Kaplan Case Management Certificate Program

Trauma Columnist · Aug 23, 2004

What about getting some case management experience first to see if you like it? I have heard of the Kaplan course, but its not necessary (at least in my area) for hospital case managers. Have a great day.

tsmith1 · Oct 3, 2004

I have never heard of this test and do not know anyone in the case management field that took such a test in order to get the job. I entered case management after only 4 years of clinical experience and have been doing fine. I didn't even know this type of test existed.

Lucy4 · Oct 19, 2004

:) :) :)

I have never heard of this test and do not know anyone in the case management field that took such a test in order to get the job. I entered case management after only 4 years of clinical experience and have been doing fine. I didn't even know this type of test existed.

Thanks for your reply. The Kaplan program is a series of eight classes that cover basic case management concepts, cm process, cm tools, quality management, legal and ethical issues, etc. Upon completion the student earns a certificate in case management - not to be confused with being a certified case manager which requires successful completion of an exam after having two years of case management experience. I have no case management experience but have worked as a nurse mostly in the acute care setting for 25 years. I want to be a hospital based case manager . My thinking is that since I have no cm experience, completion of this program may give me an edge when applying for a cm position.

Trauma Columnist · Oct 19, 2004

What about asking your case management department? I became a CM in Jan 04 with 10 years of crit care experience.

Lucy4 · Oct 20, 2004

What about asking your case management department? I became a CM in Jan 04 with 10 years of crit care experience.

Thanks for your response!

To give you some background, my hospital case management hospital had a number of resignations over the past 6-8 months since a new manager was hired for that department. Many of the case managers who left said they felt they could no longer meet the demands of their job requirements. Many of these cm - both nurses and social workers - had been with the hospital for many years. I am aquainted with the manager from when she held a different position and we have talked periodically. When I started looking for information on classes related to case management I gave her a copy of the Kaplan program for her opinion and she felt it was a good start and very comprehensive. I then enrolled in the program and am almost finished with my second class and should easily complete the third class by the end of the year. My plan was to complete this program (probably next summer) and then look for a cm position. Again my thinking being that some credentials may give me an edge since I have no experience. I am pleased with the program and am learning alot of new things.

In the meantime, I have talked with some of the case managers who are hanging in and some of the ones who are prns and a couple of the new hires. The feedback I have gotten from them about the department has been positive and they are happy with the direction the department is moving toward. When I discussed my interest in case management and desire to eventually work as a hospital based case manager a couple of the cm were very encouraging and asked me to consider applying for a position currently (several open positions in the department). I did send a bid form to nurse recruitment. When I didn't recieve a response from the nurse recruiter I did let the department manager know that I placed a bid and hadn't heard back from recruitment. The manager said she would contact the recruiter to contact me to set up an interview. Finally the recruiter contacted me - after several weeks - and we talked about my experience and interest and she gave me a tentative appointment for an interview with the manager that she was to confirm. Two days later she called and left a message for me that she was cancelling the appointment and felt I had perhaps speak with the manager over the phone regarding my experience and abilities. I left a message for the recruiter (she never answers her phone personally) and never got a response. After a few days I called the manager myself and told her of the situation - said I am interested in a position and though I do not have case manager experience I felt that I have knowledge, experience and some abilities to offer to a position. She said the recruiter probably did that because the job requirement is 2-3 years of case management experience, but said she is willing to give me an interview and I do have one for next week. I am not as encouraged now as she did emphasize the need for 2-3 years of experience.

Any ideas?

Trauma Columnist · Oct 20, 2004

Good luck with the interview. I would certainly emphasize your committment to CM as evidenced by your taking additional out-of-pocket courses. Good luck.

DutchgirlRN, ASN, RN · Nov 8, 2004

Any ideas?

I looked into that Kaplan Case Management certificate because I also wanted to get into case management. I printed out the info and took it to our director of CM. Becky looked at me and said "please don't spend money on that, not that it's bad only that it's absolutely not necessary and on the job training is the best way to learn and definately cheaper". She hired me on a PRN basis and will begin cross training me at the first of the year. Becky said the most important thing to her is that I have good clinical experience. Good Luck.