Nurse case managers play an important role in health care teams at hospitals, clinics, doctors’ offices, and home health agencies. To ensure that patients receive accurate and timely services, they keep track of their medical records, bills, treatment schedules, and other important documents. To qualify for a position as a nurse case manager, a person must have at least a bachelor’s degree in nursing, pass a national licensing exam, and gain experience working directly with patients. Additional requirements for becoming a nurse case manager vary by region, but most professionals must pass additional certification tests before working independently.
Obtaining registered nurse (RN) credentials is the first step toward becoming a nurse case manager. In order to sit for the licensing exam, an individual can complete a two-year associate’s degree program or a four-year bachelor’s degree program, though most future case managers choose bachelor’s degrees. A student in nursing school receives in-depth training in a variety of topics related to the profession. Graduates can take a national exam to become registered nurses (RNs) and apply for entry-level nursing positions in hospitals.
A new RN who wants to work as a nurse case manager typically starts out in another nursing position to gain experience in the field. Most new nurses begin their careers in emergency rooms and critical care units, where they are exposed to a wide range of patients suffering from a variety of ailments. An experienced RN can decide whether or not he or she wants to work in case management in a specific specialty, such as pediatrics, oncology, or acute care, and ask hospital administrators how to get started.
An RN may need to take specialized training courses before becoming a nurse case manager, depending on the region and hospital. A person who is hired usually receives several months of formal training from established case managers to learn about policies and techniques. An RN can become a nurse case manager after completing the necessary training and passing a certification exam administered by a regional or national governing board.
A successful nurse may decide to pursue clinical nurse specialist (CNS) credentials through continuing education courses. As a CNS, you can take on important administrative responsibilities. He or she can assist in the development of new hospital policies and the evaluation of current case management practices.