Transition to case management

Specialties Case Management

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Hi, I have been a practicing RN for the last 18 years. My experience is based in maternal-child health, working in all areas from labor and delivery to mother/baby/pediatric home visits/education, to my current position in very busy postpartum unit.

I am thinking about trying to transition to case management, but don't really even know where to start. All the case management jobs seem to want at least some case management experience. So, that leaves me in the "catch-22" position of how do I get the experience without experience?

Any suggestions?

Thank you very much!

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Specializes in ED, ICU, MS/MT, PCU, CM, House Sup, Frontline mgr.

Your question is very common. The "catch-22" can be dealt with if you have work experience as a bedside nurse. Talk to current and former employers about your interest. Some may only wish to hire experienced CMs, but may be willing to also train an experienced bedside nurse. Here is a thread with some advice:

https://allnurses.com/case-management-nursing/how-to-get-918012.html

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Thank you for the response. I knew my bedside nursing would help, but I am little concerned that I have never worked med/surg. All my experience is in OB (and I haven't worked in labor and delivery for over 14 years)- I think there are probably very few perinatal case management jobs. I know I sound a bit pessimistic, but I am just trying to be realistic about the situation.

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Specializes in ED, ICU, MS/MT, PCU, CM, House Sup, Frontline mgr.

You may be correct that there may be few perinatal CM jobs. If that is what you are looking for try the children's hospitals, the hospitals that specialize in pediatric, neonatal, and/or high Risk OB cases, or insurance companies that have CMs follow OB cases, etc.

Also, if you prefer to remain with the age group under 18, you might look into becoming a Public Health Nurse rather than a Nurse Case Manager. Public Health Nurses can work as CMs to high risk delivered babies, high risk moms, and families receiving WIC just to name a few cases. Check out the Public Health and Community Nursing forum for more information: https://allnurses.com/public-community-health/

On the other hand if you wish to branch out of your specialty, you are not stuck working as a CM that works with OB, pediatric, or neonates. You can work outside of your specialty; you will just have a bigger learning curve then those of us with more adult bedside clinical work experience. Good luck.

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