Insurance Career Secrets: A blog about the best and fastest ways to become a field nurse case manager
You have decided to pursue a career as a field nurse case manager. Congratulations! This is a very rewarding career to pursue and you’ll work with patients throughout their treatment process. But many students have questions about how to become a field nurse case manager: What do you need to take? How do you get licenses as a field nurse case manager? And what, ultimately, is the job of a field nurse case manager?
A field nurse case manager, or FNCM for short, is a challenging job and there are many cases where it is difficult to follow the changes in legislation and adapt to those changes. But, this job can also be rewarding too.
Not only do case managers help patients to improve their general wellbeing, but they also help the medical community. It could be said that case managers are the unsung – yet precious – heroes of the healthcare sector. To understand what is case management and how to become an entry-level case manager, it is first crucial to understand what exactly is a nurse case manager.
A field nurse case manager is a medical professional who deals with patients in both outpatient and inpatient settings. To become a case manager, you have to go through schooling and training.
What education requirements do I need to become a field nurse case manager?
There are multiple steps to becoming a nurse case manager. Each step is significant and important for you to learn about before you attempt to become one. It is also important to make sure that this type of career choice is one that you would enjoy and excel in.
- Go to school for four years at an accredited nursing program. This can be obtained through community college, trade school or a university program.
- Obtain your license as a registered nurse (RN). You can either take the NCLEX-RN exam or the State Board test from your state’s board of nursing. For example, if you live in Texas and attend school there, you will take the Texas State Board exam to become licensed as an RN in that state.
- Take continuing education courses each year as required by your state’s board of nursing, so that you may maintain your license as an RN.
- Obtain your certification to become a nurse case manager (CCM). This certification will prove that you have the education, skills and knowledge necessary to practice as a nurse case manager. To obtain this certification, you must meet all of the requirements set by the Commission for Case Manager Certification and pass their exam.
Nurse case managers must be registered nurses. Aspiring registered nurses need, at a minimum, an associate degree in nursing (ADN) from an accredited institution. However, many employers prefer to hire candidates with a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degree. To qualify for an ADN or BSN program, candidates need a high school diploma or its equivalent and must have completed courses in algebra, biology, chemistry and anatomy and physiology.
Registered nurses who wish to become nurse case managers usually complete a graduate certificate program in nursing case management. These programs typically include advanced coursework in topics such as medical informatics, leadership and promotion of wellness.
Aspiring nurse case managers can also pursue a master’s degree in nursing with a concentration in case management. This type of degree program offers students the chance to take advanced nursing coursework as well as electives in topics such as statistics and health care policy.
How much money can I make as a field nurse case manager?
If you go into case management, the sky is really the limit when it comes to income potential. As a field nurse case manager, you will be responsible for overseeing patients’ treatment plans after they leave the hospital. This can take place in many different settings — at home, through rehabilitation centers, through nursing homes and more.
You will also be responsible for making sure that your patients receive appropriate care from their doctors and specialists. Because of this, you will have much more flexibility over your schedule than if you were to work as a staff RN in a hospital.
Field nurse case managers earned an average annual salary of $76,000 as of September 2019. The lowest 10 percent of earners made $48,000 or less, while the highest 10 percent made $103,000 or more.
Nurses with more experience can expect to earn a higher salary. On average, nurses with 20 years of experience earn nearly $90,000 per year. Those with fewer than five years’ experience make an average of just under $70,000 annually.
Field nurse case managers who work in management occupations earn the highest salary in the field – nearly $85,000 per year. Those who work in ambulatory healthcare services earn the second-highest salary at nearly $83,000 per year on average.
What are the job responsibilities as a field nurse case manager?
Case management is the method by which a patient’s care is planned, coordinated, and monitored. Case managers may be responsible for patients’ medical needs, or they may focus on social services, financial concerns, and other issues that impact a patient’s health.
Case managers work with physicians, patients, families, and insurance companies to create plans for improving the patient’s health. Patients with chronic conditions or who are recovering from surgery often benefit from case management services.
A field nurse case manager works in a variety of environments, including the client’s home, hospitals, mental health facilities, outpatient clinics, rehabilitation centers and schools.
A field nurse case manager assists with coordinating care and services for her clients. These professionals provide support and direction to family members who are caring for their loved ones. They also help clients locate resources to improve their quality of life. Some field nurse case managers specialize in geriatric care. Field nurse case managers must have excellent communication skills to convey information to clients about their health status and treatment options.
If you’re looking to break into the healthcare industry and care for patients, a nursing case management role might be the best route for you. Get in touch with a Questpro representative today to find the best role for you!
