Job dilemma!!

[T-Bird78]

After 15 years as a nurse, I decided to get into the billing/coding side of healthcare.  As we all know, it’s impossible to get hired when you don’t have any experience, even though I took the coding course from a local university and passed the test and am a certified coder. The large healthcare system I currently work for has filters on their hiring reviews that only look for work history in that specific role and if you don’t have it your resume is rejected. I had an interview with a smaller practice and they want me. The only drawback is, unlike where I’m at now, their coders can’t work remotely and must go in to the main office, which is an hour drive in heavy traffic one way. My current commute is 15 minutes with just one turn so I’ve been very spoiled by that. My dilemma is, do I stay working as a nurse until I can get a remote coding position, or do I suck it up and make that drive for 2 years to get experience then try and find something else?  I’ve been looking since early June when I passed my test and my body is worn out from being on my feet (plantar fasciitis, bursitis in the shoulder, and my scoliosis has gotten horrifically worse to the point I had to go to the doctor for pain). We have up to 56 pts a day with two providers and only two clinical staff, so we’re doing the intake and rooming and procedures and disinfecting scopes and sterilizing instruments and filling in for our phone triage when she’s out. 

[NPnowmovedon]

HI!,

Awesome pivot I applaud that. I think either way you decided it totally up to you as far what you can handle and neither is a bad choice. No one can make this decision for you to drive 2hrs for the experiences or stay working as a nurse until you find a remote job. I think a better question to ask yourself is  where do you want to be in 1 years time and which choice will get you there faster. You can never get your time back I am not a fan of the waiting game but, I do know that it is necessary in some instances. 

Hope this helps

congrats again

Syceria 

[HiddenAngels]

Agree with NPnow, what is it that you really want?   It sounds like you're afraid to go after what you want because of the "what ifs", but remember you're a nurse, you can always find something else, so try to let it go.  And while you're at it let go of that sweet cushy 15-minute heavenly bliss you have in your mind, that you've become so accustomed to ?, it's holding you back.  I know that the 1-hour commute is a hard pass to some, but the juice is definitely worth the squeeze.  You won't have to hurt your legs or back anymore nor take on more physical responsibility than you need to.  I say go for it.

[T-Bird78]

I’m going to take it.  The hour drive will be terrible, but it’ll get me started in my new career field and get the desired experience so I can apply for remote jobs in a year or so.  I wasn’t scared of the what ifs, it was if the drive would be worth it. My body physically can’t take the long hours on my feet. I’ve had to go to the doc for foot problems, shoulder pain, and have an ultrasound for left rib pain tomorrow. I think I pulled a muscle catching a pt falling off the scale. The best part of my new job, though, is when it’s time to clock out, I clock out then and not whenever we finish with the last pt and get the end-of-shift stuff done. 

[HiddenAngels]

3 hours ago, T-Bird78 said:

I’m going to take it.  The hour drive will be terrible, but it’ll get me started in my new career field and get the desired experience so I can apply for remote jobs in a year or so.  I wasn’t scared of the what ifs, it was if the drive would be worth it. My body physically can’t take the long hours on my feet. I’ve had to go to the doc for foot problems, shoulder pain, and have an ultrasound for left rib pain tomorrow. I think I pulled a muscle catching a pt falling off the scale. The best part of my new job, though, is when it’s time to clock out, I clock out then and not whenever we finish with the last pt and get the end-of-shift stuff done. 

Yaaaaaaaaaaayyy!   ?

[kbrn2002, ADN, RN]

My daughter-in-law is a medical coder. She chose that career mostly because it does allow her to work remotely. My son is a travel PT and the ability to work remotely is necessary for her as her job can be done wherever her and my son decide to go for his next travel contract.  She also had to work in office for some period of time before being qualified to work remotely. I am not sure off hand how long she was required to work on site but I know it wasn't two years as my son hasn't stayed in one place that long ever, LOL!  

The one hour in traffic commute might sound daunting but it also isn't impossible and you will only need to do it long enough to gain the necessary experience to qualify for remote work. 

[T-Bird78]

I did my drug screen Tuesday, just waiting to make it official!