Inpatient CM vs Outpatient Oncology Navigator

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Specializes in Case Management.

Hello! 
I have been offered a job for an inpatient nurse case management position. Strictly discharge planning. No your. 
I have an upcoming interview for an outpatient oncology practice as a nurse navigator. 
I think I’d like the role of the navigator position more because of the rapport you build with patients as well as having an interest in oncology. However, I’m wondering if the first position would be better in terms of a stepping stone. I don’t have inpatient CM experience and have found it difficult to get hired in a hospital position. 
Anyone have any thoughts on either positions? Thanks!

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Hello OP, I've been doing hospital case management for 2 years now. Before I went into case management I was balancing 2 potential offers, one from a Medical clinic with multiple branches and the other from the hospital I currently work. At the medical clinic I would be following a population and following their cases. Inpatient case management will definitely open more doors for you in the future and I believe it will expose you to more aspect of case management as you deal with representatives from Long term facilities, other hospitals, long term acute care, home health agencies, pharmacies, hospices, etc2x. I found that it would be much easier to transition to a population case manager role from hospital case management in the future than the other way around, and Im certain the pay would be much better in the hospital too. Good luck!

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Specializes in retired LTC.

There's also certification, per se, for case managers. That could reap financial benefits. Likewise, I believe there may be tracts in Masters programs for CM.

Not sure for 'nurse navigator' titles, altho I guess the title's NN intention could be expanded to be viewed as a CM.

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Specializes in Public Health.

Nurse Navigator (NN)is definitely care management.  The VA has these positions and they pay well. Monday-Fri schedule. For my interest, NN would be more fulfilling because you follow a patient population for their entire journey, not just inpatient.

I would worry that the inpatient care management position is going to involve lots of begging facilities to take hard-to-place patients.

Either way, congratulations!

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