Please help w/CM job decision!! Advice would be *very much* appreciated! : )

[ivyleaf]

So, I currently work as a psych nurse in outpatient/community mental health as "Senior Health and Wellness Specialist," doing case management (particularly for folks with medical conditions), health education/coaching, managing a wellness program (health education groups, staff training, chairing 2 committees), and supervising 2 dietitians. My coworkers are great, and there is a lot of flexibility and autonomy, but I have become bored with the job, and there is no opportunity for raises or advancement (I've been there 3 years).

I am trying to get into managed care/case management, and was offered a job today doing behavioral health CM, that I am very interested in (I had a 2nd interview yesterday). However, they offered me 61,00, and my current salary is 70k. I explained that this was a significant pay cut and they raised the offer to 63,500 -- this is still a significant decrease. I am bummed because I really want the job, and there are opportunities for yearly raises and advancement. I was offered a very similar position 2 months ago and turned it down because of the salary (60k). Also, I heard from someone else at the company, in the same dept, with a very similar background to mine who was hired several months ago, that she makes 65,000.

Unfortunately, since behavioral health CM can be done by licensed social workers or mental health counselors, they don't want to pay nurses to do it. I am also interested in doing medical case management, and the company that offered me this job has a couple postings for medical CM jobs. One in particular was posted today for a "Health coach," which seems like it would be a great fit, as I do a lot of health coaching/teaching now and really enjoy it. I am also a trainer in Motivational Interviewing, which the company is very big on, and emphasizes coaching/patient-centeredness. From my research, the starting pay for medical CM's in managed care is high 60s-80k.

However, I don't have any acute med-surg experience, and I think this is why I haven't had any luck with these positions (I was offered one through United Healthcare, but they offered me the job specifically bc I had a psych background, which they wanted for the team-- I turned it down because it was work from home, which I dont want). However, I work with a lot of people with unmanaged diabetes, COPD, heart disease, morbid obesity, and am really good at what I do!! In addition, the patients I work with have severe and persistent mental illness (schizophrenia, bipolar, multiple suicide attempts, substance abuse), so I have experience working with people who have MANY barriers to optimal health.

I think I am going to call them tomorrow, restate my case (emphasizing that I am really excited about the job and am not *only* interested in the money), and if they are not able to budge, ask them about the other medical CM positions, as I am fairly sure they are at a higher salary.

I would LOVE to hear any thoughts/opinions/your 2 cents!! I am frustrated with this job search, have been on tons of interviews (I have been offered 5 jobs total but they either havent been a good fit or salary was too low), and can barely concentrate at my current position!!!

Thanks in advance--

[Bella RN, BSN, MSN]

I like case management, but I also took a pay cut. I do not work in a hospital setting, but I am in managed care. But I am very passionate about what i do, my advice to you would be look into your heart and if you are passionate or have a desire to explore it regardless of pay then do it. Money is not everything, i used to get alot more than i am now but the stress level doesnt even pale in comparison to hosptial setting. I am very happy and despite the pay cut I live a very nice life

[loriann1105]

I have been a case manager in the Tampa area for 13 years. I love it bi have lots of experience. Telephonic, field/on site and work from home. I will tell you that a starting salary for managed care at 80.... Or even 70, may be hard to find. While your experience is far from beginner, managed care may be looking at it as a different and new scope for you. Good luck though. I love being a case manager!

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

some of the hmos have what they call disease management positions, which are basically case management for specialties. they do have psych departments with nurses doing this kind of work.

but you know, i wouldn't have turned down that job you had offered to you. somebody asking for your skills as a psych nurse and you turn it down because you don't want to work from home? why ever not? i"ve been doing it for almost 20 years and i love love love it!

[Mijourney]

It's an employer's market. I recommend that you write a list of what type of benefits and perks you want on a job and a list of what you will settle for. Keep in mind, as previously posted, money is not the end all even though it is important. Note that when you apply for jobs, what the minimal educational and experience requirements are. That will give you a good indication of what the salary may be. Depending on how close you are to retirement, you may want to take a chance with a cut in pay now for a job that you feel will give you satisfaction and that you see potential for advancement.