working for insurance company?

Hello All!

Ok, I'm desperate to find a job where I can work weekends and evenings only to avoid putting my little guy in daycare. Thing is....I have no hospital experience as an RN and the only things I'd be interested in doing inpatient (like NICU) I would never be hired to do part time working evenings and weekends only.

Right now, my family is my priority, and I want to avoid daycare for multiple reasons. I'm exploring all my options, and one of them is working for an insurance company (telephonic position). It's basically pt ed over the phone.

Does anyone out there work for an insurance company? If so, how do you feel about it?

Any thoughts (especially from nurses who have or are currently working for an insurance company)?

Thanks!
Alma
Quote from AlmabellaHello All!Ok, I'm desperate to find a job where I can work weekends and evenings only to avoid putting my little guy in daycare. Thing is....I have no hospital experience as an RN and the only things I'd be interested in doing inpatient (like NICU) I would never be hired to do part time working evenings and weekends only.Right now, my family is my priority, and I want to avoid daycare for multiple reasons. I'm exploring all my options, and one of them is working for an insurance company (telephonic position). It's basically pt ed over the phone.Does anyone out there work for an insurance company? If so, how do you feel about it? Any thoughts (especially from nurses who have or are currently working for an insurance company)?Thanks!Alma

As my screen name implies, I work for a HMO in western NY as a Certified Case Manager. It is a fantastic job. But I must caution you, it is a job where you need to know something about everything, you must be able to prioritize and then change gears at a seconds notice. I doubt very seriously that if I had not worked for so many years at a hospital that I would be able to do this job. I know many hospitals in my area that would definitely hire someone for part time evenings and weekends, but I doubt in NICU w/o previous experience.Good luck in whatever you choose.

I would like to mention that telephonic disease management will be a different role than that of case manager. It is not likely to be as fast-paced. Our HMO has trended away from a disease management model. Most of us "old guard" nurses still feel that it's important, but with limited staff the administration wanted to concentrate on high-risk/high-dollar patients. Makes sense, just wish we had more staff to focus on prevention. I have not worked in a hospital since 1988. My only hospital experience since graduation from my nursing program has been in labor and delivery, postpartum and nursery. So I would not be an appropriate choice for med-surg inpatient case manager . . . but I am a licensed midwife, which is why I was assigned to perinatal! :spin:

Look at the fine print. Several insurance companies told me that they required you to work allnighters to get things done. And they made you sign a form stating that you were aware that this job did not guarantee that you would be working the hours that you wanted. When I asked around, I found out that they had a high turnover and those that were left were having to work OT, at odd times of day, etc. to cover. And if you refused to do all the extra work you were sent packing. They wanted me to give them my life. The hospital do to but they usually don't make you sign a statement to that effect. Which makes it kinda hard to fight.

Quote from nizhoniI would like to mention that telephonic disease management will be a different role than that of case manager. It is not likely to be as fast-paced. Our HMO has trended away from a disease management model. Most of us "old guard" nurses still feel that it's important, but with limited staff the administration wanted to concentrate on high-risk/high-dollar patients. Makes sense, just wish we had more staff to focus on prevention.

Quote from RN1989Look at the fine print. Several insurance companies told me that they required you to work allnighters to get things done. And they made you sign a form stating that you were aware that this job did not guarantee that you would be working the hours that you wanted. When I asked around, I found out that they had a high turnover and those that were left were having to work OT, at odd times of day, etc. to cover. And if you refused to do all the extra work you were sent packing. They wanted me to give them my life. The hospital do to but they usually don't make you sign a statement to that effect. Which makes it kinda hard to fight.

are you a new grad?? can you work med surg or telemetry? most telemetry floors have weekend programs and i doubt you will have a hard time finding a hospital that doesn't have evenings and weekends only. the regular staff will love you for working weekends that they don't want to work. i know you are only interested in NICU, but you have to get your experience some where. good luck on what you decide.

Quote from RN1989Look at the fine print. Several insurance companies told me that they required you to work allnighters to get things done. And they made you sign a form stating that you were aware that this job did not guarantee that you would be working the hours that you wanted. When I asked around, I found out that they had a high turnover and those that were left were having to work OT, at odd times of day, etc. to cover. And if you refused to do all the extra work you were sent packing. They wanted me to give them my life. The hospital do to but they usually don't make you sign a statement to that effect. Which makes it kinda hard to fight.

Quote from almabellajust curious, what is this type of work like? the job description says something like "handle incoming calls in order to provide information that will empower them to make positive healthcare choices." sounds good enough. does the drive to save $$$ ever impact what kind of advice you can give patients, since you are working for the insurance company (and not the pt)? not sure that'd sit too well with me...

Thanks for the responses! No, I'm not a new grad, and I do have a wide variety of experience working w/ pretty much every age group in the community setting. The job description makes no mention of case management, so I don't think that is part of the role. It does say a background in telephonic triage is helpful.And no, this would not be a substitute for childcare. The position is weekend and evening, and I think to begin I would be working on site, with the potential to work from home at some future point.I appreciate the advice here!

for alden:there is plenty of work for nurses in the life insurance industry but you need to have phelbotomy skills for a lot ofthem. The pay is good at most. I find it more rewarding then the hospital or nursing home, as you have the opportunity to travel and you seem to have exposure to many more people. You can set your own hours which is another nice aspect of it. Insurance companies really value and appreciate their nurses I find more than any othersetting. It is nice to be where you are needed and appreciated. The pay is good to travel. I look forward to out oftown trips, you get a change of scenery at the same time as working. You are also called into many different work environments, you never get bored as you are never in the same place. So far I have been to all kinds of stores, airports, many different places. I went through great disappointment in my location trying to find work, and glad I did not let other people stop me from continuingto find a good place.I am pretty much making the same income I was working in a facility. One company had even recognized meand gave me and award. Most companies require that you keep your license up to date and skill level. Hope this helps somejulianna