So, do I Need More Than One Case Management Certification? The answer is IT DEPENDS
- It depends on what employers require to work at their organizations.
- It depends on what the state where you live requires for a nurse, social worker, or other discipline to work as a case manager.
- It depends on the state where the patients you care for reside.
- It depends on your career goals and where you want to go.
Why so many letters after your name you may ask: There is a reason for the madness
If you look at my credentials you will see a variety of initials. They are MS, BHSA, RN, CCM, CRRN, CMGT-BC, and CM Fellow. Believe me, I did not gain these credentials just for the sake of having them.
The first two are advanced degrees that I chose as I moved into different areas of my career. The CCM and CRRN were required to work in the state of Florida in Workers’ Compensation.
The CMGT-BC was required as I was an author of the Nurse Case Manager Review and Resource Manual that was published by the American Nurses Credentialing Center. At the time, they required all nurses who contributed to their textbooks to hold the credential they were writing on.
The last credential was bestowed on me by the Case Management Society of America as the first class of Case Management Fellows.
Here is what each credential stands for and the organization that offers and oversees it:
- MS: Master of Science with a focus on Training and Development from St. Francis University, Chicago, IL
- BHSA: Bachelor of Health Service Administration, Barry University, Miami, FL
- RN: Registered Nurse, from Hahnemann University School of Nursing
- CCM: Certified Case Manager through the Commission for Case Manager Certification
- CRRN: Certified Registered Rehabilitation Nurse through the Association of Rehabilitation Nurses
- CMGT-BC: Case Management Nurse – Board Certified through the American Nurses Credentialing Center
- FMC: Case Management Society of American Fellowship Program
The CCM, CRRN, and CMGT-BC all were required by my employers when I worked as a case manager. I value each credential and wear them proudly as a professional nurse case manager.
How do you validate your work as you mature in your case management career?
There are several ways professionals can validate their professional growth as they mature in their chosen area. One way many choose is to go back to schools for advanced education.
When I graduated from my nursing program, the entry-level for a nurse was a Diploma or an Associate Degree from a qualified nursing program and a passing score on a written examination by the State Board of Nursing, in my case, Pennsylvania.
When I moved to Florida in 1988, I had to apply for a nursing license in Florida as that is where I was going to work. Other disciplines like social workers have specific requirements so make sure you check as you begin your career.
My credentials came after I gained experience in my role as a case manager and moved into independent practice.
Sage Advice
I advise every nurse, social worker, and other healthcare professionals who call me for advice to develop a career path early in their career. This will help you know where you want to go so you can determine what you need to do to get there.
Advanced education is expensive but gaining an advanced degree will open many doors for you as you advance in your career. In my case, I found my career in case management. When I was looking at going back to school, I chose a program that I thought would help me learn the business side of healthcare. The Bachelor’s in Health Services fit my career goals well at the time. If I could go back, I would have chosen a Bachelor’s in Nursing.
When I was ready to go back to school, I was co-owner of an educational company. I opted for a master’s degree in training and development. It fit my work at the time well and has helped me move into different areas where I could use the information I learned in a variety of ways.
In addition to having a career path, I highly recommend having a mentor so you can share your goals and get advice on how you can achieve them. Many times, you don’t see things in yourself that others will see. Hearing their point of view can give you the motivation to move forward and make decisions that help accelerate your career.
Belonging to your professional organization and being an active member will help you grow professionally and personally.
If you are looking to become an entrepreneur, join a Mastermind Group so that you can learn from a variety of people how to grow in your chosen area.
I hope this article will help you as you move forward in your career. Remember, you can do anything you set your mind to and have the perseverance to move forward despite obstacles that might arise.
Here are a few resources that will inspire you to move forward.
Case Management Fellowship Program: To learn how you can gain this important credential visit https://cmsa.org/cm-fellow
Stepping Up to Certification: in addition to the information on the various certifications, I would point you to an article that talks about validating the work that you do.
https://anne-llewellyn.s3.amazonaws.com/2021+Stepping+Up+To+Certification+1209.pdf+final+version.pdf
Nurses Moving Beyond the Bedside, There are No Limits:
https://anne-llewellyn.s3.amazonaws.com/Nurses%2C+Moving+Beyond+the+Bedside.pdf
Going the Extra Mile: My Untold Story of Becoming a Nurse:
For those that choose to obtain a case management certification check out Case Management Institutes Courses for CCM and CMGT-BC.
Case Management Certification offered through ANCC
https://casemanagementinstitute.com/nurse-case-manager-board-certification-exam-prep-course/
On-Demand CCM Prep Course
https://casemanagementstudyguide.com/case-management-certification-review-course/
Online Live CCM Prep Course
https://casemanagementstudyguide.com/online-live-ccm-prep-course/
Bio: Anne Llewellyn MS, BHSA, RN-BC, CCM, CRRN CMF, CMGT-BC is a registered nurse with over forty-three years of experience in critical care, risk management, case management, patient advocacy, and healthcare education including training and development. Anne speaks and writes frequently on topics for consumers, caregivers, and all members of the healthcare team so together we can improve each person’s healthcare experience. Follow her in her weekly Blog, Nurses Advocate where she shares stories and events that will help people be better prepared when they enter the healthcare system. https://nursesadvocates.com. You can reach Anne via email at anne@nuresesadvocates.com