“Elaine, thank you for being my mentor.” Me? A mentor? Wow! In 2004, I developed a 10-session study group to prepare case managers for the national certification exams. Honestly, I did not think of myself as anyone’s mentor. I just saw a need and filled it. CE opportunities for case managers were scarce, plus the closest exam review was Austin or Dallas. By doing an informal needs-assessment, I knew a certification preparation would be well-attended.
Plus, I wish I had a review class before I sat for my certification! Four years later, over 100 case managers have attended my study group and 92 percent have successfully achieved certification. There’s plenty of satisfaction in assisting other case managers achieve this professional credential, but me a mentor? That is just not how I saw myself. However, an opportunity arose that is my proudest moment and has altered my perception of how others see me.
As the nation heard more news from the Walter Reed Medical Center investigations, it occurred to me that my colleagues at Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC) and Wilford Hall Medical Center (WHMC) were faced with similar challenges. Last August, I approached two case manager colleagues, one at each military treatment facility, with the idea that my study group could meet their need to achieve certification. I proposed to bring the content to BAMC and WHMC so the case managers would not have to travel in rush hour. I developed a formal proposal for each facility and we negotiated details, especially for BAMC where there are more than 40 case managers covering in-patient, out-patient, and the Center For the Intrepid.
I knew there was some risk involved as I had little knowledge of military health care, but I’m a curious, flexible case manager so I pursued this unique opportunity. BAMC started with nine people and by our second session, we were a group of 14. The BAMC group was a bit intimidating, but they have educated me as much as I have taught them. Each session, I learn more about their case management practice and military health care. Case studies allow for lively interactions and we use humor quite a bit! Since I love to talk, both groups have access to plenty of resources and providers that they might not have been aware of. It was after one of our lively discussions that a BAMC case manager approached me to offer her gratitude. I was speechless.
Wait…I do offer insight and education for case management practice. After 25 years as an RN, 14 of those in case management, I surely have experience to share. I’m not exactly an expert, but I love to learn and share what I know. Maybe I am a mentor! Whatever I call myself, I’m proud to be a case manager and know that I make a difference. I am honored and humbled to be recognized by my military colleagues for my contributions to case management.
