Nurses in the field of case management are responsible for providing care to patients who receive long-term therapy and in all treatment aspects, provide for the optimal level of time management. Case management nurses also usually specialize in one area such as children, geriatrics or AIDS and work with people of all ages and conditions.

A case management nurse who cares for a cancer patient would be responsible for coordinating chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery and primary care visits.

What Is A Case Management Nursing Job Description?

In addition to handling the coordination of the needs of their patients, case management nurses are responsible for helping patients understand the current status of their health condition and the treatment options that are available. These nurses then work with other members within the medical team in order to ensure that the patients receive a complete and cohesive treatment plan. Other essential tasks that these nurses perform include communicating with the patient’s family in regards to their medical status and condition; coordinate and plan resources, care and services that vary depending on each case; and act as an advocate for options that are individualized to meet a patient’s individual health needs.

What Is A Typical Case Management Nursing Work Environment & What Are Some Educational Requirements?

Nurses in the case management field typically work as independent consultants, at home and government health care agencies, in managed care facilities and in hospitals. When speaking in terms of educational requirements and statistics, most nurses in this field have a bachelor’s degree in nursing and have obtained their certification from either the American Nurses Credentialing Center or the Commission for Case Management Certification. In addition to obtaining a bachelor’s degree and certification, many case management nurses earn a master’s degree in nursing with a specialization in case management or another related field.

What Further Educational Options Are There For Case Management Nurses?

There are also other options for nursing education in this field outside of the traditional classroom options. Those who are interested can enroll in online nursing programs or traditional nursing schools in order to obtain the relevant business and health care education that these case managers need. This type of training is ideal for working adults and those who have familial obligations as it provides the flexibility to learn on your own schedule.

What Is The Job Outlook For Case Management Nursing?

Depending on a case management nurse’s experience level, the annual salary ranges from $54,200 to $73,969 as of July, 2010. In addition to their level of experience, their education level also plays a factor in the potential salary a nurse makes in this field. Those who have earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing have been reported to earn between $54,590 and $68,497 per year while those with a master’s degree in nursing have been reported to earn between $61,581 and $87,321 annually. The five states in which case management nurses earn the highest salaries are Texas, Pennsylvania, Illinois, New York and California. Those who are self-employed have the highest earnings and those who work at government agencies; hospitals and trusts or foundations also earn a salary on the higher end of the scale nursing career pay scale.

There continues to be a high demand for registered nurses throughout the entire United States due to the nursing occupation shortage. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment is expected to increase by 22 percent from 2008 to 2018. Additionally, case management nurse jobs are an invaluable asset to facilities of health care because of their effort to increase efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

How Do I Become a Case Management Nurse?

In order to become a case management nurse, you should first understand the nursing industry as a whole. Obtain formal education in nursing and specialize in an area such as case management if one is available. After completing the required education, apply to become a registered nurse and take the certification exam for the case management certificate. Once you have earned this credential, you are well on your way to becoming a case management nurse.

• Case Management Society of America: This links you to the official website of the Case Management Society of America. This is the leading non-profit association that is dedicated to the development and support of the case management profession. This association also offers a number of educational programs in an effort to further the knowledge of the profession and provide members with career opportunities.
• American Nurses Credentialing Center: This links to the American Nurses Credentialing Center, which one of the subsidiaries of the American Nurses Association (ANA). This credentialing center is the most prestigious and largest credentialing organization for nurses in the world.
• Commission for Case Manager Certification: This is the official site to the Commission for Case Manager Certification which is the world’s first and largest organization that is nationally accredited to certify case managers. This organization awards the CCM, which is the first case manager credential to become nationally accredited.
• Case Management Program Overview: This links to American Sentinel University where there is an in-depth description of this educational program at the master’s level. It also shows information on the curriculum information and what to expect after enrolling in a program like this.
• Registered Nurses: This is a link that directs you to the Occupational Outlook Handbook put together by the United States Department of Labor. This page describes career information about registered nurses as a whole. This information includes the nature of the work, training, employment and earnings records.
• Certification Information: This link provides you with an extensive amount of information in regards to the certification for case management. This information includes the definition, eligibility, exam information and what to expect.
• ANCC Nursing Case Management Certification: In-depth PDF document that discusses the background for this certification as well as the eligibility requirements, exam dates and associated fees.
• Trauma Nurse Case Management: Information on the career as a case management nurse in the trauma sector of nursing.
• American Board for Occupational Health Nurses: This site is the official site of the ABOHN, which provides you with a wealth of information that is focused on the health and safety of employees and workers’ compensation.
• Case Management Nurse: Exam Sample Questions: This link gives you an in-depth look at what to expect when taking the credentialing examination. This site consists of 14 questions, so you can practice and study more before taking the actual exam.