The Job Outlook for Managed Care Nurses
Job Market Outlook October 25, 2013Managed care nursing is a growing and rewarding profession. As the American population ages and more and more emphasis places on preventative health care, there will be an increased need for managed care nurses.
What Is a Managed Care Nurse?
Managed care nurses work with those who receive public assistance for health care. The largest population is those over age 65 who qualify for Medicare. However, others, such as those receiving Medicare or those on local public assistance programs, also work with managed care nurses. Managed care nurses might be employed by hospitals, community clinics, a doctor’s office, a nursing home or a health insurance company.
Job Duties and Responsibilities
Managed care nurses help to educate the groups of people under their care about preventative medicine, managing chronic health conditions and wellness issues, like early pregnancy care and immunizations. They also act as an advocate for patients with health care facilities and insurance companies.
Education Requirements
To become a managed care nurse, you must first become a registered nurse (RN). That means successfully completing an accredited nursing program or earning an Associate Science Degree in Nursing or a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing (BSN.) In addition, a managed care nurse must be a licensed RN in the state in which he or she practices. He or she must also pass the Certified Managed Care Nurse exam.
Though clinical experience is not required by law, it is beneficial to have at least several years’ experience as an RN before seeking employment in managed care nursing since many managed care nurses work in settings with minimal supervision. Most nurses sitting for the Certified Managed Care Nurse exam have been three and five years’ experience as a registered nurse.
Good communication skills are a plus in managed nursing, as such nurses often act as a liaison among patients, doctors, insurance agencies and government funding organizations.
Salary and Job Outlook
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), registered nurses in all fields make an average of $65, 690 annually or about $31 per hour. Salaries for managed care nurses, since they work with publicly-funded institutions, are on the low end of this scale. Salaries vary by the employer, specialty and region, but managed care nurses can expect an annual salary of between $35,000 and $55,000.
Managed care nurses in supervisory roles command larger salaries. A managed care nurse supervisor in a major market like New York City can expect a salary approaching $100,000 annually.
The need for nurses of all types is growing. The BLS estimates that more than 700,000 new nursing jobs will be created over the next eight years.
