How does one learn to be a UM or CM after many years of bedside nursing?
Just apply for either of those positions. I worked for an insurance company after bedside nursing as an appeal consultant and then as a CM in the hospital. Good luck.
Apply to CCMC, to get certified in case management; It's not as difficult as what you will hear from others;apply to insurance companies: all offer work at home positions; try, Humana, Aetna, BCBS,CVS,; with your resume break down your bedside nursing into skills: IE; documentation, organization skills, work with computers, medication management, able to work under pressure, able to handle multiple patients, list disease and chronic conditions manage; try my perfect resume; very inexpensive and they offer excellent service and follow-up recommendations with your resume. Good luck; one last thing: when you apply to these companies, apply to all positions that you are qualified for; if you get rejected, apply again- don't get side tracked by this.
Most nurses start at the bedside then transition to other jobs and specialties. Bedside nursing is the foundation. Many years at the bedside provides you with knowledge, skills, and attitude when thinking about something different. For case managers, this is a perfect opportunity and transition. You already do discharges and identify potential problems at discharge as a staff nurse. This is part of case management; in addition to, coordinating post discharge care like home health, hospice, dialysis, etc. I'd recommend you find resources and read about the critical functions of a case manager. Another opportunity is to spend time shadowing a case manager. Talk with your hospital education department to see if this is a possibility on your day off. If you have a friend who works at another hospital, you can seek the same opportunity. This could be done on a couple of days you are off. Equip yourself with knowledge, so when the time comes to interview, you are confident while describing your bedside nursing skills which are similar or complement those of a case manager.
you can try the CM department at the hospital or facility that you are currently working. Your clinical expertise is much needed in these in CM or UM. That is how I made the transition years ago.
Apply with your interest.
First of all not all nurses want to be Unit managers. Those that do need to complete the requires courses such as ACLS PALS etc. post course work I highly recommend a management course at a collegiate level and a course on workplace dynamics. This assists in showing the nurses strengths and the strengths with in her staff making it more beneficial to all parties as the nurse begins their new adventure in practice.
We are hiring and considering nurses without um or cm experience. You can send your resume to HealthComp at [email protected]. Attention Monica Bender. You do need practical nursing experience to apply.
