nuberianne_RN

What type of program are you enrolled in? I'll attempt to answer a couple of questions. Each insurance company and regions within the company are different. Some authorize a few days at a time while others approve per visit depending on the clinical information sent in to them. Again everyone is different. Doctors discharge their patients when they feel like it without our input at my hospital. Assign a length of stay, what does that mean? Yes that's sarcasm... I don't know what you're keeping track of with Medicare Rights every two days. That's my two cents

Thank you so much for your response. I would like to clarify my statement because I must have given the wrong impression. At the facility where I work utilization review nurses are considered to be non-clinical because we do not provide patient care at the bedside. In other words, we do not pass meds, give bed baths, provide wound care, or interact at all with patients. The exception of course would be to issue a CC44 to a Medicare client once or twice a month. Ninety-nine percent of my job is done at my desk on a daily basis. I am seeking a service that is familiar with my type of job because so far the only ones I've seen have described working at the bedside.

Hello everyone.... Please recommend a nurse resume service. I understand that some view this as an unnecessary service. However, writing is not my strength and I need a resume and cover letter quickly. There is a section here on Allnurses for resume service, but it is not active at all. I'm already a utilization review nurse looking to move on. Therefore, I wanted to know if there are any recommendations here (case management forum)since we are nonclinical nurses. The nurse resume services I googled so far seem to emphasize clinical positions..... Thanks

Thank you very much for that tip. I also spoke with my enrollment counselor so I feel much better now.

Help!!!!! I'm having an a panic attack and I don't even have anxiety. I have everything submitted to start October 2015 except my resume. I am totally freaking out because it has been years since I have had to write one. My mind goes numb every time my fingers hit the keyboard. Do I need a cover letter? I know this is standard for a job resume. However, my understanding is that this resume is just used to outline/verify work experience. How "good" does this resume need to be?

There is not enough background info here for me. What is your position within this organization? Is the Case Manager in your chain of command (ie. your supervisor, your supervisor's supervisor)? Have you addressed your concerns with your supervisors? Has your supervisor specifically tasked you with providing education to the staff? If the answer is yes then the supervisor needs to step in and notify the staff that education/ memos/ incerts provided by you are to be adhered to and do not need approval. I agree it undermines your position with the staff running to someone else for approval every time you send out something. Is there a reason they distrust your knowledge? Trust is built with time. Whenever memos are sent out they definitely need to be written as short and simple to the point as possible. Perhaps you are new and they are just used to going to the Case Manager who has been in your role before you arrived? As for the other staffing issue you mentioned about the pillow and meds I'm sorry I don't follow what it is you are trying to say. My advice is to find someone who you trust that has been there for a long time and therefore understands the culture of your organization. They can usually guide you as to the best way to "fit in" for lack of a better term. It's probably best to just show up do your job and not let little "he say she say" things bother you.

How is the pay? Would you say it is comparable to what you were making in a hospital? Is there any room for advancement that you know of? Do you have your BSN? Anything else you want to share about the job?

I remember a story that I was not personally involved in as I was either in nursing school or just about to start. I saw this on tv, 20/20 or Dateline perhaps. A late 20/early 30 y.o. sought help for a pimple on his buttock while he was deployed overseas. He was told it was nothing and was basically ignored and not treated.....FOR YEARS. It turns out that it was melanoma. I think he ended up being separated instead of medically retired d/t the illness. Therefore his son could not collect full benefits. This totally SUCKED because had they listened and treated him the outcome may have been drastically different. It's been a few years so the details are a little fuzzy. If any of you remember this story and have more accurate info please feel free to correct anything I have said. The family could not sue for negligence or malpractice because the law prevents litigation by or on behalf of any service member. Years later the news crew showed up while his family was gathered around. When the crew got there they filmed him and then he died. The family insisted that the crew stay there to do the story. I will never forget the images of him laying there so skeletal with his muscles completely wasted away, agonal breathing and eyes half open already with the fixed look of death in them. He was a very handsome guy who once was an extra in a show that Jennifer Love Hewitt starred in. Anyone remember this?

Me too

I wasn't a single mom then, but I am a single mom now. That is why I am glad I became an RN then instead of waiting for all the stars to align to admit me into the program at the school in my city. Jobs are hard to come by in my area. I don't know how I would be supporting my children today had I not become a nurse. I always tell people to go ahead and become an RN if you have the chance. There are more job opportunities available for RNs vs LPNs. Like others have said, in the long run it takes way more classroom time and money becoming an LPN first and then going back to school for the RN.

Many people who work in uber-urban cities drive for an hour or longer each way every day FOR YEARS. My school and clinical sites were all one hour a day. I drove it 4 or 5 days a week for 2 years back when gas was over $4/gal and I didn't have a job. I didn't like waking up, getting myself and my kids ready, dropping them off and arriving at clinical site by 6:30 AM. However, now that I have become a single mom I must say it was more than worth it. I don't know where I would be today had I and ex-husband not sacrificed. I love to read so I borrowed books-on-tape from my school library. Let me tell you, when I had a good book going sometimes the commute wasn't long enough.

I am not a fan of anonymous posters who are quick to chime in and say dump him/her when someone comes on a board to ask for advice about a personal situation going on in the relationship.....but..... the hairs on the back of my neck stood up as I read your post, OP. Many, if not most, abusive relationships start off just like yours. The first step is for the abuser to isolate the victim from friends and family by wanting to "spend time" with them. You have the opportunity to get away now. Please do it. And another thing..... unless your "fiancé" is working fulltime and living at home because he is saving every penny to purchase a home, he is not mature enough to be a husband and lead a home/family. Is it possible that he has low self esteem because he is still at home and is not successful in his own life? You are probably saying, "but you guys don't my 'fiance'." On the surface that would appear to be true, but if you take a break and come back and read these posts again you will discover that indeed we do know him. We have met him over and over and we don't want you to live through the nightmare that he inevitably brings every time he appears.

My facility is small, and there aren't any real opportunities for advancement. They don't require or ask for certification for UR nurses. I want certification to make myself marketable in case I want to spread my wings in the future. I'll look into CPHM. Thanks.

There are many certifications available for most specialties in nursing. I believe most hospitals and insurance companies use utilization review nurses. However, I can't seem to find a standardized certification for UR nurses. Why is that? We are half of the case management department in my hospital. From what I've read this is the case in many other hospitals as well. However, we are not eligible to obtain CCM or other case management certifications. I do not have a problem with that since our job description does not include those functions. The reason I want certification is because I believe it demonstrates proficiency in and dedication to this specialty. Many employers look favorably upon certifications. To be fair, I have come across two. However, I don't know if they are "industry standard" so I don't want to spend time and money I don't have if I won't get a return on my investment. So I far I've found: CPHM - offered by McKesson. They barely have any info about this so I don't know how serious to take it. http://www.mckesson.com/about-mckesson/our-company/businesses/mckesson-health-solutions/about-mhs/certified-professional-in-healthcare-management/ HCQM - offered by ABQAURP. Is this the gold standard? http://www.abqaurp.org/certification.asp Your thoughts?

I suggest contacting your local social services office for a list of home daycare providers. You have a good chance of negotiating earlier or later hours with them since they are already home. That is how I managed with two babies while on active duty. The other issue is schooling. You said their school is a half hour away. Does this mean that they attend a private school? Try to negotiate with another parent for your kids to be dropped off to their house in the morning. Depending on when they get out of school maybe you can then pick them all up after school or maybe pick them up from their house. Another suggestion is to switch them to the public school for your district (at the end of the school year of course). They can catch the bus from a neighbor's house in the mornings and either go home or to that neighbor's house for a little while until you get home. I grew up in a private school, and my kids started out in a private school so I don't give that suggestion lightly. However, I had to switch them to public school and I haven't regretted this decision yet. It is hard being a single parent. I know because I am one. The previous posters have all given excellent suggestions. You may have to make some tough decisions that you don't like, but sometimes we have to make a sacrifice somewhere to raise our kids the best way. I wish you all the best!!!!!