RN Case Manager Position Hospital Setting

[ebusiness77]

I may be starting my RN Case Manager position soon. I want to know who has worked as an RN Case Manager. How is the work load and is it far from clinical nursing experience? I have my apprehensions since this is my first time to step outside the box and venture to another area in nursing. More knowledge will ease these mixed feelings.

[Silverdragon102, BSN]

see if this forum helps

Case Management forum

[SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN]

Hi and welcome! To answer your question, the work load depends on your facility and the floor/unit you will be working. As far as being able to remove yourself from the drama of bedside nursing; you will find that the answer is yes and no.

Yes, you are no longer expected to be responsible for all aspects of a patient's care while in the hospital setting. However, you will be expected to perform miracles with regards to all aspects of a patient's life so that he/she will leave the hospital in a short time frame. In addition, you will be privy to the same drama/information that goes on in a hospital setting because you are not removed from that setting. Moreover, you will continue to work with difficult personalities (both patients and co-workers). The only way to avoid the former is to leave direct patient care.

On a positive note, you are not a bedside nurse any longer and do not need to tolerate the negative attitudes from patients or stressed-out/burned-out bedside nurses, doctors, managers, or techs any longer. In fact, I tend to let my co-workers and patients know what I will and will not do despite his/her set expectations. In other words, I set my own boundaries and do not have them dictated to me.

Furthermore, I have noticed that the perception of a good bedside nurse usually is the nurse that is popular amongst his/her peers, which is not necessarily a safe knowledgeable nurse on the unit. In stark contrast, the perception of a good case manager is a nurse who actually has a proven record to back him/her up. In fact, in some instances I have seen that he/she is not always popular, but in every instance he/she is the one of the most respected based on his/her work performance. Thus, I believe you will be pleased with your switch as soon as you get used to your position.

By the way, in order to be truly comfortable in this new role and actually be effective it will take you 1-2 years no matter your former clinical background. Also, some frustration with your learning curve as a new Nurse CM is expected in that time frame. Plus, to help make your transition as smooth as possible speak with experience nurse CMs in your workplace and in your community to include this forum. Good luck!

[ebusiness77]

Thank you so much for your input. That is a good suggestion: to speak with an experienced nurse CMs.