Case management is a rewarding and exciting career option for nurses. According to the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), there are over 105,000 certified case managers as of 2018. In 2007, all case manager certifications were developed according to a consensus model. The following are the two main credentialing paths for nurses interested in case management:

Certification Case Management Nursing

1. According to the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), there are over 105,000 certified case managers as of 2018.

According to the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), there are over 105,000 certified case managers as of 2018. ANCC is a private, non-profit organization that is committed to ensuring excellence in nursing practice through certification. It is also the largest and oldest nursing credentialing organization in the United States. The only organizations that offer certification for case managers include:

• American Nurses Credentialing Center – Certified Case Manager (CCM)
• National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) – Board Certified Case Manager (BCCM)

2. In 2007, all case manager certifications were developed according to a consensus model.

In 2007, all case manager certifications were developed according to a consensus model. The consensus model is a process where the opinions of a group are sought and a decision is made. This approach was used because it was felt that nurses would be more likely to accept the certification if it was developed by nurses rather than outside organizations such as hospitals or businesses.

3. The following are the two main credentialing paths for nurses interested in case management.

The following are the two main credentialing paths for nurses interested in case management.

• RN-CCM: Registered Nurse Case Management certification is offered by ANCC and NCCM, which stands for the National Certification Corporation for Medical Case Management (NCCMC). To earn this designation, you must pass one exam and complete a portfolio that includes submitting a cover letter, resume and three work products. To maintain your license, you must complete 100 hours of continuing education every two years.
• Advanced Practice RN-CCM: This credential requires an Advanced Practice registered nurse (APRN) license in addition to passing an exam from NCCMC. You also need to provide proof of at least 3 years of experience as a case manager or having worked with a case manager for 15 hours per week over each of those 3 years; submit a cover letter and resume; attach three work samples; and meet continuing education requirements annually.

4. About 30,000 to 35,000 nurses take the ANCC exam each year and about 85 percent pass.

The ANCC certification exam is a computer-based test administered twice a year, in January and July. It is offered in English and Spanish, as well as Portuguese. A minimum score of 70 percent is required to pass the exam; however, candidates with scores below that may continue studying for future exams.

5. After passing the certification examination, a nurse will be considered a RN-CCM or Advanced Practice RN-CCM.

There are two levels of certification: RN-CCM and Advanced Practice RN-CCM.

The RN-CCM is a registered nurse with a case management certification. The Advanced Practice RN-CCM is a registered nurse with a case management certification and specialty certification in one of the following specialties: Critical Care, Family Health, Gerontology/End of Life Care, Medical Surgical Nursing or Oncology/Hematology. An advanced practice nurse is defined as an individual who has met specific education requirements and passed the appropriate national certifying exam to provide primary health care services (including diagnosis) above that provided by an LPN or LVN under the direction of physicians

6. There are two major paths to pursue your nursing case management certification

There are two major paths to pursue your nursing case management certification.

The first is the RN-CCM, which requires you to have an active license as a registered nurse and meet the education requirements for a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN) or its equivalent. Candidates who hold an RN license will only be required to complete six hours of qualifying coursework online at The University of Arizona College of Nursing, while candidates with a BSN or higher degree can complete their coursework through any accredited institution that offers approved courses. Once you’ve earned your certificate and met all other program requirements, you’ll be eligible for certification following examination.

To earn your Advanced Practice RN-CCM certification, begin by meeting the same educational requirements as those outlined above for earning an RN-CCM certificate: You must hold an active license as a registered nurse; have completed at least three years of clinical experience within the last five years; and possess current competency within specialty areas such as case management, home health care/hospice care administration or community health organization administration. As part of this program’s curriculum requirement, candidates must take part in 400 hours of clinical training focused on evidence-based practice over two semesters (fall & spring). If you’re planning on starting out in another career field entirely but want some additional education before switching over into nursing case management (NCM), this could be just what you need!

Closing

If you’re ready to start your journey as a certified case manager, be sure to check out the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) website for all of the details on how to get started.