The demand for nurses in the Care Continuum continues to rise as the population ages and healthcare needs grow more complex. At the same time, many experienced case managers are approaching retirement, widening the talent gap. Industry forecasts show a projected 9% increase in demand by 2028, highlighting both a challenging hiring landscape and a strong, expanding career pathway for nurses entering care coordination.
At Kaiser Permanente Sacramento Medical Center, the Continuum of Care (COC) team ensures safe, coordinated patient transitions. To enhance this work and prepare Patient Care Coordinators, the department launched the Relief in Higher Classification (RIHC) Program. This structured pathway enables clinical nurses with bedside experience to temporarily assume supervisor-level responsibilities, supported by targeted coaching and development.
The RIHC Supervisor role provides bedside nurses with practical experience in care coordination leadership. Under COC leader guidance, participants conduct utilization management reviews, support discharge planning, coordinate interdisciplinary rounds, monitor avoidable days, and ensure regulatory compliance. The program’s structure promotes clarity, accountability, and a supportive environment for leadership development.
Nurse Director Teresa Capina, MSN, RN, describes the program as both an operational asset and a professional development strategy. “The Relief in Higher Class Program gives our nurses a safe, mentored space to grow,” she explains. “We are intentional in our approach; each nurse is guided through utilization management, discharge processes, and daily operational oversight. This is how we build a strong pipeline of future COC leaders.”
The program emphasizes step-by-step learning, supported by experienced preceptors and leaders who demonstrate critical thinking, systems awareness, and collaborative decision making. During RIHC shifts, nurses lead daily COC huddles, review admission orders, coordinate with social services, manage DME escalations, and assist staff in resolving barriers to safe discharge. These experiences expand their understanding of patient needs and organizational priorities.t Nurse Manager Ayieda Bibb, BSN, RN, witnesses firsthand how the role transforms participants’ confidence. “You can see their thinking shift,” she shares. “They start anticipating barriers, asking deeper questions, and advocating for better transitions of care. They begin to see the bigger picture.”
Many nurses who complete the RIHC Program are prepared to pursue roles in case management, utilization review, quality, and operational leadership, demonstrating the program’s impact on career advancement. For COC leadership, the program enhances succession planning and supports daily operations with well-prepared relief supervisors.