Start as a case manager...huh?

[shynurse]

I recently went to an open house where the recruiter offered me a case management position. Thankful i am that someone wants to hire me with no experience, however if you start as a case manager is that considered experience when i try to apply for a job at a hospital. My other concern is that i know that a case manager advocates for her patients and with this particular job i will be in an office does anyone know what i may have to look forward to doing. Finally in you opinion should i just wait or take the job?

[d'cm]

Go to the speciality tab and read the many posts about the job of case management. IMHO: take the job, heathcare reform under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is all about case management, floor nurses will be in less demand but experienced case managers will be sitting pretty.

[Flo., BSN, RN]

I would love to be a case manager. I have just about a yr of surgical nursing and no one will hire me. If I were you I would take the job. Floor nursing is horrible!

[evolvingrn, BSN, RN]

I think it will be harder to switch to a hospital job but with health care reform the future of nursing is in the community. two of my classmates started off as case managers and like it a lot.

[tewdles, RN]

It is a nursing specialty that takes advantage of our well rounded knowledge of all of the disciplines and advocacy for the whole person. It is not a specialty that requires expertise in the bedside delivery of nursing care and is seen predominantly in the acute care and insurance environment.

There are also clinical case managers who directly participate in the delivery of care and oversee the plan of care as carried out by nurses, MSWs, PTs, OTs, etc. They collaborate with the physician for medical orders. These nurses may work in the acute setting, but often work in the community in home health or hospice. They benefit greatly from having some bedside nursing experience.

Sounds like you have a great opportunity...give it a try?

[mtngrl, ASN, RN]

I am a case manager and I do love it....M-F, all holidays off, make own schedule.

One thing to consider....you pretty much have to stick with it forever, I mean, you basically lose any clinical skills you have. I would need to relearn like everything if I got out of it. I havent given a shot since 2005.

[ImThatGuy, BSN, RN]

Take it and stick with it. Obviously you can do it as a new person or you wouldn't have been offered the job.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I'm a floor nurse at two different facilities. One is a rehab hospital and the other is a LTC facility. Many of my coworkers would give anything to get off the floor and get into case management. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I would take it if I were you!

[shynurse]

Thanks for your responses. i just wish there was a way to do some clinical work along with the case manager position i never had the chance to use my clinical skill and dont want to lose them. One additional question. as a case manager to you atleast retain and build on the nursing knowledge you acquired in school?

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

I would consider it. As for skills, they are easily re-learned.

[S.N. Visit, BSN, RN]

I am a case manager and I do love it....M-F, all holidays off, make own schedule.

One thing to consider....you pretty much have to stick with it forever, I mean, you basically lose any clinical skills you have. I would need to relearn like everything if I got out of it. I havent given a shot since 2005.

I've been a Case Manager for over one year now. I still go out into the field & visit all my patients at least q.o.w., but mostly weekly. I do wound Vac's , dressing changes, Sterile Central line dressing changes, Access Ports, blood draws, Change indwelling Cath's, give shots , total body assessments & supervise LPN's & CNA's.

I believe I have kept my skills as a case manager, so it depends on the agency. I love no week-ends, holidays, nights or call :)

[ImThatGuy, BSN, RN]

Thanks for your responses. i just wish there was a way to do some clinical work along with the case manager position i never had the chance to use my clinical skill and dont want to lose them. One additional question. as a case manager to you atleast retain and build on the nursing knowledge you acquired in school?

Volunteer in a clinic somewhere in your down time if you just want some hands on experience.