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Specializes in NICU, Level IV.

Hello everyone!

I really need some guidance before I decide my next steps on furthering my education. Currently, I am working as an RN in the NICU. I love the NICU because I am always learning from each aspect; whether is be from a nurses point of view or from the patient's. I find it very rewarding but as well I believe that I can make even more of a difference outside of bedside nursing. Patient quality care and also overall improvement of quality measures is an important goal of every hospital but likewise there should be some realistic measures as well. I do have background in coding and informatics but not in the healthcare field. I was looking into quality improvement and found Nurse Coder and as well as Nursing informatics. My question is:

Which is more beneficial for the patient?

Which is more practical and obtainable-- since I have only bedside nursing?

Do I achieve my masters or just a bunch of certifications (CDI, CPT, CDIP, ICD9, ICD10, ect)?

If it is recommended to get my masters, should I got for nursing informatics or Health information management?

As well, anything else I need to know or if you need to correct me please do. I want to work in one of these specialties but also stay apart of the NICU team/children hospital I work at because I still love the specialty.

 

Thank you!

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Specializes in ED, Clinical Documentation.

Hey! I can only speak to Clinical Documentation Specialist type of position and a master's is not required or necessary. This type of job directly impacts the data for the hospital but in some hospitals they work closely with Quality, however they are under HIM/Revenue (because what is billed becomes the data)

In terms of certification - I would say certification in your current bedside specialty is valuable. CDIS would come after 2 years or more after working as a clinical documentation specialist. No need for CPT and ICD9 is out. 

 

Hope that helps a little.  

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Specializes in Acute Care.
On 5/20/2021 at 6:00 AM, GleeGum said:

Hey! I can only speak to Clinical Documentation Specialist type of position and a master's is not required or necessary. This type of job directly impacts the data for the hospital but in some hospitals they work closely with Quality, however they are under HIM/Revenue (because what is billed becomes the data)

In terms of certification - I would say certification in your current bedside specialty is valuable. CDIS would come after 2 years or more after working as a clinical documentation specialist. No need for CPT and ICD9 is out. 

 

Hope that helps a little.  

Jumping in here because I have some similar questions!!

What about ICD-10 certification? Also ACDIS has a CDI Apprenticeship program, its pretty pricey but do you think it's worth it to try to get onto a CDI team? Do you think 2 years of bedside (in acute care) experience is enough? I am seeing a lot of CDI job postings vary on experience requirements. 

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Specializes in ED, Clinical Documentation.

Hey! Honestly I'm not familiar with ICD-10 certification so I can't speak to that.   Most CDI jobs are hiring unexperienced for entry level I suspect, because it's such a growing field. I'm sure they would prefer to hire experienced but maybe it's not a requirement. 

2 years is not a lot to be honest. This is because so much of what we do is reviewing clinically while knowing the coding rules. ICU or ER experience would probably carry more weight.

$300 for the apprenticeship program is not a lot to invest in a career change. The bootcamp is pricey however and likely the be worth the investment if it gives you an edge to be hired.

Hope that helps ? 

 

 

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Specializes in Acute Care.

It definitely helps so much!! I wasn’t sure my clinical experience was enough. But what your saying makes a lot of sense. Thank you so much! 

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Specializes in ED, Clinical Documentation.

Everything you do and learn will be valuable for your next steps. May the direction of your career path be clear and good, and enjoy the journey. You are asking good questions, may you be successful in the ways that are important to you! ❤️ 

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Specializes in Acute Care.

Wow thank you so much for the kind words of encouragement!! So thoughtful of you ☺️

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Specializes in Quality Management.

Hi !   I would say apply to positions in the  quality management (QM) dept to get in the door.   I successfully transitioned from staff nurse primary care to performaonce improvement specialist in QM.   I love my Job and the impact it makes. 

My work exp has ED, primary care, psych, DM care management. Education with a BSN, MSN in process in nursing informatics.   Volunteer to do special projects that would improve your unit I  did and that project became the thing that got me this job.  My interviewer even asked how does a staff nurse have time to do all this and do her duties?  
 

how are things?  What did you end up doing?  I'd love to hear an update 

 

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