I really want a job in field case management! Help!

lovetoride · Sep 30, 2007

I'm in the same boat. I really want to get away from bedside nurisng, and most weekends and holidays. It's so frustrating. I need to do part-time though since I have small kids.

nfahren05 · Sep 30, 2007

I'm in the same boat. I really want to get away from bedside nurisng, and most weekends and holidays. It's so frustrating. I need to do part-time though since I have small kids.

It's very hard to find a part time position in case management; most positions are either full time, or prn. This is mostly due to the need for "follow through" throughout the week on actively managed cases. Part time CMs are more likely to be part of a job-sharing team than on their own. Have you spoken with nurses in your facility about how they got their positions, or if any are interested in job sharing? If you have several years of experience in nursing you may be able to find a hospital CM position where you can gain some experience. This will not completely eliminate the weekend/holiday scheduling (patients do have to get discharged on Thanksgiving and Christmas,) but it will greatly minimize it. It's very ususual, though not totally unheard of, for a new case manager to be put in a field position. Field CMs operate with little support, and this would be exceptionally difficult for a new hire.

lovetoride · Sep 30, 2007

It's very hard to find a part time position in case management; most positions are either full time, or prn. This is mostly due to the need for "follow through" throughout the week on actively managed cases. Part time CMs are more likely to be part of a job-sharing team than on their own. Have you spoken with nurses in your facility about how they got their positions, or if any are interested in job sharing? If you have several years of experience in nursing you may be able to find a hospital CM position where you can gain some experience. This will not completely eliminate the weekend/holiday scheduling (patients do have to get discharged on Thanksgiving and Christmas,) but it will greatly minimize it. It's very ususual, though not totally unheard of, for a new case manager to be put in a field position. Field CMs operate with little support, and this would be exceptionally difficult for a new hire.

I have tried to put in for a part-time position where I work, but a per-diem got it right away since they had experience :/ That's the problem, when a part-time finally opened up there is a per diem waiting in the wings :/

70sCat · Oct 8, 2007

I've applied for several case management jobs in this area (St. Petersburg, FL) and don't even get a bite (except to tell me that they have a floor RN position open in such n such dept). I'm told from other CM's that all the employers here want someone with CM experience, but how do you get experience if no one will hire you?? My BSN degree has gotten me nowhere pay-wise or opportunity-wise.

Sunflower3 · Oct 9, 2007

I understand your point here, because that's what I'm runnning into also. I've had several phone interviews but each one wants experience. Never mind that I have 17+ years of hospital nursing (all departments) to my name. Sighhhhh................

UnitRN01

MustangSallie1997 · Oct 12, 2007

KEEP TRYING !!!! I really wanted a case management position, but like others had no experience in it. All I had was L/D and Mother Baby experience, over 10 years of it. I just found a company looking for Case Managers with OB backgrounds. I did a review of the company and their web site, submitted my resume, got an interview, then AN OFFER !!! They were very impressed with the knowledge I had on their company already, because I had done my homework, I had also already checked into getting my CCM, I found that you have to have CM experience to even take the exam. Anyway, in about 6 months I will be able to telecommute, work from my home office, and I cant wait. I will be able to get my kids on and off the school bus, not worry if the birthday party is going to fall on my weekend to work, or if it is my year to work Christmas or Christams Eve !!

I guess what I am saying is KEEP LOOKING !! Never give up, do your home work learn the ins and outs of what a CM does, think of examples of things you have done in your career that are similar, get to know the company BEFORE you go into interview and BE CONFIDENT. Dont focus on what you dont have ( CM experience) and sell what you do have and that is you knowledge of nursing and healthcare.

Good luck to all, I wish you all success !!

LIFE IS A :monkeydance: (monkey dance) ENJOY IT !!!

70sCat · Oct 19, 2007

I was finally offered a job in Home Health/Case Management, yay! The company knows of my lack of experience (but huge desire to learn the job!) and is willing to spend the time training me. The pay and bennies are better than anything I've had up-to-date. :lol2:

lawrence1.rice · Oct 20, 2007

I have been an RN for 16+ years, and an acute care case manager for 3 years now. I left my previous employer to enter a case management position after waiting for an internal opening for 3 years. Breaking into this field offers some interesting challenges.

#1 Everyone wants experience. A strong CM can have an unbelievable financial impact. Your clinical skills are a critical component that can get your foot in the door. Unfortunately, you may have to look at 2nd or even 3rd "tier" employers to get in with no experience. Take the low ball offer to get in the door, and within a few years worlds of opportunity open to you.

#2 Many payers (insurance companies) are moving to home based work as a mechanism of keeping wages down - they can offer less financial compensation as there is a more flexible schedule and no commute time.

#3 Network. Nothing works better. Go to every employer CEU offering, job fair, etc. to meet people.

#4 Plan on investing in a very serious educational experience. I also happen to have a degree in liberal arts. This has served me well, as the more well rounded your education is the more likely you are to be able to find a reference point to "break the ice" with a chronic personality disorder. You will have to deal with this disorder on a daily basis. Gotta love it. It's all in the challenge. My next target is an MBA-HCA. The sky is the limit. You are the only limiting factor, and only if you allow yourself to be.

#5 Never, ever give up. You can do this. Just look at all the challenges you have already learned to face with a smile.

Good Luck - also try posting your resume on Monster.com and Careerbuilder.com. I have never done this, but coworkers who have found themselves flooded with inquiries and offers.

lyv33 · Oct 23, 2007

Try Coventry Health Services. They have case management positions throughout the country. http://www.cvty.com

CaseManager1947 · Oct 24, 2007

This field is one that is associated with being in the right place at the right time, good fortune, or plain old dumb luck. Once people get in this job, it's kinda like somebody has to die for the job to become open:). But seriously, CM work is so interesting, different, and challenging, that I have found it to be the dream job I always wanted. Keep on with your dreams, like lawrence1rice, be open to enhancing your credentials (certification, etc.) Employers do look at that. Our hospital requires Master's prep for our department, but everyplace is different. Go to a CM conference, and you'll be hooked 4 sure.

ASSEDO · Oct 29, 2007

Have you tired Hospice companies, Home Health, Assisted Living, or Insurance Companies? They look for CM skills. Hospitals have a small number of case managers.

Our hospital is hiring, our turn over rate is high.