Add medical coding training?

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in Adult Med-Surg Tele/Rehabilitation/Wound Care.

Just wonder if ya'll can help me decide. I've been away from Med-surg for 2.5 years raising my baby. Not wanting to be away too long from bedside, but still wanting to stay home a little longer, Im considering taking medical coding courses through my community college or AHIMA.

Im thinking this will buy me more time at home, but will open part-time opportunities in Rehab, case management etc.

I also have the option to finish wound care training, but it's very expensive.

Basically, is medical coding a good skill for nurses to have? Then I was going to do a nursing refresher & apply for positions. Please advise! Thanks

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

Meh- coding is for coders. I personally would not waste my money- invest in the refresher and maybe the wound care course- they will have the best ROI.

Welcome back!

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Specializes in Pedi.

I don't think any sort of medical coding certification is needed for nurses. Case Managers don't do coding. Clinical Documentation Improvement Specialists are probably the closest nursing position to coders but even they don't specifically code. They seek out the documentation needed for certain diagnostic codes.

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I was advised by someone with insight not to bother wasting money on coding, as it is a commodity that is more and more outsourced. I was told it is next to impossible to find employment in my area.

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Specializes in Adult Med-Surg Tele/Rehabilitation/Wound Care.

Thanks to all for the insight, you are all helping me with your opinions, keep them coming!

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