In a word, Yes.

Almost half of our graduates are already employed in RNCM roles while almost 55% of nurses are preparing for employment in RNCM roles.

Nurses in both groups report that success in the role and an increased understanding of how to better meet the needs of chronically ill populations, including older adults, is a main reason for enrolling in the Program.

The National RN Case Manager Certificate Program™ is designed specifically to prepare you for practice as a RN Case Manager, Care Manager or Care Coordinator.

This role prepares you to work across the health care continuum including acute care, primary care, and long term services and supports.

Download/View “Reasons to Complete a Certificate Program”

RNs have specific reasons for enrolling in the National RNCM Certificate Program™ which include:

• Gaining specialized knowledge to practice in the role
• Increasing confidence in their ability to implement and perform the role
• Positioning themselves for specialty credentialing/board certification

Download/View “Nurses Identify Need for Specialized Education in Preparing and Implementing RNCM Practice Roles”

If you find this to be a confusing issue you are not alone. Most nurses have questions about this.

To start with it is important to understand that there is a distinction between certificate education and board certification. In nursing education when RNs prepare in a new area of practice a Certificate of Completion is awarded. This is what you receive upon successful completion of the National RN Case Manager Certificate Program. Your Certificate is important as it demonstrates to an employer that you have acquired specialized knowledge and are prepared to practice in RNCM roles. Your Certificate also builds on your nursing degree(s) and should be added to the Education section of your resume.

The National RN Case Manager Certificate Program is a 32 CE ANCC approved professional development activity focused on role development.  This program prepares you for practice while board certification involves taking and passing a national exam to achieve specialty credentialing. There is not currently an education only pathway to board certification. Instead practice hours in the role are required by certifying organizations.

To Help You Think About How This Fits with Your Professional Goals:

Download/View “The Difference Between Certificate Education and Specialty Certification”
Download/View “RNCM Practice Development: Guide to Board Certification“

This patient centered pathway in case management emerged with the passage of the Affordable Care Act (2010). Nurses in these roles partner proactively with populations of patients to implement best practice and evidence-based strategies shown to improve patient health outcomes while reducing care fragmentation and managing costs. This pathway is different from case manager roles which emerged with the implementation of managed care in which RNCMs were likely to be more focused on resource management and utilization review more specific to hospitals and insurance companies. 

Download/View “RN Characteristics for RNCM Role Success”

While no education program can guarantee employment, the National RNCM faculty is proud to have prepared nearly 1000 RNs for RN Case Manager, Care Manager and Care Coordination positions throughout private and public healthcare organizations, the Veterans Health Administration and the Indian Health Service.

These nurses are now practicing throughout the U.S. Healthcare system in acute, primary, public health and long term care settings and working to improve health outcomes in the patient populations that they are partnered with.

Download/View National RNCM Tip Sheet: “Securing an RNCM Position”

Many nurses already practicing in RNCM positions recognize that the complexity of patients with multiple chronic conditions concurrent with the changes occurring within the U.S. healthcare system requires specialized
knowledge to support RN role success and full scope practice.

Download/View National RNCM “Sample Letter to Employer”

Download/View “Checklist for Requesting Employer Support for Education”