movingon2014

Thank you for responding to my posting. I have been a CCM for a while, but the ALNC is something new that I have been also thinking about looking in to, in more detail. ALNC may appeal to the part of me that enjoyed investigating more deeply into medical records routinely sent to us for our patients.

I have done MANY jobs throughout my long career at a small casemanagement company that handled self-insured clients. This included reviewingmedical records when requested by employers, as well as routine review ofrecords on ALL our patients to ID current care needs. I enjoyed the"hunt" for information, as well as any additional research needed onnew diagnoses or treatments. Does anyone know of any law offices, ALNCagencies, or insurance carriers that require that form of work? I have alwaysfound the work-at-home setting to be my most-productive one, and allowed myhours to be flexible when needed. Thank you to anyone who is able to help mewith this new career path I am seeking.

GrnTea is correct about remote computer tracking. Just abouteverything is possible with today's electronic technology -------- includinglocating a stolen computer if the thief has not disabled the tracking programor device. As far as the "locked door" is concerned -- the point isthat family/others cannot access PHI/Personal Health Information, or overhear youwhen talking to patients or providers. And the "locked" part showsthat you are properly concerned about their equipment and PHI, and keep theequipment and information in a secured manner -- the same way you would guardanything of your own that you consider to be of value.

Wellpoint is a company that had a favorable image on severalInternet review websites. The one I generally use is GLASSDOOR.COM. The reviewsI found led me to seek Wellpoint as a company I waned to work for based onfavorable employee comments about the work environment. Overall it appeared tobe favorably comparable to similar large insurance companies in terms ofemployee ratings and comments, as well as benefits. I am hoping that Wellpointwill open a branch near me or offer work-at-home positions in Central Florida. I spent most of my case management career working out ofmy home and found it more productive [less distracting] than an office. Plusnot having to commute allowed me to do so many other things, including a daily exerciseregimen that helps me feel refreshed for the day.

I found several brands of hair spray work well for ink -- and various surfaces, including plastic/vinyl items.

Brings back memories of a friend whose father ran a deli. One of the first diet-cola drinks to come out ruined the pipes of the soda fountain!! He had to put in special piping to serve the stuff. My friend also said it was apparently great as a paint stripper!! I stopped drinking it when she told me those stories. And yes -- the stuff went out of business long ago.

The argument of whether or not to have a BSN has been going on for a long time -- definitely NOT new. Economics has always been a strong factor in the argument --- 4 years of college is NOT cheap and is a long time devoted to study! Some nurses do pursue a BSN later on, when finances and time allow it. One is not better than the other though ----- just different paths to the same destination. Both nurses may know for instance that jacking the IV bag up the pole increases flow rate ----- one learned from experience, the other from having to include physics in their 4-year college curriculum. BOTTOM LINE - both know the fact -- but learned it in different ways. How outsiders perceive nurses however is a different story. Society has dictated that "professionalism" requires at least a Bachelor's degree. So if nurses in general want to gain ground in society's professionalism-battle, they have to fight under the rules set by society. BUT -- while thinking about this, don't forget one good thing about our soceity. Overall, nurses are still at the top of the list of "most trusted/respected" in poll results, along with fire fighters and police. And much higher-priced, "educated" persons such as attorneys ------ are at the bottom of those lists!!

The only way to help others, is to keep yourself healthy. That is what I preached to the families of my cancer patients all the time. But nurses need to care for themselves too -- or you won't be able to help anyone else -- family, friends or strangers. You sound as if you are trying to reach out to others for help -------- so please listen to those who are responding. Going to a doctor is NOT a sign of weakness or shame -------- use that doctor as an independent, outside view of yourself. And make sure that it is a doctor who is really listening to you and that you feel comfortable with. ANY type of medical treatment requires a provider that is felt to be trustworthy. So if you feel you can trust that doctor, then work WITH him to make yourself healthy again.

When I first started in hospital nursing -- a while ago -- there were places where it was felt that BSN-grads slowed things down, because they took so long to learn techniques. Down the road though, it balances out. The BSN's catch up, and they can even contribute some of their learning to others. Just like other things in life, it should be about give-and-take type of teamwork.

Sadly there are way too many crooks and creeps out there. That is why I always steer my patients to websites that have sound, reliable information only such as NIH & CancerNet. If they want patient-friendly drug information, I point them towards DRUGS.COM. And many large insurance companies now have medical information on their own websites. Then hopefully this will keep a few more people from going for colonics, weird gadgets, and even more deadly things such as peach-pit therapy (cyanide).