nursing to Hospice and Home Health, then they are technically correct that it is not the same. However, it is still bedside care and has physical demands. I think it is best for you to go to the Hospice Nursing forum to get a better sense of the type of nursing you will be doing in the job: https://allnurses.com/hospice-nursing/.

By the way, I am back at the bedside. Case Management is an outstanding specialty to be in, which is why I still perform the job PD, but it is limited in promotional opportunities in the hospital setting. The clinical bedside has more opportunities in comparison within the hospital setting and so I am also an ANM.

Thanks for your comment honestly. I completely understand that some people can genuinely enjoy bedside/direct care, I however hate it and I have my multiple reasons, and you read me absolutely right, I don't want to do it anymore.

I expect myself to go in the room, assess, talk to them, review, chart, and refer to other team if needed. I don't expect to do cleaning, med administration, drawing blood, and any other nursing tasks. Yes I will have to see and assess patient, but you catch what I mean. And it's not to say that these are bad, but it's just that I don't want to take part in it anymore, that's all. I don't think no one should be judged for not wanting to do it anymore after doing it for years (and you said you don't).

Now as I understand, CM is the business side of nursing, all about cost containment, prevention, coordinating, meeting needs. I want to do that, not doing the bodily-taxing labor all my career. It suits my desires a lot more.

[SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN]

I expect myself to go in the room, assess, talk to them, review, chart, and refer to other team if needed. I don't expect to do cleaning, med administration, drawing blood, and any other nursing tasks. Yes I will have to see and assess patient, but you catch what I mean.

I think given your desire plus your clinical bedside background, a better fit for you is either ED CM or Inpatient CM. Either position you can get if out talk to the hiring managers of the Case Management department at your current or former employers' facility. Many may want an experienced case manager, but usually are willing to accept an inexperienced staff nurse who is familiar with their facility and staff and willing to train. Good luck! :)