What is the best way to transition from being a NICU nurse going on 7 years to a career in case management? Any and all advice and direction is greatly appreciated! Thank you!
Having experience on the floor in an acute setting is an important qualification for a case management position. Case Management basically revolves around care communication and coordination making sure that patient health issues are addressed by using an interdisciplinary approach and also supporting an appropriate plan for discharge or care transitions and also preventing unnecessary hospital readmissions. (Getting familiarized with insurance, quality measures and etc. will come along as you progress with the role.).
You can take online courses for the CCM accreditation which is what gets you in the door.
Hello. I transitioned from CCU to inpatient case management. I was 'known' in the hospital which allowed me to be welcomed into the department. Once you have that experience it will open you up
many 'Work from home' types of case management. Good luck to you.
Perhaps you can speak with the head of case management at your current hospital. They may need help and be willing to train on the job. Actively sign up for job alerts for case management positions. Other hospitals may be willing to train you in the position. If you can afford it, investigate taking a case management course to get the training and official certification.
I transitioned from direct patient care to case management by filling in for a case manager going out on maternity leave. I liked it so much, I continued! I would say the best way is to ask other case managers what they do, see if it interests you. If so, apply for a position.
Study NCC NICU CEUS. CONSUDER long term care, working with NICU graduates, with tubes, etc.. you will fotm rationships with relevant professionals who can provides references for your transition while you obtain personal experience. Home health often follow up on NICU discharges to draw labs from central lines. Each of these opportunities will help. Take APA Neonatal Resuscitation And STABLE Courses. Working with adults in the hospital will not help as ped/ NICU patients are not little adults. When you mix either NICU nurses ask about opening.
Working for California Children's Services or similar would be a great fit. Apply at the Public Health Department. You can approve/deny NICU stays(coverage), do home visits on discharges and developmental testing. Working at a High Risk Infant Specialty Center would put you in a collaborative team. INLAND REGIONAL CENTER or any regional center follow jp on high risk infants. Yhis is your population for expertise, regarding durable medical equipment , surgeries, etc. If you have neonatal heart or other specialty experience. Consider being a Clinicsl Specialist.
It takes some orientation especially if you plan to work with adults. I worked in interventional cardiology then went into case management in mother baby and NICU. It took me almost a year because I only worked with adults prior to that. But it was so interesting and I was driven to learn all I could. In the second year a position opened in Rehab and I felt more comfortable working there. Finally ended up in oncology after seven years. I loved it. Just be open and hope you get a great mentor as I had. Good luck.
NICU is all on the job experience, so there isn't really anything you can do except get a job in NICU and soak up all the learning you will do. It is a huge learning curve. I have been in the NICU for 20year and I know my unit is always looking to hire.
I would like to get back into the NICU after being away for 14 years! Good luck to you!
