Career Spotlight: Nurse Case Manager
What happens when a cancer patient has completed his or her scheduled amount of chemotherapy? Or, how about when a patient is about to go home after a major surgery? This is where nurse case managers come in. They help patients make plans for long-term care.
Nurse case managers are an invaluable part of the health care team. To learn more about this important position, read more.
What Is a Nurse Case Manager?
A nurse case manager is a registered nurse who coordinates and oversees the long-term care plan for patients, making sure they have access to the necessary health services like appointments and treatment plans. Usually, the patients they help are those recovering from severe illnesses, injuries, or diseases.
Nurse case managers are a patient’s advocate. They are in the rare position to form long-term relationships with their patients, helping to ensure they receive the appropriate and necessary health care treatment.
What Does a Nurse Case Manager Do?
Nurse case managers work with patients and other medical professionals to create long-term care plans for patients. Many of their responsibilities and day-to-day duties include:
- Oversee the discharge process
- Coordinate doctor’s appointments and schedule surgeries
- Identify current services and resources for patients
- Screen patients’ health care needs
- Educate patients and caretakers on different treatment options
- Monitor and update treatment plans
- Collaborate with other health care professionals
- Book doctor appointments
- Develop and manage long-term health care plans for patients
- Monitor medication usage by a patient
- Assist with transfers to other health care facilities
- Research the latest treatments and procedures
- Work with insurance companies to find the most cost-effective care
- Offer education and guidance to patients and their families
Skills Needed To Succeed as a Nurse Case Manager
To be a successful nurse case manager, there are certain skills you should possess. Let’s take a look at them:
- Good interpersonal communication skills
- Oral and written communication skills
- Organization skills
- Problem-solving skills
- Technical skills
- Empathy
How To Become a Nurse Case Manager
Are you interested in becoming a nurse case manager? If so, there are certain steps you must follow. First, you need to graduate from an accredited nursing program, then pass the NCLEX-RN exam to become a registered nurse. Hold on, though. You aren’t done with your education yet! If you want to become a nurse case manager, you need to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. After that, you can start gaining additional experience. This will help you to not only learn the ins and outs of nursing, but also to find out what specialty you would like to pursue, such as nurse case management.
To become a nurse case manager, it’s a good idea to get about five years of nursing experience before you start applying for positions. You might also want to consider earning certifications. Certifications show potential employers you have expanded your skill set and are always willing to learn more.
Education Requirements for a Nurse Case Manager
In Excelsior University’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, you’ll build on your prior learning and gain knowledge that will prepare you for graduate study and the pursuit of lifelong learning, which is essential for practice in the nursing profession. You’ll focus on knowledge and professional competencies expected of graduates of bachelor’s programs. The program emphasizes the integration of nursing and related arts and sciences knowledge in complex situations related to nursing care of individuals, families, aggregates, and communities. Furthermore, the program requires outstanding critical thinking skills and nursing judgment as well as commitment to academic rigor.
Nurse Case Manager Certification
As mentioned, earning certification can set you apart from the competition when applying for nurse case management jobs. Some of the popular certifications for nurse case managers are: the Accredited Case Management Certification offered by the American Case Management Association, the Nursing Case Management Certification offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center, and the Certified Case Manager Credential offered by the Commission for Case Manager Certification.
If becoming a nurse case manager aligns with your career goals, consider speaking with an Excelsior admissions counselor today to get started on your bachelor’s in nursing.
