newbie questions

Specialties Case Management

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Hello All. I have a BSN and several years of operating room experience. I have zero med-surg experience. Do I qualify to become a case manager? My hospital posted a per diem case management position.

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I honestly can't think of a specialty background less suited to case mgmt than OR nursing. Sorry.

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How much med-surg experience is required?

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Browse thru the previous posts and I think you will find it is a little more complicated than that.

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Can anyone else tell me what type of nursing experience is recommended before trying case management?

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Specializes in Critical Care, Insurance Case Management.

I think I can help you here = the key to case management is to have a broad understanding in a variety of settings. I just started a new job as an inpatient case manager, and the reason why I was hired was my background. I spent 8 years in ICU, but I also worked at Blue Cross doing precertifications, at Citizens Insurance Co doing Workers comp and No Fault insurance case management, have done home care, and worked in mental health. You have to have enough experience to recognize the needs of a patient across the spectrum, regardless of their diagnosis. You also need to recognize their psychosocial needs, and how to meet those needs through counseling, home care, therapies, or skilled care at facilities. And knowing what constitutes a qualified inpatient admission, the criteria they use to determine level of services, how the insurance companies think all helps.

When I decided I needed a new direction in my career after working in the hospital as a staff nurse, I looked for a job in insurance - and found one at Blue Cross. I didn't stay there more than 2 years, before I moved to doing case management for full line insurers. That background on your resume will make you a shoe in for case management anywhere, but I would recommend you keep your hand in clinical work like home care. Each job is a stepping stone to something else. Just doing one type of nursing, and then deciding to get an advanced degree and applying for a CM is not enough to get hired. I found my advanced degree did little to help my career, except make employers look twice. I wouldn't discourage it, but realize it will not lead to a management job in of itself.

Hope this helps.

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