two job offers: case manager or service coordinator?

[thekid]

Hi all, I am hoping for some experienced nurses to answer or offer insight to me about a current situation. I interviewed with two different companies today. I'll start by saying I have just recently reinstated my RN nursing license after a refresher course. I have never enjoyed the hospital or long term care facilities so both of these prospective job offers are equally appealing based on what I know so far. I'm looking for pros or cons of each..or just a straight answer..assuming I get offers from both, what would you do?

Job 1 is for an RN case manager for a home health agency. Full time. 21/per hour. To me that sounded low for case management. It's an 8 to 5 Monday thru Friday job, with call on weekends but I understand call doesn't happen very often. I would be doing admissions, receiving referrals, and supervising CNA'S. It's part office and part field..the driving is about a two hour radius depending on traffic. I did not ask if we were reimbursed for travel. I would be the only case manager in the office. I believe they want to fill the position immediately.

Job 2 is with an insurance company who works closely with one of our top hospitals in the area. The job title is LPN service coordinator. Same hours, it is 8 to 5 but no weekends or holidays. It is telephonic..phone call assessments and follow up. I would be in an office with other service coordinators. The interviewer did not tell me salary info but he did say it was better than 21/per hour. He also mentioned there is plenty of opportunity to be promoted to an RN position. The company is much bigger than the first one so there is a lot of lateral and upward mobility options. Working in insurance and understanding benefits/ etc would be completely new to me however I'm not intimidated by it. Interviewer mentioned it could take a month for the background check to be completed and references verified since it's thru the state.

As mentioned both sound interesting. Time management is crucial to both. I do like that the second job is with a bigger company that allows for more career advancement even though I would be starting as an LPN. And I like that there are other service coordinators right there to get help from, whereas with the case manager job I could be on my own.

If anyone has worked in either area , what is your advice and what would you do?

thank you

[4evernrs]

Having done both types of jobs, I can say that if it were me, I'd take the insurance job. Home health involves LOTS of paperwork/documentation, planning, organization, supply ordering, phone calls, etc. Not to mention the wear and tear and miles on your car. Good luck with whichever route you take!

[Faeriewand, ASN, RN]

I would have chosen job #2 also because you said it is through the state which would be a good job to have. Good luck whatever you decide. :)

[TDCHIM]

I would also choose job #2, simply because the first job sounds like the type of situation where you'll be constantly overworked and pulled in multiple directions every minute of the day. Split positions always scream trouble to me, because you never have enough time to truly do right by any portion of the job. I can also personally vouch for how much abuse your car ends up taking in the type of general travel situation you're describing. Travel reimbursement often doesn't cover all the necessary vehicle upkeep and the reimbursement rate is a favorite target for cost-saving cuts.

[GM2RN]

I don't have any experience in either type of job, but I agree with all the other posts about job 2. Personally, I would appreciate the opportunities with job 2, plus I have a feeling that call with job 1 would happen more often than you were lead to believe. Things like that are very often exagerated in interviews, so I would be suspicious unless you can verify exactly how often call does occur. Besides, job 1 sounds like way too much work and responsibility for only $21/hours.

[Debilpn23]

I don't have experience with either job. But I would go with job # 2 also.

I actually would like a job like that myself. Good Luck

[thekid]

Thank you for the responses..of course the first job called me back with a job offer today. 21/hr sounded low to me too and I'm concerned about being the ONLY case manager. BUT I know I would jump all over it if this was the only offer I had. I'm a returning nurse and it's been a long road just to get call backs for interviews.

I spoke with the hiring manager at job 2, I told him I had an offer from another company but that his job interested me more. He says the background reference check could take a few weeks..he said to me that he could not tell me if I had the job or not but that he felt I was very qualified for the job, and that he personally handed my resume to HR for them to expedite the process of hiring me. So that's a good sign.

The first job, as mentioned, offered me the job today..I had originally mentioned to both companies that I would like to go to Arizona for a week to visit my son before starting full time and they both agreed. Maybe that can buy me a week.

The one thing that concerns me about the insurance job is that it may get a bit monotonous..phone calls all day. In the past I have enjoyed being on the road for home visits. The first job would require wear and tear on the car but I was told the admission paperwork is one page. And I do like variety.

Either or..I feel so fortunate to have two excellent offers and thank you for the insight.