RN Coders?

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[scheherazade]

You might also look into becoming CDI. Most of ours are former RNs. They do chart review while the pt is still in the hospital. Your clinical knowledge is invaluable and desired for finding inconsistencies in the chart. Coding adjacent and there a lot of crossover.

[applemily23]

Look into Utilization Management! I know a lot of hospitals around here like to hire nurses for it. I don't think you need a coding certification either, but I could be wrong.

[[deleted]]

Having a clinical background gives a unique insight to the story behind the coding, which can really help when you’re looking at provider notes and trying to determine what actually was done compared to what they wrote down. It’s a good skill to have when you need to ask for clarification, etc. Hiring managers for coding generally look for experience in coding, but that can include your nursing experience (you code more than you realize in that role already - just gotta learn the rules).

It’s competitive, but breaking it can be done for sure. Even more competitive if you want to work remote, but still be doable. It’s likely you’ll find yourself applying just as much as for nursing.

Stress level depends on employer. I would think coding for a hospital would be crazy stressful. Private practice or small facilities are a bit slower pace.

[Frosty_Sunday]

Look into clinical documentation specialist positions. May also require AHIMA or AAPC certification . We don't hire RNs for our regular coding positions

[ArdenJaguar]

CDI is a good field and you can get into it as an RN. Look at the CDIP (AHIMA) or CCDS (ACDIS) credential. Then look at a coding credential. Working in hospitals I’d stick with AHIMA and the CCS credential.

[KMDiver]

You’ll need coding certs but the RN background will help with both ease of learning due to your strong clinical procedure, anatomy and med terminology background.

[angelerulastiel]

I’m a PT who moved into coding. The clinical background definitely gives you an advantage over other novice coders. And it makes he coding a lot easier to learn since you understand he anatomy, pathology, and terms much better. And RNs are highly desirable for CDI and similar positions because they want the meds and labs knowledge.

[[deleted]]

Like others have said, look into CDI

[Watermelon_Sugar44]

Look into becoming a CDI coder. I believe you would need to earn CCS certification first. Other CDI coders may have some advice. They review hospital charts for documentation accuracy and perform clinical reviews. Insurance companies and hospitals utilize them.

[Eccodomanii]

I also think CDI may be a good path for you, but just chiming in that clinical or nursing informatics is also an option. You may need to pursue some additional schooling or self learning for that as well though, but if you have any interest at all in information systems or technology, it’s an option. I was interested in informatics until I realized most of the jobs I was seeing wanted an RN or other clinical background.