Nursing to Case Mangement: what do I need?

Euskadi1946 · Jul 19, 2004

Hi.
Just read the post about hating nursing. I know the feeling. Had been out of acute care for several years, rehab/hhome health. Decided to go back to med/surg after relocating. It's been a horrible experience. 3-11, except its usually 3 to 1-3am, very rarely I can leave on time, take a break. Have found poor care, no consistency, rarely have the same patient twice, very low morale, short handed, etc. After just six months, going in day after day hoping it will get better, realised it won't. Talking to others, haven't found they think anywhere else would be better. I am totally burned out. I was interested in the case management area, don't know too much about it. Can anyone shed some light? Also, is my recent experience typical? Thanks.

Try applying with HMOS, the county and the state and possibly Uncle Sam. I went to Post Partum after 5 yrs with BCBS...as much as I loved the moms and babies...the staffing was horrible. I now work for the State of Utah and really love working human being hours, w/e and holidays off.

Trauma Columnist · Jul 20, 2004

I'm a case manager - (last seven months). My absolute love is ER nursing and I did that for 7 1/2 years and still do it prn. Anyway - case managers (at least in my large level one trauma center) need a BSN at least, several years of salient experience in the area you want to case manager and some knowledge of discharge planning options in your area. I do utilization review (determining bed type of placement for pts, do tons of computer entry - about 3 hours of my 8 hour shift), do discharge planning for the ER - nursing home placement, social service issues, detox, and case management of chronic patients. This position has given me a wonderful insight into many other places nurses can work in. It has also provided me with the knowledge that I want to go into education, so I'm in school to finish an MSN. Good luck...there are many case management types of jobs, not necessarily in the hospital.

jesl · Jul 20, 2004

nursing isn't all about hate

hi.
just read the post about hating nursing. i know the feeling. had been out of acute care for several years, rehab/hhome health. decided to go back to med/surg after relocating. it's been a horrible experience. 3-11, except its usually 3 to 1-3am, very rarely i can leave on time, take a break. have found poor care, no consistency, rarely have the same patient twice, very low morale, short handed, etc. after just six months, going in day after day hoping it will get better, realised it won't. talking to others, haven't found they think anywhere else would be better. i am totally burned out. i was interested in the case management area, don't know too much about it. can anyone shed some light? also, is my recent experience typical? thanks.

one of the reasons i no longer do floor care is because you are always going to be shortstaffed and have to stay over!!!!!! i made my specialty er and yes we are short sometimes but supervisors have a harder time hiding especially if you have a doc who wants the patients to have care and not med errors or a bad time of it because of lazy staff. i also discovered that since i became a travel nurse you meet great people who are going thru staffing problems and apppreciate your help!!!!! traveling lets you pop in and pop out and you are not part of the problem but helping those poor soles who are tired and frustrated. case management is ok but speak to a few people who actually do that everyday to get their perspective before diving in headfirst.