LISA JOHNSTON, BSN, RN, CM

• Job: Case manager in the neuroscience unit at Northside Hospital in Atlanta.

• What I do: "As a hospital-based case manager, I help coordinate care and perform utilization reviews for patients. Insurance companies look closely at length of stay, and I make the calls to justify that the hospital care they are getting is necessary.

"My job is also to make sure that patients have continuity of care after they leave the hospital. Many times our patients have complex, catastrophic injuries and it takes a lot of coordination between doctors, nurses, insurance companies and rehab facilities to make sure the patient gets what he needs."

• What got me interested in this: "There was a case manager in our unit and she obviously loved what she did. After 20 years in nursing, I was ready for a good, positive change, so I applied for the position of case manager internship and got it.

"The woman who originally inspired me became my mentor for a year. I've been working as a case manager for about 18 months and I skip to work every day. I love it."

• Best part of the job: "The patients. Helping them and their families is the best part. From the moment a patient comes in with a spinal cord or brain injury, I start working to get him moved to a rehabilitation center after he is medically stabilized.

"The family is usually overwhelmed and petrified. I let them know what is available and why it's important for the patient to start rehab as quickly as possible."

• Most challenging part of the job: "Finding rehab centers for our patients, many of whom have lost their insurance [along] with their jobs. Medicaid only pays for primary hospitalization — not rehab or skilled nursing — so it's a real challenge to find resources."

• What people don't know about my job: "How many things we do and can do. There's usually a line outside my door at 8 a.m. and phone calls after hours. At any given time, there are 15 irons in the fire that need immediate attention.

"As a nurse, I can anticipate clinical needs long term. Patients don't see the fights we sometimes go through to get them what they need."

• What keeps me going: "Families are so appreciative when you get their patient into a good place. They come back and thank you.

"I also work with the best group of people. The nurses on the floor give me so much support."