By Karen Hooven, RN, BSN, CRRN, CCM
Time goes by. Time is a river. Time flies when you are having fun. Time stops for nobody.
We have all heard sayings all the time. We have all used time metaphors. No time like the present! Time is a tapestry woven with the threads of countless memories.
Time moves on. Sometimes we sure wish it could stop, especially if we are having the most wonderful experience! On another note, we want it to stop when something negative happens.
At Walt Disney World, there is a ride called “The Carousel of Progress” with a theme song that says, “Now is the time, now is the time now is the best time of your life.” This catchy song plays in your head for a long time after exiting the ride!
What a great suggestion. Now is the best time of your life! Take each day and moment in time, and do what we want!
We have come to the end of another year. Think back in 2024, what did you not have time to do? What do you wish you had more time for? Would you go back and change anything?
We cannot go back and change anything that already occurred, but we can strive to manage our time better in 2025. We could manage our time to complete a couple of projects, go on that lunch date with a friend, or participate in a fun activity. Start thinking NOW what you want to do with your time.
Joining and taking part in CMSA does take time management, especially if you would like to be actively involved with a group, such as membership, or consider writing a blog or article for CMSA Today.
Case management is about continuous growth and development. One way to do that is to grow as a leader. CMSA offers opportunities for self-development that may take time to do, but it is time well spent.
Check at your place of employment for any opportunities to listen to work-related podcasts or modules during a lunch break. If there is a course you would like to take, decide and speak with your manager. You may be saying right now in your head, “I don’t have time to do that”. Make the time. Time is a commitment to yourself. Start with a small goal, such as listening to a podcast once a month. Enroll in a course that offers quarterly or bi-monthly participation.
When we grow, our practice as case managers flourishes. Set aside time daily to learn something related to your area of practice. Consider attending the 2025 Case Management Conference in Dallas.
I round with my staff daily. I learn from them, and they learn from me. I find out the most interesting things when I round. It may be a complex case with a twist able resolved through creative thinking by the floor case manager. Or it could be a staff member needs help with a problem. Whatever it is that your staff may share with you, take the time to listen and help.
Time flies. I do not know where 2024 went, but I know where 2025 is going for me. Learning and growing as a leader is especially important to me. My goal for 2025 is to be the best leader I can be.
As a chapter leader (co-founder and current president of the Cleveland Chapter of CMSA), I would like to grow the chapter and its board.
As the Vice Chair of the national membership committee, I would like to grow the membership of CMSA.
Time stops for no one and nothing. It keeps ticking. Enjoy your time and think how you want to spend it.
As a CMSA member, you’re part of a community of professionals who share your commitment to quality care, advocacy, and continuous learning.
Join today and connect with thousands of like-minded individuals ready to support you: https://cmsa.org/membership/
Bio: Karen Hooven RN BSN CRRN CCM is the manager of the Care management dept at Cleveland Clinic Medina Hospital. She has over 25 years of case management experience-Acute and Rehabilitation. She is the co-founder of the Cleveland Chapter of CMSA, now 8 years old, and is the current president of the chapter.