New RN Case Manager need advice/encourgement

QTNurseBSN · Feb 25, 2014

Sometimes it depends on the type of Case Management that you do in regards to the money you can make. For instance, in a Workers Comp you can make a lot of money, especially if you work in the field and travel a lot. WC involves billing your time for all services so it's easy to bill over 40 hours per week, thus leading to overtime pay. Then there's the mileage reimbursement from all the travel. But working long hours during the day and into the night can dig into your family time, but there's also flexibility depending on how your appointments are scheduled.

The same thing applies in Home Health as a Case Manager. You may be salaried or paid per visit. But there's also the possibility of mileage reimbursement.

Sometimes you have to take the pay cut to make yourself both physically and mentally happy. You may have to adjust your lifestyle in order to make it work for your family with less money coming in. Take care of the main priorities first like mortgage/rent, utilities and car payment. Maybe eat out twice per month vs twice per week. Rent movies to watch at home that are new release vs going to the theater. Have your kids pack their school lunch versus buying lunch. Disconnect your land line phone and just utilize your cell phone. Shop at thrift stores or consignment shops versus high end stores...you'll be amazed how many nice things you can find and some with tags still on :-)

There are lots of ways to make this new job work. But if you're looking for flexibility for yourself and a good family life, work balance then you have made the right choice. But on the second hand if your bills and living expenses cost you a certain amount of $$ per month and there's no way to tweak it and your new salary is not going to be enough, maybe you should stay at the hospital

PRN for extra cash!

Good luck!!

lovern616 · Feb 25, 2014

Thanks so much. Im paying off bills and cutting down our spending. I was hoping that once I get some HH experience I can increase my salary with hard work. Thanks again.

QTNurseBSN · Feb 25, 2014

You're welcome!

Good Luck!?

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Feb 25, 2014

I don't mean to sound argumentative, but, like, didn't you ask about the salary before you quit your other job and took this one? Do not count on getting a huge raise in a year, and if you were getting OT, shift differential, and call pay from the OR job, you will not be making any of that in CM. Ask HR what the pay range is for this job, see if you can live with it...or look elsewhere. In a year, when you have some marketable experience.

lovern616 · Feb 25, 2014

Yes, I knew what the salary would be before quiting my job, im just not sure if getting a higher pay is possible in a year or so. The start rate is lower than the stated average on the payscale website.

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Feb 26, 2014

That would be expected for a new hire c o previous experience. Ask your boss for frequent feedback on your performance, get as much CE in the field as you can, attend conferences, join CMSA, and see what you can do to earn the best raise you can.

lovern616 · Feb 26, 2014

Thanks, thats great advice. I will.

jesusmbaez · Mar 10, 2014

Hi! I'm also an OR nurse going into a Cm position. How is it going for you so far?

lovern616 · Mar 10, 2014

Its a lot to learn in regards to documentation and insurance but I love the patient interaction as well as the flexible time.

jenniferrn14 · Aug 29, 2014

I have been a home health nurse both in the field and as a DON for 10 years. One year I made 98k. It just depends on how much you want to work. My advice is if you are per diem you need to be willing to travel by expanding your territory. Many HH nurses won't change their territory which limits you to how many patients you are offered. If you have a full time position schedule more than your quota so you can meet your productivity and get paid a per diem rate for anything over productivity.