firstborn1

Yes I am sure you can get work within the industry especially in worker's compensation. You need to update your resume. Although the CCM is great to have not everyone requires it at first. But it is certainly something to have. You also can do case management within a hospital setting, HMO, Independent Physician association not just workers comp. Field nursing is another option. Many companies have different offices in parts of California that you are based out of. I think that as a nurse with your credentials and your experience is alway valuable and if when you interview alway emphasize your willingness to learn. Good luck. Sonia

Hi everyone I have been a case manager for over 10 years/ some hospital and mostly now worker's comp. I started out doing medical/surgical, orthopedics-12yrs...then switched to home health....and did medical underwriting (a new program at the time) and utilization review. As an ASN nurse I was able to find positions where they were willing to take you on even if you had no experience in CM or UR as long as you had clinical experience of at least 5 years. 1. Yes you should definately have clinical experience, hopefully in some different specialities if possible. this gives you a good foundation. Book learning just doesn't cut it. You have to get your hands dirty. 2. If you want to get your CCM, (certification in Case mgmt) you have to have work at least one year under a supervisor that also has her CCM. Then you can take the test. 3. Worker's compensation, especially in California does not have enough nurses that work in that specialty. 4. Case mangement pay- depends where you are working... field, hospital, or insurance based. The insurance company I work for, pays for experienced nurses starting about $70,000 a year. and upward. and it is 9-5 job no weekend work. But you have to be able to use a computer compentently, type well. think on your feet, bring all your experience into play. In California we have to be well versed in the ACOEM guidelines, and ODG guidelines as well, interact with both providers and injured workers. work as a team with your claims examiners, return to work specialist and in house attorney's. It is a challenging job. Hope this helped some of you who were asking. S