How many inpatient case managers work 7 day schedules as exempt employees?

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Specializes in Critical Care, Insurance Case Management.

I started this new inpt job, and I knew they were working toward adding more weekend coverage. Now that I have been there 3 months, they added a holiday rotation, and plan on moving to a 7 day schedule in the fall. Exempt employees mean no weekend differential, and no holiday pay. Is this the norm? I am seriously thinking about leaving already as I can see burnout in my future with 20 patient caseloads, 7 days rotations, and the mandate of seeing patients within 24 hours of admission = which is impossible.

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No, it's not the norm. It does not even sound legal.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Insurance Case Management.

It's legal, it is the same as floor nurses work - rotating thru weekends, only this is for salary. We have already been reminded twice by email our company policy for exempt staff is regular pay for weekends and holidays. We should be hourly with that type of schedule, but of course they would like to change all the case management dept to salary, including resource, float and utilization management folks. It is a sneaky way to get rid of overtime pay. Many companies want to do it. My ex told me if you are expected to report at a set time, and work a set shift, you are considered non-exempt. Management staff usually have more flexibility, but it also means they may work 12 hour days if needed. And that is the policy - "if you are needed for weekend coverage, you work it at regular pay" All the supervisors have that policy too. Don't forget legal only counts for unions and federal employees, not private industry "at will" employees. I am really rethinking this job - too stressful and fast paced for too little money to tolerate 7 day a week scheduling. At 51, I feel I have earned a more predictable job at a higher salary, now I feel I am getting thrown right back to the days when I was in my 20's and 30's and I was trying to advance my career. Why get 30 years experience and a masters degree when you can be scheduled with this life at only $59,000 a year?????? No wonder nurses leave the profession. I just jumped back in to it, and I made $55,000 back in 1991 with a company car. I feel terrible I have only been there 90 days and already I am regretting it. It is not the job - half of it is real case management. the rest is bull. They try to have case managers wear too many hats and they are effective at none of it.

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Specializes in med/surg, TELE,CM, clinica[ documentation.

We are exempt and work a 40 hour week that is comprised of 5 , 8 hour shifts. Our hospital is now a "7" day a week hospital which means there is "7" day coverage. Meaning that weekends are covered while people still have 2 days off each week. Our case load is up to 25 per case manager but we sometimes have 30 or more. We also are expected to see "every" patient within 24 hours of admission whether simple or complex and is is an extremely hard job. We do it all too CM and UR combined into one job. I agree with the previous poster , it is illegal to expect you to work 7 days without time off even if you are exempt. I wonder how many other facilities (hospitals) are actually "7" day hospitals that have CM and SW there everyday. :uhoh3:

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Specializes in Critical Care, Insurance Case Management.

I am sure they will still have a "40 hour" week, but still - that schedule is not a "normal" life. So, if you had an opportunity to work a county job that is truly M-F, no weekends and no holidays, maybe less money - would you do it? I just feel like a quitter, after working so hard to get that job. It just seems to me to be unfair to expect folks to work weekends and holidays without any kind of shift differential. Or is that the norm in hospitals' management staff?

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Specializes in med/surg, TELE,CM, clinica[ documentation.

I would take a little less pay for a guaranteed M-F schedule with less stress any day. The CM job goes on and on and on and on. It is a difficult one and can be so gut wrenching at times because regs and insurance guidelines tie your hands and there is only so much funding available. Who knows what reform will bring.:yawn:

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Specializes in Cardiac, Utilization Review, Geriatrics,.

With the concern for RAC's, i think the weekend staffing will be increasing. The concern being that medicare can review for appropriate level of care in retrospect and recoup monies if not appropriate. I am only per diem in case management, work about a weekend/month , but they are likely to increase the weekend expectation which is tough if you did not sign up for it..

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Tele, PCU.

Is it possible to continue bedside nursing and do per diem case management or utilizaion review?

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Specializes in med/surg, TELE,CM, clinica[ documentation.

If you can find a place that is hiring PRN case managers, you can work per diem. It may be a good way to see if you like it or not.

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