Nurse Case Manager Career Overview
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- Job Duties
- Work Settings
- Pros and Cons
- How to Become
- Salary and Outlook
- Nurse Care Manager vs. Nurse Case Manager
- FAQ
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how long to become
job outlook
average earning potential
What Does a Nurse Case Manager Do?
Nurse case managers develop a plan for care in collaboration with all involved in the patient’s well-being, including the patient themselves, clinicians, other providers, and insurers. Nurse case manager duties generally include:
Primary Responsibilities
- Developing a care plan for the patient.
- Considering the best value for the patient.
- Coordinating the plan’s execution with all relevant stakeholders.
- Monitoring progress on the plan.
- Communicating results and updates to all interested parties.
Skills Learned
- Communication
- Empathy
- Collaboration
- Resilience
Luis Alvarez / DigitalVision / Getty Images
Where Do Nurse Case Managers Work?
Nurse case managers work in hospitals, residential care settings, including hospice and palliative care, and for other healthcare providers. They may also work for insurance companies and healthcare payers.
Nurse case managers might find work in these common settings:
HospitalsNurse case managers identify patients in need of case management, coordinate care with other clinicians, and create a discharge plan and arrange for follow-up care after the patient is released. Some managers also help determine cost efficient use of hospital resources, such as bed occupancy.
- Residential Care
Nursing managers identify patient needs before or during the intake process, collaborate with the healthcare team, and monitor the patient’s health and adjust plans as needed.
- Insurance Providers
Nurse case managers review complex or ongoing cases, identify patients in need of care plans, and coordinate healthcare plans between providers and patients.
Why Become a Nurse Case Manager?
The nurse case manager role allows nurses to become more familiar with individual patients and their needs while providing holistic care. Nurse case managers must excel in collaboration and communication with other healthcare professionals and patients.
Advantages To Becoming a Nurse Case Manager
A deeper relationship with patients and more opportunities to see how they might affect patients’ well-being- Less physically demanding than other nursing jobs
- Work a regular schedule rather than 12-hour shifts
- Salaries typically above the U.S. average
Disadvantages To Becoming a Nurse Case Manager
Longer involvement with emotionally difficult or frustrating cases- Developing relationships with terminal patients can be emotionally taxing
- Often more paperwork and administration than other nursing roles
- May need to negotiate conflicts among stakeholders
How To Become a Nurse Case Manager
Becoming a nurse case manager requires at least a registered nurse (RN) license. Switching to case management is more common later in the RN career. The managerial role requires experience with different disease processes in order to understand such components as surgical notes and recovery periods. While certification is not legally required, it is helpful for job placement and career advancement.
How Much Do Nurse Case Managers Make?
The median nurse case manager salary is $75,304, comparable to RN salaries in general. Total pay for nurse case managers, including base salary and bonuses, ranges from $67,000-$80,000, according to Payscale as of April 2022.
Nurse case manager job growth coincides with the 32% projected growth for all medical and health services managerial jobs between 2020 and 2030. As the U.S. population ages and becomes more likely to develop chronic health conditions, the demand for nurse case managers may increase.
What Is the Difference Between a Nurse Case Manager and a Nurse Care Manager?
While both nurse case managers and nurse care managers work one-on-one with patients to plan care, case managers also consider resource allocation and the most cost-effective options for treatment.
Nurse Case Manager
Considers the most cost-effective outcomes for patients- Coordinates communication among clinical and nonclinical care providers and payers
- May work for parties other than the care provider
Nurse Care Manager
- Focuses almost entirely on clinical care
- Coordinates communication among clinical and nonclinical care providers
- Usually works for care providers
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to become a nurse case manager?
Nurse case managers must hold RN licensure. It takes at least two years of education for the ADN degree or four years for the BSN. Certification requires experience as a nurse case manager.
What skills are important for nurse case managers?
Nurse case manager roles demand effective collaboration and communication skills. Nursing managers must be able to understand different perspectives and integrate them into a care plan that optimizes value to the patient.
What opportunities for advancement are available to nurse case managers?
Nurse case managers develop experience with clinical and nonclinical aspects of care, so they can have options for advancement on either side. For example, they may pursue additional education and certification to become nurse practitioners or explore opportunities in healthcare administration.
How do nurse case managers interact with patients and other healthcare professionals?
Nurse case managers work with patients and other healthcare professionals on developing and carrying out a care plan. They may provide education for the patient and their family, discuss treatment options with physicians and other clinicians, and coordinate nonclinical care with social workers, counselors, or other care providers.
Resources for Nurse Case Managers
American Association of Managed Care Nurses
AAMCN provides education and professional development opportunities to RNs, licensed practical nurses, nurse practitioners, licensed clinical social workers, and nursing students who work in or plan to work in managed care organizations. AAMCN also offers the Certified Managed Care Nurse credential and a career center. Membership is open to nurses, nursing students, and social workers.Case Management Society of America
CMSA includes case managers of all types, including nurse case managers. It offers continuing education and other professional development resources, hosts a career center, and engages in advocacy. Full membership is open to healthcare and human services professionals with the appropriate license or certification.National Association of Case Management
NACM offers education on case management and service coordination through webinars and conferences. It also offers organizational, academic, and individual membership options. The job board regularly lists nurse case manager jobs.American Case Management Association
ACMA publishes standards of care, offers certification, provides continuing education and professional development opportunities, and hosts a job board that includes available nurse case manager positions. Membership is open to physicians, social work and nurse case managers, and other case management professionals.
Related Pages
Reviewed by:
Elizabeth Clarke (Poon) is a board-certified family nurse practitioner who provides primary and urgent care to pediatric populations. She earned a BSN and MSN from the University of Miami.
Clarke is a paid member of our Healthcare Review Partner Network. Learn more about our review partners.
Page last reviewed March 23, 2021
