Nurse case managers typically require a valid RN license, which means they also need to have a nursing degree. While a two-year Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) is the quickest route to becoming licensed, many employers prefer or even require nurse case managers to have a four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree.
If you're interested in pursuing a career as a nurse case manager, acquiring the appropriate nursing degree and licensure is an important step.
Typically, it takes full-time students four years to complete a bachelor's degree in any academic field.
There are some employers who have a preference or requirement for case managers to hold a master's degree.
The specific type of master's degree needed can vary depending on the type of case management being pursued.
When pursuing a career as a hospital case manager, it is crucial to obtain a relevant undergraduate degree. This will equip you with the necessary skills and knowledge required to effectively work in a hospital setting and demonstrate your qualifications to potential employers.
Hospital Case Management is a collaborative practice involving Nurse and Social Work professionals who work together with physicians and other healthcare team members. The primary responsibility of a hospital Case Manager is to perform various functions related to case management.
These responsibilities can include tasks such as assessing patient needs, coordinating care and services, planning for post-discharge needs, advocating for patients, and facilitating communication among the healthcare team.
Overall, hospital Case Management plays a crucial role in ensuring that patients receive appropriate and coordinated care throughout their healthcare journey.
Two other common majors for a case manager are nursing and social work. Some of the most frequently listed colleges on resumes of case managers in the US include University of Phoenix, Florida State University, and Temple University. These institutions are highly regarded for their programs in case management.
Case management is expected to provide education that is relevant to effective care progression, appropriate care levels, and safe patient transitions for all patients needing active case management services.
At CMSA, we are dedicated to providing case management services to patients. Our organization ensures that if there is a patient, there is most likely a CMSA member providing their case management.
By becoming a member, you will have access to exclusive benefits. These include timely case management knowledge through our publications, events, and the opportunity to access over 150 complimentary continuing education courses 24/7.
If you are interested in joining us, consider signing up for an individual membership at CMSA.
The Case Management Society of America (CMSA) is the premier and most established membership association that offers various benefits and resources in the field of case management.
With a large membership base, CMSA ensures that wherever there is a patient in need, there is likely a highly skilled and professional CMSA member providing quality case management services.
While it is not mandatory for nurse case managers to be board certified, some employers may have a preference or requirement for this certification. Individuals can obtain the Case Management Nurse â Board Certified (CMGT-BCâ¢) credential after accumulating two years of nursing experience and completing 2,000 hours of case management experience.
Source: "How To Become A Nurse Case Manager" by NurseJournal.org.
The gold standard of case management certification is considered to be this certification, which can greatly enhance your reputation as an experienced professional in your field. It is the most popular and prestigious case manager certification, with over 45,000 Certified Case Managers (CCMs) holding this certification.