Qualifications/Skills of a Nurse Case Manager

Becoming a nurse case manager is similar to other nursing specialties, even though it is a very different type of nursing specialty than many others that are found in the hospital setting. While nurse case managers can frequently be found working in the hospital setting, it’s common to find nurse case managers in hospice settings, home health care and other outpatient settings, too.

As with other nursing specialties, the road to becoming a nurse case manager starts with two letters: R and N. The first thing that you must do to become a Case Manager nurse is graduate from an accredited nursing program. Once you check that off your list, you need to pass the NCLEX and obtain your state RN license. 

Once you’re officially a registered nurse with a valid state nursing license, you can pursue the path toward a nurse case manager specialization. From here, it’s time to get started finding nurse case manager jobs and discerning if you have all the other qualifications to meet the needs of these prospective employers. Because of the nuances of this specialty, the role of a case manager in nursing may require additional experience or qualifications in some settings. 

A key way to demonstrate your commitment to your role as a nurse case manager is to pursue certification. The American Case Management Association (ACMA) offers a certification known as the ACM Certification. It was created by ACMA in 2005 and is designed specifically for health delivery system and transitions of care (TOC) case management professionals--including both nurses and social workers. You could also consider the Commission for Case Management Certification (CCMC), which offers the CCM credential. 

Read More About Case Manager Travel Nursing Salary and Requirements from the links below.