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What Does a Case Management Nurse Do?

A patient who has been hospitalized typically has ongoing health care needs after returning home. This is more true today than ever before, as efforts to cut health care costs lead to shorter hospital stays for ill or post-operative patients. That's where case management nurses come in. In this career, you might battle with an insurance company on behalf of patients to ensure they get the home health care, medical equipment, or treatment that they need after their hospital stay. You could do this work for hospitals, community associations, or third-party payers.

Education & Training Required to Become a Case Management Nurse

While there are no specific case management nursing degree programs, you can earn a wide range of certifications in the field, including the Accredited Case Manager (ACM) credential. To become an ACM, you must be certified as a registered nurse.

Most people start by earning an associate degree in nursing (ADN). Then you can work as a registered nurse while enrolling in an RN to BSN (bachelor's of science degree in nursing) or RN to MSN (master's degree in nursing) program. Most employers prefer to hire case management nurses with an MSN, although some may consider applicants who have a BSN plus significant work experience.

Typical Characteristics of a Case Management Nurse

Case management nurses tend to focus on one type of patient, such as the elderly or children, or on a specific speciality like post-transplant, cancer, orthopedic, or AIDS patients. You need to have a firm grasp of the financial side of health care to succeed in this career. Negotiating with a variety of groups can take up a large part of your day, as can managing and teaching others. You also need strong communication and people skills.

High Demand for Case Management Nurses

As health care becomes more expensive and complex, people may depend on case management nurses even more, increasing the number of job opportunities for you.

Salaries vary depending on your experience and where you work, but the median annual salary for RNs in 2008 was $62,450, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Having an advanced degree may help you earn more than case management nurses holding a bachelor's degree.