nursingosaurus

I don't know how much time I will have to contribute to this post as I have several things going on right now, but I was recently diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. I don't know how if I am in the right place in terms of this forum, or if I should be on another forum, but I can for sure say one thing: fibromyalgia is debilitating. Over the past 13 years I have almost always had a vague sense of fatigue. Sometimes the fatigue is much more than vague and feels heavy, as if several people are standing on my shoulders and my upper back. I do not understand it. I've been to the endo, several of them-- while I do take medication for thyroid and hypothyroidism has made me feel awful in the past, it has been under control for quite some time. This feeling is different. When I have a fibro flare, as I have heard it called, it feels as if my entire body has come down with the flu, has been hit by a truck, has gone through a bumpy rollercoaster ride. Sometimes the episodes happen when I haven't slept well and sometimes they happen for no good reason at all. I recently had a one and a half span where I actually felt, on a scale of 1 to 10, ten being the happiest I could ever be without any symptoms or pain....I felt at about an 8. My symptoms were minimum. I have no idea why or what I did other than I took some different vitamins which now seem to do nothing for me. Maybe it was the initial surge of the vitamins getting into my system. I really don't know. This entire beast is a mystery and I am struggling to understand it. How can my bones, muscles--my entire body hurt-- for no reason? I am not overweight. I am not underweight. My diet has not been perfect but I eat a very good amount of salmon, fruits, veggies, and I stay away from sodas and fast food. I don't eat white bread and I have been making a concerted effort to stay away from foods that will give me an instant sugar rush. As I am writing this, I am trying to get through a vague fibromyalgia episode. Bones and joints and muscles all over are aching; I have taken my neurontin, I have stretched and gone walking several times today for work breaks, I have stayed hydrated with water and the only sugars I have had have been those found in the fruit I have eaten today. I will try and continue this later, but right now I must get back to work. I no longer do the kind of nursing that involves direct patient care. I did it for about 6 years. It was AWFUL on my body. I know that I sound like a wuss and I know that many nurses did floor nursing, ICU nursing, night shift nursing for their entire career. I've had several tell me to "suck it up, and do what they did," but they're also older now and having a terrible terrible time with their bodies. I can't say that there is a direct correlation between that and years of floor/ICU nursing, but I can say that if my body already feels like it has gone through a rollercoaster ride without a seatbelt, then I don't think moving heavy patients and the heavy physical work involved in patient care is for me. I wish it was. For the past four years I worked in an OR setting where most of our patients were not able to work, were obese, and had about ten other health issues going on. I feel as if my body aged about twenty years during that time. I am thankful for the experience I gained from that job and I am thankful I had that job to begin with. Now I am in a position that is the exact opposite-- I am not moving around all day. It feels almost like a dream. It doesn't seem real. But with it comes its own set of issues. Sitting in a chair all day is also a nice way to get stiff- it is the total opposite end of the spectrum from my past job. So...here I am, at a newer job, thankful for the opportunity but trying to find balance. (PS-- if this entry is in the wrong place, please let me know and I will go put it there instead. thanks!)

Hi, I am an RN Case Manager. I know that there are various associations for RNs to join, such as the American Nurses' Association, and I am aware that there are a variety of associations for specialized nursing practices. My question is this: Which case management society --nation wide-- is the best and most appropriate for nurse case managers? I have been doing searches but it just pulls up certifications over and over again. I plan on testing for my case management certification but at this moment I just want to join a nurse case management association. Regarding case management associations- does it have to be one that is FOR nurses? Or can it be for case managers in general? Thank you to anyone who can recommend the most highly respected case management/nurse case management association for an RN case manager to join.

Thankyou for your help, you're likely correct!

Hi, I just accepted a job with aetna doing in office case management (non traveling!!!) I am not sure what software we are going to be using but is there a place online where I can get some exposure/use with some of the popular case management softwares, such as milliman? thanks!!!

thank you for your perspective, it is appreciated. I am already the bad guy at my job because patients get really mad if they not maintained NPO / having a driver prior to surgery even though they were instructed ahead of time. I've worked with an EXTREMELY frugal person for awhile now so I guess I am used to "omg save money." I hope this place I am going to is not bad though...I am going to keep what you wrote in mind. thanks!

CE DIRECT!! thanks, I really appreciate it. I was looking for something along these lines. I am sure it will be very helpful so thankyou very much.

THANK YOU!!! (tried to post a reply via my phone earlier today) but it evidently didn't go through. I checked out glassdoor and briefly looked at careerbliss......I've browsed through lots of the case management threads and will do so again to see if anything new has been posted. I appreciate your suggestions, thanks!

I recently was hired to work for aetna as a case management RN. I don't have formal case management experience (as in the actual job title) from any other jobs but at my current job I do A LOT of case management duties. I have been at my current job several years so starting somewhere else is scary but it is something I must do. It'll be an in office non traveling position. Can someone give me advice on how ti prepare? Is aetna a good company to work for? Tell me everything please, even the bad!

Thanks for the info!

I have a job right now as an RN.... but I am trying to transition to utilization management or Case management..... several interviews but all "not selected." Helpless feeling

That is all such great, insightful and helpful advice. Thank you so much!!!!! I am printing it all out right now and going to read it over and over, and write in my own thoughtful comments after thinking about the answers thoroughly. What kind of questions specific to utilization review can I be expected to be asked? What kind of UR questions should I be asking? Can someone give me an overview or example of the process of Utilization Review nursing? Interview is tomorrow!!!! THANKS AGAIN!!!!

Hi all, I some how managed to obtain a Utilization Review RN interview a few days from now. 1. What kind of questions should I expect to be asked and how can I prepare for them? 2. What kind of questions should I ask them? 3. Are there perhaps any resources out there I can find --on allnurses.com or the internet in general? I have done plently of searches but perhaps using incorrect keywords. I'll take any help or advice I can get, such as DRG codes I might need to know, and so forth. This if for an HMO that focuses on pediatrics, and works with medicare, CHIP, etc in a large sprawling city. Please, your answers are appreciated and may even help someone else other than me! Thanks!!!

Thank you for your insight, and I have noticed the same thing. Can't give up though!!!!

I have roughly 4 years of clinical nursing experience, with some indirect case management, insurance verification and discharge experience. I applied and interviewed for a job which said ,"ENTRY LEVEL CASE MANAGEMENT" but upon arriving they said they would prefer that I had some case management experience. 1)I'm so confused about this, but that's a different story entirely. 2) How do I break into case management? 3) How do I break into utilization review? 4) Is there some place on the internet, perhaps even on this forum, that gives a good run down of UR and CM, such as steps involved and what not? I appreciate any and all help you can give me!

GOOD QUESTION! I completely HATE bedside nursing....I work in day surgery now, and people sometimes are so freaking gross that I can barely stand it. I know that sounds really awful but...I just am burnt out on direct patient care. Maybe after a break from it I will feel differently. I have asked some people how they feel about case management and they have turned their noses up at it....discouraging, but, the people that turned their noses up at it are the people who truly enjoy direct patient care, so that might have something to do with it. I hope you (and I) both are able to get some answers. I am looking at CM as well as UR, too. Best of luck to you!