What does a nurse case manager do?
A nurse case manager is a registered nurse who coordinates a patient’s care across doctors, hospitals, insurers and community services, so that treatment fits the person and costs stay in check.
The work
Assess a patient’s needs, set a care plan, arrange services such as home health and equipment, follow progress by phone or in person, and handle insurance authorizations. Settings include hospitals, insurers, home health agencies and clinics. Much of the work is desk and phone based.
Requirements
An RN license and clinical experience, often several years. The Commission for Case Manager Certification offers the voluntary certified case manager (CCM) credential. Employers value experience over any specific degree.
Pay
The BLS does not report case managers separately. The median RN earned $97,550 in May 2025.
Pay and projections: Bureau of Labor Statistics. NCLEX figures: NCSBN. Enrollment: AACN. Sources and years are ondata sources.