some questions about taking coding course

I am an LPN and have some questions about coding. I have not worked since 2004 and have been on disability. I have sarcoidosis and have been sick off and on over the years. However, I have been stabilized over the last two years. I am ready to return to work. Unfortunately, I have minimal experience. My background is mainly behavioral health. Although, I have worked in geri-psych. We were not a medical facility. But, assessment skills needed to be sharp as to when pt. needed to be seen in ER. I did have a few patients with g-tubes, a colostomy, and trach that I have cared for. And, this was back in 2001-2002. The unit I worked on was great with the teamwork. We were all hand-picked by the director. Unfortunately, they closed the geri unit. And, I just continued to work in adolescents, childrens in acute and residential settings.

I am looking for work that is not going to be very strenuous. And, there are not many opportunites for an LPN with minimal experience. I did not graduate until 1996. I graduated at the age of 39. I tried to work in LTC after I passed boards in 1997. However, I did not last long. I was overwhelmed with the amount of pts. to care for. I only worked PT and was in bed on my days off. So, I quit after two months.

Currently, I am going to my local OVR for career counseling. I feel really bad to totally leave the medical field. I am still paying on loans from nursing school. So, I am checking out coding. I consulted the one school where I graduated from in 1993 with MOA degree. Of course, they are trying to encourage me to get HIT degree. But, I only want the necessary coding classes and get certified. At this school, they have the CPT one quarter and the ICD9 class the next. So, it means that I would have to start the CPT class within two weeks. Also, I need to test out of the anatomy and medical terminology course witha B before I take the coding classes. For one, I am nervous that they would make the A&P test very difficult. I should pass it, but I would need to review and have no clue what to review. And, I would be so embarrassed if I did not pass with a B. And, this school wants $250 a credit. I would be taking 6 credits. I think that is quite expensive. My counselor said that I should receive some financial assistance, but they would not pay for me to get another degree. I should not need another degree. I am already 51. All, I want is the coding and the certification. And, this school does not even offer the certifcation exam. I know there are classes online. However, the OVR would not fund for classes online.

There is another college that offers some coding classes at a satellite campus that is close to me. It starts in June. Their cost is only $203 a credit. So, that's a no-brainer I just need to get more info on that program. I have not talked to anyone personally, yet. I am awaiting a call-back.

Now, my question is what salary can I expect to make as a coder? I was thinking that eventually that I would like to find a job that would let me do some work from home.