If you’re a nurse looking for a role where you can truly guide the patient journey, care management, also called case management, might be the perfect fit. RN Case/Care Managers are like general contractors for patient care, coordinating with doctors, bedside nurses, specialists, insurance companies and post-acute care providers—and ensuring each patient receives quality, individualized care from admission to discharge.  

For Rosemar, an RN Care Manager at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, California, transitioning into this role was a natural evolution of her nursing journey.  

A new path and a renewed purpose 

Rosemar didn’t begin her career in healthcare. She started as a bookkeeper and accountant in the Philippines. After moving to the U.S., her life took a turn when she experienced personal loss. “My mom got sick with cancer, and I went back to the Philippines and took care of her,” she says. At the time, Rosemar had no healthcare training. But caring for her mother sparked something in her.  “She passed away, and it kind of gave me motivation to try a different career in nursing.”  

Since becoming a nurse 28 years ago, she’s worked in both clinic and hospital settings—ambulatory care, surgery, pre-op and med surg. She even owned a residential care facility for the elderly for 14 years. “I really loved trying different aspects of nursing,” she says. “When my kids went to college, I was suddenly an empty nester, so I decided to go back and work in the hospital setting.” 

She chose Providence because of our Mission to serve all, especially the poor and vulnerable. “Every time you go into the hospital, you feel like you’re connected,” she shares “I feel like I’m walking in spirituality. If you enjoy doing your job, it becomes your mission.” 

Combining finance, business and nursing skills as an RN Care Manager 

Rosemar says that care management beautifully combines her nursing skills, finance background and the practical business experience she gained as a business owner. “Case management is more about guiding and leading than bedside nursing, but I do get some of that.”  

Each patient admitted to the hospital is assigned to a care manager. “I introduce myself, verify their demographics and do a detailed assessment as to where they come from, what’s their situation at home, are they alone, do they have family, do they have support at home, do they have transportation. You don’t wait until they get discharged, and oops, you find out they need something.”  

Planning ahead helps ensure a smooth transition of care—and avoids unnecessary delays and costs. Medicare guidelines require adherence to specific rules, such as not exceeding a hospital stay. If a patient doesn’t meet the criteria for inpatient hospitalization, care managers like Rosemar work to find an appropriate level of care, such as a nursing home or home health.  

“I want to make sure we don’t have waste in insurance,” she says. “I make sure the resources are utilized in a cost-effective way, while protecting the quality of care at the same time. This is why it’s very important that you meet with the patient and their family on the day that they get admitted to the hospital, even in the emergency room.” 

Rosemar’s thoughtful, coordinated care helps set patients up for a successful recovery. “I make sure they have the community resources, equipment, whatever they need to go from the hospital to their home, nursing home, acute rehab facility or long-term acute care facility. I want to make sure that when they leave the hospital, they don’t get readmitted.” 

The importance of teamwork   

Rosemar emphasizes that her work involves working with a multidisciplinary team—doctors, nurses, social workers, liaisons from nursing homes, insurance companies, Medicare and other hospitals—as well as patients and their families. 

Even on challenging days when she’s juggling 30 or more cases at once, Rosemar finds great fulfillment in the camaraderie she shares with her colleagues. They meet at the start and end of each day, and she says, “What I love most about my team is that we support each other through all the ups and downs.”  

That teamwork is essential for navigating staffing changes and evolving care models, and Rosemar’s team’s shared dedication to the Providence Mission creates a sense of unity that she treasures.   

Advice for aspiring RN Care Managers   

For anyone thinking about a career in care/case management, Rosemar says, “You need to be a multitasker and detail-oriented to succeed. It’s not as physically tiring as bedside nursing, but the pace is lively, and you’ll be juggling many meetings, discharges and admissions.”  

Rosemar also emphasizes the importance of good time management and an open, compassionate attitude. “It’s essential to stay calm and focused. If you tend to get frustrated easily, this might not be the right role for you.”  

A fulfilling life in and out of work   

Outside of work, Rosemar approaches life with the same enthusiasm she has for her career. She enjoys yoga, hiking and leading community walks at her temple, focusing on self-care and personal development. “I recently started learning the piano, and I spend quality time with friends and family,” she says. “Work stress doesn’t bother me because I feel happy inside. I’m in a good place both personally and professionally. I’ve supported my siblings, raised my children and now I’m relishing this new phase of my career.” 

Join us in care management   

Providence offers a community where you can grow, collaborate and create lasting impacts on patients’ lives. If you’re interested in pursuing a role as a Care Manager or Case Manager RN with us in Southern California, explore current openings today.