RN Case management

[nerdynurse7, ASN, CNA, LPN, RN]

Hello fellow nurse friends!

I am reaching out to you in regards to Case Management information. I have recently viewed many job openings for Case Management and was drawn to it for many reasons. But first let me tell you a little of what I am currently doing.

I have been a LPN and RN in acute rehab/ SNF for a total of 3 years and I do not feel valued. I had to cut back from 32 hours to 24 hours due to the work life balance. I am scheduled from 7am- 3:30, but always leave 2-4 hours later depending on the day. As much as I use time management to my advantage, working with 8-12 patients in an acute rehab does not seem manageable. I am feeling burnt out due to the liability and toxic environment in this clinical setting. I feel like this job is affecting my personal wellbeing. I am also underpaid compared to other employers. I also work per diem at a primary care health center; mostly educating diabetic patients, monitoring hypertensive patients, administering immunizations, and completing in house lab work. In this setting, I do not feel stressed, but the pay is not great.

I was intrigued by case management because it seems to be on the rise. I like the idea of being able to collaborate care for patients and not be so involved in the clinical aspect (hands on). Although I am passionate about being hands on, I do not think it will be healthy for me to continue. I have seen many job postings for case management, many do not specify exact experience with case management. I did work for an Adult Day Center for 5 months, evaluating patients for needs, which I find some similarities to case management.

My sister is a clinical social worker currently working as a case manager for an acute rehab, but I know it differs between RNs and other titles.

Overall, I am looking for a better quality of life for myself while still enjoying my career.

I would like to hear what does case management entail? How many patients do you see a day? Do you work at home, or out of a facility, or home care? What experience is required? What degree is required? Any special trainings? Can you work part time? What are the usual hours? What is the salary/pay?

Any information is helpful. Thank you.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

Moved to case management

[caronbell]

There are many options with case management! Yes, it does tend to have a better work-life balance overall, and most jobs tend to be "9-5" jobs with occasional weekends.
I work inpatient acute case management, and I do a combination of discharge planning and utilization review (UR). For me, it's the best of both worlds. I am not the kind of person who can sit at a computer and type all day, and I need some interaction with the public. Gimme drama! And my floor never, ever lets me down.
My job tends to be a bit like an air traffic controller, with a bit of fire fighter and baby sitter and therapist and a dash of Suduku for fun.

Insurance CM is the "flip side" and God love 'em, they have their own stresses and metrics; lots to that side as well.

Hope something works out!

[Katie82, RN]

I work for a MCO that is contracted by my state to coordinate care for Medicaid recipients and now Medicare, as we have been given a Waiver to manage Medicare patients as well. I consider myself a Jack of All Trades - hard to describe what I do, except to say "whatever I need to do to see that my patients get the care they need. I am a Diabetes Educator, I perform Medication Reconciliations, I am responsible for Transitional Care of patients discharged from acute care. I accompany patients to medical appointments. I meet with docs to coordinate care. I have assisted a practice in implementing their EMR. I have days when I think I can do anything, and others when I feel I am doing nothing. I even manage a little job on the side sometimes - my current focus is to cut down on the number of unnecessary ER visits my patients accrue. I deal with Child Protective Services, Adult Protective Services, anxious family members , and on a few occasions, the Courts or Police. And this is only the tip of the iceberg. Seems like every day is a new adventure, and it can be exhausting. The thing I like best is that I am pretty much autonomous. My program uses the team approach, so I have dozens of mentors if I need them. My Manager is available any time I need her, but she does not hover. Some days I want to tear my hair out, but I would not trade this job for anything. Oh yeah, as if I'm not already having enough fun, the State has just added Mental Health to our duties. I am overjoyed.