Foundations of health professions associates, is it too good to be true?

[KZ2016]

Hello everyone

There is a foundations of health professions associates degree at the school I will be going to that allows you to take the basic classes such as biology, a&p, English, algebra, nutrition, medical terminology etc. While also being able to sit for CNA exam AND as well as get your certificate in medical coding/billing, medical assisting, or direct care worker. All in one degree. It says there classes are co-requisites for ADN or LPN programs. I feel like it might be too good too be true and I haven't seen alot of forums or websites saying anything about it. Is this common or is this something that only a few schools do? And do you think this would give me a better advantage at getting a job then I would with just a certification?

thanks in advance for your input! 😁

[cleback]

I haven't heard of it before but I know a lot of nursing schools can have varying prerequisites. When I was applying, I tried to take courses to fulfill requirements of as many nursing schools in the area but there were still ones I did not qualify to apply for. I'd say go for it if you so not know a particular school or program but don't be surprised if you need to take an additional course or two afterwards to continue on.

[KZ2016]

Yea I figured í ½í¸•, and I will thanks!

[Sour Lemon]

It sounds like a colossal waste of time and money, to me. Why bother with a medical coding certificate if you want to be a nurse? And why take algebra and A&P if you plan to work as a CNA? I could go on and on.

[dream'n, BSN, RN]

I've had a couple friends that are not nurses, go and get Bachelor and Master degrees in something called "Health Care Administration." It has put them both on the long road to nowhere.

[lindseylpn]

Someone I know on Facebook is taking online classes for a degree like this in the hopes of one day becoming an occupational therapist. Most of the classes she posts about taking don't seem like they'd transfer. If someone wants to either be a CNA, MA etc they can take those courses in a few months instead.

My local community college has a pre-allied health program which is basically all the prerequisites for nursing, PTA, OTA etc. Maybe look for something like that.

[Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN]

It sounds like a colossal waste of time and money, to me. Why bother with a medical coding certificate if you want to be a nurse? And why take algebra and A&P if you plan to work as a CNA? I could go on and on.

I agree completely! I see no reason to get an associate's degree in anything other than nursing. I don't know what the market in your area is like, if you truly need a BSN to get a job...but getting an associate's in a non-nursing field doesn't help you get a nursing job either. It does however, take time that could be put to use on your nursing studies.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Moved to the Pre-Nursing Student forum.

[KZ2016]

It sounds like a colossal waste of time and money, to me. Why bother with a medical coding certificate if you want to be a nurse? And why take algebra and A&P if you plan to work as a CNA? I could go on and on.

Well the reason I want to get the medical coding certificate is because I don't plan on being a nurse for a few years till my son is older, he's only one now. so in the meantime I'd like a job a little more stable since I know nursing are long hour days etc. Plus I'd having the coding certificate as back up if for some reason nursing doesn't work out for me. As for the cna, I don't want to be a cna it is just something that is included in the program since your learning most of the material for CNAs your able to sit for the exam to get that certification. It's an added bonus.

[Extra Pickles]

Well the reason I want to get the medical coding certificate is because I don't plan on being a nurse for a few years till my son is older, he's only one now. so in the meantime I'd like a job a little more stable since I know nursing are long hour days etc. Plus I'd having the coding certificate as back up if for some reason nursing doesn't work out for me. As for the cna, I don't want to be a cna it is just something that is included in the program since your learning most of the material for CNAs your able to sit for the exam to get that certification. It's an added bonus.

but the plan you've laid out is still a huge waste of time and money. If you want to be a medical coder you don't need this degree you need a certificate, which is going to cost you a lot less money and time. You should also check the job market in your area for that as there seems to be a pretty high rate of unemployment among people who have those certificates after being promised stay-at-home jobs and there just aren't any. Maybe it's different where you are and you know for sure you can get a job with that certificate but if not you might want to rethink it.

Second reason this is a waste of money and time is you aren't 100% sure these courses will transfer to a nursing school program. Anything you take that isn't required for a medical coder certificate or accepted for transfer to get you into a nursing program is a waste.

3rd reason this program is a waste of money and time is that you can get a nursing assistant certificate in as little as 6 weeks, there are courses all over the place ranging from 6 weeks to a few months. And they don't need any of the classes you'd be paying for with this made up degree program. I mean really, Foundations of Health Professions? What does that qualify you to do? Medical coding, which you can get certified in for a lot less money and time. CNA, which you can get certified to do in a lot less time for a lot less money.

Colossal waste is a great way to put it. Programs like this feed off of people who are exactly in your shoes, KZ, they want to stay home with their young children, get into the medical field somehow, and this looks like a Dream Come True. It isn't. Save your money!