What is a registered nurse case manager and how to become one

Q: How long does it take to become a Registered Nurse Case Manager?

It takes 8 years of professional experience to become a registered nurse case manager. That is the time it takes to learn specific registered nurse case manager skills, but does not account for time spent in formal education. If you include the normal education requirements to complete a college degree, then it takes 11 to 13 years years to become a registered nurse case manager.

Q: Do case managers make more than nurses?

No, case managers do not make more than nurses. A standard case manager earns around $40,000 a year compared to a registered nurse who makes around $75,000 a year. A case manager, while often can be a nurse, may also be a social worker. A nurse case manager earns a similar wage to a registered nurse (average $75,000 a year).

Q: Is RN case manager a good career?

Yes, being an RN case manager is a good career. Many RN case managers experience immense career satisfaction from helping patients navigate the sometimes overwhelming healthcare system. A registered nurse (RN) case manager also makes around $80,000 a year.

Q: What are the pros and cons of being an RN case manager?

The pros of being an RN case manager are competitive benefits and diverse opportunities, while the cons are long shifts and emotional burnout. Here is a more detailed look at the pros and cons of being an RN case manager:

Updated January 8, 2025

5 min read

Quoted experts

Lisa Rebeschi Ph.D.,

Kim Raines

A registered nurse case manager works as a healthcare professional who coordinates and manages patient care. They help patients, families, and healthcare providers to ensure patients receive proper treatment. Registered nurse case managers assess patient needs, develop care plans, monitor patient progress, and advocate for patients. They also coordinate referrals to other providers or resources. Registered nurse case managers typically have a nursing degree and license. They may work in hospitals, clinics, or healthcare settings.

What general advice would you give to a registered nurse case manager?

Lisa Rebeschi Ph.D.

Associate Dean of the School of Nursing Professor of Nursing, Quinnipiac University

One of the suggestions for new graduates is the importance of self-care. We have long known of the demanding nature of the nursing practice. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has magnified the nursing role's critical importance and the unique contributions made by nursing professionals. As the healthcare environment is extremely complex and challenging, nurses must remember to advocate for themselves and prioritize self-care.

ScoreRegistered Nurse Case ManagerUS Average

Salary

5.7

Avg. Salary $72,815

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

10.0

Growth rate 6%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

6.3

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.44%

Asian 8.89%

Black or African American 11.17%

Hispanic or Latino 9.65%

Unknown 4.31%

White 65.54%

Gender

female 91.24%

male 8.76%

Age - 43

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 43

Stress level

10.0

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

9.1

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance

7.8

Work life balance is good

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a registered nurse case manager?

Pros

Higher salary than some other nursing positions
Potential for career advancement
Chance to develop strong relationships with patients and their families
Possibility of working remotely or with flexible scheduling
Feeling of fulfillment from making a difference in patients' lives

Cons

High levels of stress and responsibility
Exposure to potential hazards, such as infectious diseases
Need to constantly adapt to changing healthcare regulations and policies
Need to balance competing demands from patients, families, and healthcare providers
Potential for burnout due to emotional demands of the job

Registered nurse case manager career paths

Key steps to become a registered nurse case manager

Explore registered nurse case manager education requirements
Most common registered nurse case manager degrees
Associate
52.9 %
Bachelor's
36.1 %
Master's
5.0 %
Start to develop specific registered nurse case manager skills
Skills Percentages
Patients 23.51%
Home Health 20.13%
Discharge Planning 5.52%
Rehabilitation 3.84%
Care Coordination 3.30%
Show more
Complete relevant registered nurse case manager training and internships
Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New registered nurse case managers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a registered nurse case manager based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real registered nurse case manager resumes.

Skills	Percentages
Patients	23.51%
Home Health	20.13%
Discharge Planning	5.52%
Rehabilitation	3.84%
Care Coordination	3.30%

Obtain the necessary licensing

Becoming a licensed registered nurse case manager usually require a college degree. However, you need to pass an exam to become a licensed registered nurse case manager in most of states. 43 states require registered nurse case managers to have license for their work. You can see the list of states below.

State	Education	Exam	License url
Alabama	Degree required	State exam required	Registered Nurse (RN)
Alaska	Degree required	Third-party exam required	Nurse, Registered
Arkansas	Degree required	Third-party exam required	Registered Nurse (RN)
California	Degree required	Third-party exam required	Nurse, Registered
Colorado	Degree required	Third-party exam required	Registered Nurse

Gain additional registered nurse case manager certifications
Registered nurse case manager certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific registered nurse case manager certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

The most common certifications for registered nurse case managers include Certified Case Manager (ACM) and Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA).

More About Certifications
Research registered nurse case manager duties and responsibilities
- Lead CNA med certification class and train staff in CPR certification.
- Direct and manage overall functions of both rehab and sub-acute units.
- Manage a 36 bed memory care unit along with a 15 LTC.
- Manage ICU\ PICU, relate to budget, staffing assignments, and evaluations.
Prepare your registered nurse case manager resume
When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your registered nurse case manager resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a registered nurse case manager resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.
Choose from 10+ customizable registered nurse case manager resume templates
Build a professional registered nurse case manager resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your registered nurse case manager resume.
Apply for registered nurse case manager jobs
Now it's time to start searching for a registered nurse case manager job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:
1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
2. Consult your professional network
3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first registered nurse case manager job

Althea Barnes

Registered Nurse Case Manager

I was working for a small hospice agency in Arkansas and reciewed a job notification on outlining a new initiative called Field Case Management. Going into the homes to help people using a collaborative approach was my idea nursing assignment. I was the first nurse hired and feel in love with this nursing role. I studied the different areas, became a certified case manager and continue to learn and grow as a nurse and in different areas of case management.

Average registered nurse case manager salary

The average registered nurse case manager salary in the United States is $72,815 per year or $35 per hour. Registered nurse case manager salaries range between $46,000 and $112,000 per year.

Average registered nurse case manager salary

$72,815 Yearly

$35.01 hourly

More registered nurse case manager salary info

What am I worth?

How do registered nurse case managers rate their job?

-/5

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Registered nurse case manager reviews

A zippia user wrote a review on Aug 2022

Pros

Helping others

A zippia user wrote a review on Aug 2020

Pros

helping people and saving lives

A zippia user wrote a review on Jan 2020

Cons

Nursing isn’t what it was 12yrs ago when I started. It is all about “family centered care” and not what is actually best for the patient. Not only am I a nurse and caring for the patient, but I’m the house keeper, waitress, and coffee go getter. There is no more respect for nurses and their patients.

Registered nurse case manager FAQs

How long does it take to become a Registered Nurse Case Manager?

Do case managers make more than nurses?

Is RN case manager a good career?

What are the pros and cons of being an RN case manager?

Have more questions? See all answers to common healthcare practitioner and technical questions.

Search for registered nurse case manager jobs

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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Updated January 8, 2025

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What is a registered nurse case manager and how to become one

What general advice would you give to a registered nurse case manager?

What are the pros and cons of being a registered nurse case manager?

Registered nurse case manager career paths

Key steps to become a registered nurse case manager

Explore registered nurse case manager education requirements

Most common registered nurse case manager degrees

Start to develop specific registered nurse case manager skills

Complete relevant registered nurse case manager training and internships

Obtain the necessary licensing

Gain additional registered nurse case manager certifications

Research registered nurse case manager duties and responsibilities

Prepare your registered nurse case manager resume

Choose from 10+ customizable registered nurse case manager resume templates

Apply for registered nurse case manager jobs

How did you land your first registered nurse case manager job

Average registered nurse case manager salary

How do registered nurse case managers rate their job?

Registered nurse case manager reviews

Registered nurse case manager FAQs

How long does it take to become a Registered Nurse Case Manager?

Do case managers make more than nurses?

Is RN case manager a good career?

What are the pros and cons of being an RN case manager?

Search for registered nurse case manager jobs