Should I leave PRN ED Staff to be WC Field Case Manager

[pthelper777, BSN, RN]

Hi all!

I love allnurses.com because there are so many caring, insightful nurses on here that are willing to give their input (good and bad) on all sorts of topics. (Thanks in advance everyone!)

Here's my dilemma I'm a first year ED (Emergency/Trauma - Level 2) Staff nurse who JUST went PRN 4 weeks ago and love the extra time for family and hubby (and myself), but dread going in to work when I do have to work (understaffed, overworked, yada yada). ED nursing is what I always wanted to do, BUT I am not loving it d/t work conditions. Sooooo, I have now been presented with a new opportunity - Workers' Compensation Field Case Manager, working from home, very nice compensation package but I hear its long hours/long drives to doctors' appointments, pt appointments and employer visits. Now the thing here is that I do have 17+ years WC claims experience, the last 7 years in management (supervisor to a claims unit including Telephonic Case Managers) and I'm bilingual (which is what they are looking for).

I've heard its hard to get into case management without being certified and I honestly always looked up to our Telephonic Case Managers (RNs) and some day wanted to be just like them. I think I will love building rapport with injured workers, employers, care providers, etc (something I kind of miss working in the ED - where patients/families come and go and you don't have time to build that rapport).

Any how, I'd love to hear any Pros/Cons you all may have as to whether or not to leave the PRN ED staff nurse life to become a WC Field Case Manager. Thanks everyone!!

[fostercatmom, ASN, BSN, RN]

Well, you are prn, and it is very hard to get into case management. You could do both, work prn 2 or 3 shifts a month in the ER and do the wc. It does sound like a lot of driving... alot of wear and tear on the car. My hospital would love to have you as an ER case manager. Does your hospital do that or one around you? I know quite a few people who did work from home, but they hated the isolation. Are you a people person? Do you have to be around people? You might want to think more about your long term goals, that might lead you in the right direction.

[pthelper777, BSN, RN]

Thank you so much Fostercatmom!

My husband and I were discussing continuing my PRN job and working 2 shifts a month, which is another option.

Yes, wear and tear is a concern, although they do give milage reimbursement and there are also bonus incentives every month (you must bill 8 hours/work day but if you bill more than 8 hours bonus kicks in - some make 10-30k more a year w/ bonuses). I'm a little bit of a Type A and can be a work-aholic so I'm hoping this is not too hard to achieve, but not counting on it in any way.

I do not believe we have ER case managers, I believe most of our (hospital) case managers are telephonic. That being said, I've worked from home before and have enjoyed it, I would prefer to be a field CM and be out and about meeting clients/injured workers/providers than stuck in an office all the time.

Thank you so much Fostercatmom!