LeaRNy

Hi! I worked for one of the large insurance companies for about six months. It wasn’t for me. I have small children and thought the work from home was a dream. I came from another non-bedside role and was used to having flexibility in my schedule. There was none of that with the insurance company. It was a set time frame, although you could flex your lunch. It was Monday-Friday. If you would be late “getting to work” aka logging on you would have to use vacation time. I came from a world where we had autonomy and flexibility- there was no micromanaging as my superior knew I would complete my job, it was a mutual understanding. The insurance company was very much micromanaged. It was constant push to complete tasks and assessments and there was a quota or they threatened your bonus structure. The other big con from the insurance company and why I ultimately left was because of my mental health and feelings of isolation. I went from talking and interacting with patients and co-workers and all of a sudden I don’t leave my house for days at a time and am holed up in my basement office staring at concrete blocks while making calls and educating patients (if they answer) on usually hypertension or diabetes. It wasn’t for me and wasn’t at all as glamorous as I dreamed. Best of luck to you in your decision making!

As long as you no longer have the nurse-patient relationship, who’s says that you can’t? From a supervisory perspective it is the first step toward blurring the line that is the nurse/patient boundary. To each their own. It is kind of you to genuinely care about your former patient and recognize that he likely does need a friend. Best to you!