THE VALUE OF CERTIFICATION
Nurses are in an excellent position to take advantage of the
changes occurring in the health care delivery system. The professional
philosophy of nursing makes our profession especially qualified to make changes
needed to move managed care organizations from a paradigm of medicine to a
paradigm of health.
The certification process of ABMCN promotes excellence and professionalism in
managed care nursing and recognizes individuals who demonstrate an acquired body
of knowledge and expertise in managed care nursing through voluntary
certification. Nurses who pass the examination may use the initials CMCN
(Certified Managed Care Nurse) as part of their professional signatures.
This process begins with
either completion of the American Association of Managed Care Nurses (AAMCN)
“Introduction to Managed Care Nursing” home study course or an affidavit stating
completion of similar curriculum. For information on the home study course
please
click here.
PHILOSOPHY OF MANAGED CARE NURSING
Webster defines nursing as "a nurse's occupation or task; one
who is educated and licensed to care for the sick or disabled in collaboration
with other health care providers."
The managed care nurse is required to function in many different settings and
roles. In contrast to the traditional role of the nurse to provide direct
patient care at the bedside, the managed care nurse's role is to advocate for
all patients enrolled in healthcare delivery systems, to administer benefits
within the confines of the healthcare delivery system and to provide customer
service for all of the nurse's encounters with members of the healthcare
delivery system.
Managed care nurses develop and implement wellness and prevention programs,
disease management programs, quality management programs, and demand management
programs. This enables the managed care nurse to foster a proactive approach
that involves the patient in the management of his/her individual health care
needs. By utilizing a self healthcare approach, the goal of the patient is to
have a better understanding of matters relating to his/her health, to maintain a
more active life-style, and to have mental well being.
The nurse's role in managed care moves along the continuum from direct patient
care to administrator. Employers of the near future will recruit nurses who
understand the overall structure of the healthcare industry, who possess highly
developed critical-thinking skills, and who bring to their positions a
well-rounded understanding of the risks and benefits of every healthcare
decision.
