by Deanna Cooper Gillingham, RN, CCM, FCM | Feb 15, 2017 |
When I started studying for the CCM Exam, I noticed the information I needed was not easy for me to find and understand.
I needed to organize my notes by knowledge domain and thought this information could help others who were studying for the exam.
I read the study guides, researched the web, spoke to a bunch of people, joined a study group, organized my notes and put the information online so I could easily access my notes from anywhere.
Thus, CaseManagementStudyGuide.com was created.
Growth of a Community
Since the launch in December of 2013, I passed the CCM exam in April of 2014 and have had thousands of visitors use the study guide, and the numbers keep growing.
We have an active Facebook group with over 1600 members. It has become a place for people to connect, share information and help each other.
I smile each time I hear someone passed because of my resources.
Along the Way, I Met Anne
Anne is a healthcare leader with over 40 years of experience as a critical care nurse, case manager, professional patient advocate, educator and digital journalist. She has expertise as an independent case manager, specializing in catastrophic case management, workers’ compensation, and long – term care. (more…)
by Deanna Cooper Gillingham, RN, CCM, FCM | Jan 22, 2017 |
Have you decided to take your nursing career to a new level by becoming a case manager, but you’re still wondering if obtaining certification is really needed?
It’s a valid question to ask yourself.
There are so many factors to consider.
When will I study? How will I pay for the exam? How will I make sure I complete the continuing education requirements?
Answers to these questions will require a solid plan.
When you consider the expanding need for certified case managers including the growing elderly population and the growing number of chronically ill patients, finding a way to get that certification is a good step in your new nursing adventure.
Here are a few reasons to become certified.
Sense of Personal Accomplishment
From that first successful IV stick to walking the line at graduation, every time you master a new nursing skill you feel great.
Obtaining certification is a mark of distinction that proves to you, your patients and the healthcare system you have acquired the knowledge to provide experienced case management to those you serve.
Increased Professional Opportunities
As healthcare continues to advance, the need for certified case managers who have the knowledge and skill to manage complex cases while saving time and money will increase.
From the increasing elderly population to more cases of chronically ill patients needing help navigating the healthcare system, the demand for certified case managers will continue to rise.
In a survey of nurse managers, 86 % indicated they would hire a certified nurse if everything else was equal.
The need for certified case managers will continue to grow, why not get certified now? (more…)
by Deanna Cooper Gillingham, RN, CCM, FCM | Aug 30, 2016
While attending the CMSA convention in Long Beach California this summer I was introduced to many new resources for case managers. By far my favorite was the Case Management Foundation. Prior to attending the convention I was unaware of the foundation and their work, so I wanted to help spread the word about this organization and the great work they are doing.
The Case Management Foundation (CMF) is a charitable organization created to support education, research, and professional development for case management professionals. They support projects and programs that help case managers in need, honor case managers who make significant contributions to the industry, contribute to case management research, and encourage collaborative and inclusive dialogue in our community.
CMF Certification Scholarships
CMF’s scholarship program awards several $500 grants to case managers who are currently experiencing an economic hardship that makes case management certification, preparation materials, or exam fee’s related to certification impossible at this time. To be eligible for the grant, applicants must have a college degree in healthcare, be working toward their case management certification, and experiencing an economic hardship. The 2016 application window is open now, and will close at 5:00 p.m. EST on October 1st. (more…)
by Deanna Cooper Gillingham, RN, CCM, FCM | Dec 14, 2015 |
This is the time of year when everyone is talking about their New Year’s Resolutions. I decided a few years back not to make resolutions. To me, resolutions seem too close to rules; “I will go to the gym every day. I won’t eat sugar.” I don’t do well with people, even myself, telling me what I can and cannot do. I get this urge to rebel which sabotages my good intentions. But I still have a thing I want to accomplish. So I have decided to forgo the resolutions for goal setting.
Goals to me, are more of destinations that I am going to. Just like a map on a long journey shows you all the places you need to go through before reaching your destination; long term goals, short term goals and actions steps direct us to get where we want to be and mark our progress along the way. We may need to take a detour or stop for a rest, but by focusing on our end destination we will eventually get there.
Harvard did a study back in 1979 where it asked their MBA students about their goals, specifically if they had them and if they were written. They found that only 3% had written goals, 13% had goals that were not written down, and the remaining 84% had no goals. 10 years later they interviewed those students and found that the 13% who had goals were earning on average, twice as much as the 84% without goals. Even more amazing, the 3% with clearly written goals were earning on average 10x more than the other 97%. This inspires me to find time to make written goals! (more…)
by Deanna Cooper Gillingham, RN, CCM, FCM | Nov 23, 2015 |
When I initially found out I would have to become certified in case management for my job, I did not think it was a big deal. I had done well in school, passed a certification exam previously, and completed plenty of continuing education units. But as the time approached for me to obtain my certification, I became anxious. I needed to find successful study strategies for the CCM Exam.
It had been a long time since I had studied. I wasn’t sure I even remembered how. In school, the teacher taught us, and then we were tested on the material. This time there was no teacher. What was I supposed to study? When I was in school, it was my job to study. Now I had a full-time job and a family to take care of. Where was I going to find the time? It all seemed overwhelming, but I got through it and so will you. Here are some things I learned along the way to help me pass my CCM Certification and I believe they will help you too.
Where to Begin?
Start off by determining what you need to know. Luckily, CCMC gives us a list of the examination content, which tells us exactly what we will be tested on and the number of questions in each of these areas. Look over the exam content and determine what areas are your strong points and what areas you need to learn more about. Once you do this you can make a list of resources you will need to study from. This can include books, workbooks, and the internet.
Schedule It
What gets scheduled gets done. What doesn’t get scheduled doesn’t get done. — Michael Hyatt
Determine when you will study. “When I get time” is not good enough. You need to schedule in your study time like you would an appointment. After looking at my schedule, I determined I did not have time to study! I tried squeezing it in after the kids went to bed, but found myself falling asleep. I decided if I was serious about this, I had to make it a priority and schedule it first thing in the morning before my 4 kids woke up. This was a huge deal for me. I am not, nor have I ever been a morning person. Getting up at 5 am to study was torture, but I did it. And the longer I did it the easier it became. (more…)
