starting in cm

dria · Jan 15, 2008

hang in there...a lot of getting into any job is being in the right place at the right time. looks like you have a varied clinical background, which is coveted in cm. make sure you play that up. have you followed up on any of the positions you didn't get? that may be a way to figure out what's holding you back. have you tried the insurance companies in your area? most of them are don't require a bsn to get started.

good luck!

STORKRN93 · Jan 15, 2008

Thanks. Yes I have tried the ins. co. Todays interview went very well. I have a share day to do. I think I have the job. Now..... I hope I like it--- lol I should love it. They will let me know after my share day if I get an offer or not.

Nursing really stinks now a days. It is not a one hat job anymore.

I have considered getting out it. Which I never thought I would do.

Lisa:w00t:

Tangerine Lipgloss · Jan 16, 2008

Good luck Lisa.

I just got a job offer for CM, and I have no CM experience. I just kept plugging away, and the right job came up.

I hope I like it too.:cheers:

dria · Jan 18, 2008

congrats to you both!!!

guess i didn't realize how lucky i was getting into cm so easily....didn't really know what it was about.....applied because working at a fortune 50 company can't be bad...it was the first cm job i applied for.

fast forward a couple of years, and now i'm one of the "lifers" that the job seekers groan about!!!!

ebear, BSN, RN · Jan 20, 2008

Dria,

I've tried getting into insurance company work for a long time. I'm certified in legal nursing and O.R. nursing with 34 yrs. exp. Seems I never hear back from them--if I can manage to get through their maze of websites! Do you know what I'm doing wrong or how to go about getting my foot in the door? I'd like to work from home, as I live in a rural area. Any help appreciated! You can PM me if you have any advice. I don't have CM exp. Maybe that's the problem (?)

ebear

dria · Jan 23, 2008

strange ebear....

i'm not sure what to tell you....most of this is probably pretty obvious stuff that you've already considered....right off the top of my head, i would say submit your resume for a specific position, i don't know of anyone who submitted their resume for "general consideration" and ever heard back. new positions open up all the time, especially with the insurance companies...health care costs are spiraling and cm business is booming...even if you applied one week ago, if a new position is posted, apply again. different positions go to different recruiters...you never know what is going to catch their eye...

make sure you are applying to companies that have an office location in your area....most companies don't train you, give you a laptop, and send you home. you should expect to spend 6 months working in the office to learn and become comfortable in your role, and also to demonstrate competence. this is essential for your development as a cm. you'll be surprised at what you can learn just by listening to others around you....

write a cover letter specific for each position. be specific as to why you would make an excellent cm (hint: it's all about critical thinking) don't state that you are interested in cm because you are tired of the hours at the hospital, hate your teammates, and can't take one more minute of it (again, obvious, but i've heard tell that its been done) i'm sure with your experience, you have a broad knowledge of chronic conditions and standards of care...play that up...that is another essential skill.

above all, keep trying. dumb luck got me my job. i'm sure you have seen that others have had to be persistent. you will find the what you are looking for, if you keep at it long enough.

good luck, and let me know what i can do to assist you.

crosstanya · Jan 24, 2008

I am also looking into the CM field. Most of my experience is in the ER. I recently worked for a physician in a family practice clinic. My husband is in the military and we move a lot. After living in Germany for 3 years and not being able to work in the ER, it seems to be difficult to get back into it. Everybody wants current experience….

I found a job today for a utilization review/case manager nurse for a company with an office in town. (http://www.healthdatainsights.com/index.aspx) They wanted experience and certification, but I applied anyway. Like others have said, we have to get the experience from somewhere.

I am not sure what the daily work would really be like. Can anybody tell me what a typical day would be like? What you do and what I can brush up on before I go for an interview, if I am lucky enough to get one.

It would be much appreciated. It is definitely not easy changing your specialty in nursing.

ARnurse69 · Jan 25, 2008

Good luck to you!!! Case management is still very new here--not very many openings, lack of experienced CM's in area, & such. Plus, they don't want to pay what other areas are paying, so there's no reason for the experienced to come our way. We've kind of had to learn as we go. What I wonder, is it better to shoot for CCM or for my BSN in this field? Thanks!

crosstanya · Jan 25, 2008

Good luck to you!!! Case management is still very new here--not very many openings, lack of experienced CM's in area, & such. Plus, they don't want to pay what other areas are paying, so there's no reason for the experienced to come our way. We've kind of had to learn as we go. What I wonder, is it better to shoot for CCM or for my BSN in this field? Thanks!

I am debating the same thing. I talked to an adviser at Kaplan University today about doing the Case Management certificate. Doesn't seem like I would be able to do the certification exam if I don't have my BSN to begin with. I might go with health information technology instead.:innerconf:innerconf

orygun · Jan 25, 2008

I too have tried for over 1 yr to get into cm. UGH Nursing is NOT what it use to be. It use to be a one size fits all prof.

Amen to that! We always hear about how diverse nursing is and how many different opportunities there are. I have to disagree with that. I suppose there are a lot of areas to work in, but that doesn't equal opportunities. I have been trying to get out of staff nursing into something else and it is SO hard without applicable experience. But I agree with another poster and it takes the right job at the right time. I just landed my first CM position and feel SO lucky and grateful. Hang in there. It will happen eventually!:pumpiron:

dria · Jan 26, 2008

doesn’t seem like i would be able to do the certification exam if i don’t have my bsn to begin with.

wrong! wrong!! wrong!!!!!

a bsn is not required to sit for the ccm exam. i currently have and aas, and just passed the exam this fall. so i can tell you for sure that isn't the case.

what my discussions with other nurses who have spoken with kaplan have led me to believe is that they are less than forthcoming with some of the other requirements for ccm. like the need to have 1 year working in cm with a direct supervisor who holds the ccm credential, or 2 years cm experience in the absence of a certified supervisor. the impression i'm getting is that kaplan is leading nurses to believe they will get their certificate, take the ccm, then get a job and live happily ever after.

where i work, that kaplan certificate ain't worth the paper it's printed on....my recommendation would to be to put that $3600 toward your bsn and get a copy of

mullahy's case management handbook for 50 bucks.

i'm having a little trouble getting past that....$3650...sheesh...they should be ashamed of themselves....