RN Coding?

I became a certified coder because an employer paid for a "bootcamp" --1 week class on how to pass the AACP test. Coders make significantly less money than nurses unless you move up in the ranks, obtain several specialities. Speed in coding (time is money, after all) is important. The more complex coding in specializes such as interventional radiology require a good working knowledge of anatomy. Accuracy is important too for billing, of course. The certification needs to be renewed annually & is about $125. My feeling is that the coding organization is working hard to make certification by their tests the gold standard. The continuing ed credits are onerous & expensive. One needs to attend monthly meetings & be involved in local coding organizations & gather points that way toward recert. The monthly magazine offers free exercise/test to obtain credits toward staying certified & the test are more difficult than those I take on Medscape for physicians!

The work of coding appealed to me, but I could not afford to start as a basic coder in order to get up to speed (literally) in order to then advance. Medical Auditing may be a better choice.