I want to be a Case Manager

NurseMegP, BSN, RN · Jun 16, 2016

Tele as in telemetry or telehealth? What is your current job duties? If you're not bedside with the patient, it's going to be hard to sell (probably not impossible though!) Use your strengths and if there is a weakness like "lack of bedside care" turn it into "I haven't had much hands on care but I still acquire patient interaction through ____"

Start looking into the certification courses and maybe get that part done. You may want to go bedside for a year too if possible?

3000series · Jun 16, 2016

I am a bedside Telemetry nurse.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jun 17, 2016

I entered case management nursing approximately six months ago when a friend informed me of a job opening at an insurance company and gave me the recruiter's personal cell number. I applied online, then called the recruiter 30 minutes later.

Sometimes it is not about what you know, and all about who you know.

CrunchRN, ADN, RN · Jun 17, 2016

I have applied for many jobs I was not technically qualified for. I sold myself and it has worked out well. You just have to put in the work.

lifelearningrn, BSN, RN · Jun 18, 2016

You have to start somewhere! Most jobs are going to look for someone with experience, but if the right person comes along, many people are willing to train. Polish up your resume, have a kick'in cover letter and apply. What is the worst thing that can happen?

Katie82, RN · Aug 11, 2016

Stop and think about the things you do in your job, or previous jobs that are actually case management. I worked in Community Health for 10 years before CM and didn't stop to consider that all the clinic follow-up I did was actual case management. I amended my resume to focus on those tasks and had no trouble getting my first CM job.

amazingme · Aug 27, 2016

I too am looking to transition into CM. I'm having a hard time showcasing what I do compared to what they're looking for in those insurance CM postings. I worked beside M/S for 6 yrs and 2 yrs in Same Day Surgery. I think I may have had a better chance attempting the move right after M/S.

Katie82, RN · Aug 28, 2016

Your experience is good, and the same-day surgery will benefit you. Although most CM jobs ask for acute-care experience, I found that I knew painfully little about the nuts and bolts of chronic disease when I left the hospital after 11 years. I worked in Community Health, which gave me a lot more CM experience than I recognized at the time. I went to work for a Disease Management group and spent the first month in the classroom learning everything there was to know about chronic disease. I hated that job, but it paid well, and paved the way for my first CM job.

foggnm · Aug 29, 2016

Of course most CM nurses started off somewhere else, so don't get yourself down. Generally a bigger facility with many case managers is going to be more willing to train you to do the job (not to mention you'll get the best experience). But given that CM is very administrative you should emphasize your administrative skills, computer skills, any experience with discharge coordination, etc. I have done 2 different types of case management one was very much like being a secretary for the patient population and physician, the other was a little more challenging and involved some analytical, clinical, educator, and other skills. If you can find a CM position that is really 'deep' go for that. If you're just coordinating care at SNFs, LTACs, Rehab, etc. you might get bored with that and find your work feels almost 100% administrative.

James W. · Aug 29, 2016

If you can provide evidence of being efficaciously organised & self-directed

longitudinally, are able to provide positive examples of your well written case notes,

& have a referee who can vouch for your communication skills, that will be a start.

Of course, having a functional capability in the clinical area - in which you seek CM, helps.