anyone having experience with coding?

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Specializes in medical.

I read some of the posts from nurses doing coding. I thought that would be a great side job besides my regular bedside nursing job. There are classes at a nearby community college offering coding classes I could sign up for. Are there any of you nurses who are doing coding or know other nurses and can you share your experience? How do you find coding jobs and do they pay much less than nursing?

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I'm a coder, but not a nurse. I graduated from the Medical Assistant program at our local community college. Check out AHIMA.org.

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I am a coder about to start nursing school. I completed a one year certificate program at local CC and I took a certification test through AHIMA. Part of that program was A&P 1&2 and Medical Terminology which obviously you wouldn't need to take. School basically teaches you how to use the coding books..you really learn on the job.

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Tbarn, have you been coding for very long? I have many years experience, but have been taking prereqs. for nursing school. I was offered a coding position that pays better than I would start at as a new nursing grad so I accepted it. Can I ask why you are changing careers?

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Specializes in medical.
Tbarn, have you been coding for very long? I have many years experience, but have been taking prereqs. for nursing school. I was offered a coding position that pays better than I would start at as a new nursing grad so I accepted it. Can I ask why you are changing careers?

Thank you for your prompt response, but can you answer why are you planning to go to nursing school? Is coding not a good enough career, especially when you were offered as much money for the coding as a new nurse ?

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Just wanted to let you know my take on this coding business. I am an LPN with 15 years with varied nursing experiences and feeling like it's time to do something else until I finish my RN. I ordered an instructional textbook with cd and workbook. They have ICD-9 and CPT coding instruction. Once I finish these, I'm sitting for the AHIMA CPC-P exam. I've taken a practice exam and did very well on it, so I think self-study is OK for me. If you haven't had any exposure to coding, I think maybe a formal class would be a good idea. I went onto careerbuilder and checked out the pay, which seems to vary in different settings and states. One common thread I saw, though, was that places are looking for certification. The pay certainly wasn't less than what I make now.

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In my area new coders make about half what new nurses make even with AAPC/AHIMA certification.

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Well, what happened to me was I worked as a coder, but took several years off to stay home with my kids. I had always been interested in nursing so I started taking my prereqs. I have all of the prereqs for the LPN program and was ready to start clinicals next month, but the RN program requires a few more classes + longer clinicals.

I saw a parttime coding job and applied for it thinking I would let them pay for my tuition. They offered me flexible hours and the opportunity to work from home, along with benefits so I couldn't say no.

I am taking the summer off from classes so I can concentrate on learning the new job.

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I have been coding for 2 years and I like what I do. I have a good job at a good sized teaching hospital. I am responsible for the coding for an entire department, ent. I code their surgeries and I also educate the physicians on Medicare guidelines and the documentation requirements of what they are billing. I assist the billing department by reviewing cases which have been denied and there is alot more too. The reason I got into coding was that I was interested in the medical field but I didn't want to be in a clinical role. Over time working in the hospital I realized I wanted to be in it...I wanted to be a part of it. I am thankful for my coding background and I will never give up my certification. Being an RN with coding experience opens a lot of doors..there are alot of good opportunities and good paying positions for maybe later on. I have taken all my pre-reqs and most of my co-reqs thanks to my coding certificate and associates in liberal arts. I am 28 and have alot of working years ahead of me..just didn't think the coding would keep my interest until retirement and I really wanted to give nursing a chance. I make pretty good money..most likely better than average but will def be making more as a nurse even a new nurse.

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I'm not an expert, but for anyone wanting to get into coding, the 2 main things employers look for are experience and certification through AHIMA. For hospital work, they are looking for a CCS.

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Tbarn, it sounds like you have a good career ahead of you. Good luck. I think I would prefer to work in a specialty office. There is so much to know when you are coding for all departments. The thing I like about this job is I work from home and can set my own hours. I'm not sure I want to work 12 hour shifts, especially not on midnights like I keep hearing new nurses have to work.

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I am a medical records coordinator, which means i get to do coding/billing.. i'm 21 and never taken a class about coding in my life..i'm in nursing school lol i got promoted from activities because i'm so "organized" it's really easy once you get the hang of it.. i have been doing it for 3 months, and i know most codes without looking them up, and havent had a complaint yet. It's much easier if you know about the human body! It's definately worth it to learn, it comes in handy =) good luck

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