How to make the transition?

[daisy78]

I have been an RN for 13 years. I am completing my MSN (Nursing Ed) next month. Most of my experience is in adult critical care, with the last several years being in ICU float pool in a large hospital system. I have also taught clinical PT for a couple of years.

I am starting to apply and interview for positions away from the bedside. It is beyond time! I went into my MSN Program not really knowing what I wanted to do. I do enjoy teaching, but I don't know if this is the right time in my life to make a FT career out of it.

I see many ads for case management nurses, both in the hospital and for insurance companies. How can I make myself a good candidate for these jobs without experience in case management? Is there a particular area that is better to start in (hospital vs. insurance company)? Is it better to start in utilization review?

[SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN]

It does not matter if you start in the hospital or for an insurance company. It does not matter if you choose to only work in UR or only as a D/C planner, Chronic Manager, Psych, etc.... or to do both UR and something else. Your choice will not hinder your ability to move around in this field. Your nursing clinical work experience and education are outstanding, but sadly, so is just about every other bedside nurse that wants to change to this specialty without any nursing work experience in Case Management. Therefore the only obstacle you may encounter is based upon your lack of Nursing Case Management work experience.

In this economy, managers prefer (and some require without posting it in the job description) nursing case management work experience. Thus, it will behoove you to first talk to the managers of the Department of Case Management (or whatever it is called) in your hospital and those of your former employers. Let the hiring mangers know that you are interested in an entry-level position within their department. If you have friends who are case managers, get them to put in a good word with their employers as well. Those are your best ways of landing your first CM position. Good luck.

[daisy78]

Thanks for your response. That is what I thought. So it is really just a matter of getting lucky in a way! I am just going to start applying and hope for the best. It seems whether it is education or case management, getting that first job is going to be tough.

[LithEruiel]

That's what I was wondering...all CM/UM job postings I've ever seen probably want previous experience...so how do you get the experience...