Benefits of further credentialing for "more mature" age group for further professional advancement

afulmerafulmer
in CDI Talk Archive
Already having a BSN (>30yrs),CCDIS,and CCA, how beneficial do you all feel further credentailing would be for career advancement for persons age 50 and above. I would like some honest and sincere feedback. We all know this tends to be a world for the young.

Comments

  • sharon.cooper@owensborohealth.orgsharon.cooper@owensborohealth.org
    edited May 2016
    RN x 32 years. Since 2009 I have got Certification in Nursing Case Management, CCDS, CCA, CCS, CDIP, certified ICD-10-CM/PCS Trainer, and maintained Certification in Psychiatric & Mental Health Nursing. I will be 53 this year - so, I tsay go for it! I think it makes you more marketable (just in case). I figure I have at least a good 15 more years in the workforce and with this economy - anything can happen!

    Sharon C.

    Sharon Cooper

  • paxnerospaxneros
    edited May 2016

    It depends on how many more years you have/need/want to stay in the
    workforce before retiring and in this profession.

    The other factor is how much can you afford? I have increased my yearly
    expenses for credentialing from $175 to $354. (this year $450 because I turn
    in my CCDS CEUs). That's just memberships/recertification. That doesn't
    include the numerous seminars/conferences I have paid out-of-pocket for CEUs
    - that's around $1070 (not including travel expenses & lodging)- just since
    January 1st 2012.

    Credentialing is very expensive... But if you stay in the game I would
    think it will be beneficial over not having them.

    NBrunson, RHIA,CDIP,CCDS

  • evanspx@sutterhealth.orgevanspx@sutterhealth.org
    edited May 2016
    NBruson: I agree 100% with your comments regarding the cost of credentials...ideally, our employers will acknowledge the value we bring with demonstrated competencies. However, my reality is that I too pay for my credentials, and it is expensive. I think I may earned the ICD-10 Certification, and that will probably be my last credential unless my employer offers me some help in that regard.



    Paul Evans, RHIA, CCDS, CCS, CCS-P

  • evanspx@sutterhealth.orgevanspx@sutterhealth.org
    edited May 2016
    My opinion is that the credentials of RN and CCDS makes one very valuable in our field. I would not personally advocate for further credentials, unless the market changes or your employers offers you some financial incentives? Just my opinion....the CDI field is still pretty young and not too many have earned the CCDS, yet.

    I know some of the RN members have advocated also obtaining the CCS, and that is fine...but, this is really a very technical credential with heavy duty coding focus.

    Paul Evans, RHIA, CCDS, CCS, CCS-P

  • evanspx@sutterhealth.orgevanspx@sutterhealth.org
    edited May 2016
    As a 'coder' and a CCDS-credentialed professional, I am of the opinion that anyone having the CCDS credential has demonstrated competency in the field of CDI activity. I imagine the CDI credential now offered by AHIMA would also make me confident in a person's knowledge.


    Further credentials, while useful, would not be required in my view - however, may enhance your knowledge and market value.

    However, I respect the point of view by others that CCS, and so forth 'might be useful'.

    We have on our team folks that are credentiaed as both RN/CCDS, but not coder-credentialed. They are fantastic and very adept at performing concurrent reviews.

    For the CDS world, I regard the CCDS as required and the CCS and CCS-P 'helpful" - in the coding world, reverse.

    Paul Evans, RHIA, CCDS, CCS, CCS-P

  • catladyrncatladyrn
    Interesting question as I had this discussion with myself yesterday. I was debating whether to apply for a doctoral program in health sciences. I am 54 1/2 (today!) and this program would require at least three to four years of nonstop, grueling education on top of a very demanding job, and it would put me out of pocket at least $30,000. And nursing would still undervalue me because it's not a nursing degree. So do I do all this just for the personal satisfaction of having a doctorate? It's hard to get hired at this age to begin with, and I don't think the degree would open the doors in the way it would for a 35-year-old.

    I am, however, one of the number in here who is hoping to earn the CCS credential. It would be for both personal satisfaction and career development, I think.

    It all really depends on the individual, and what each person's personal and career goals are.

    Renee

    Linda Renee Brown, RN, CCRN, CCDS
    Senior Consultant, CDI/Nursing
    Jacobus Consulting, Inc.
  • robert.hodges2robert.hodges2
    edited May 2016
    My personal opinion is if it is of value to your career then additional credentialing is of value, but it is a personal decision. At this time I am not considering further certification beyond CCDS even though others have suggested I go for other coding specific certifications. Part of my logic is that I am a RN first and not a coder. The coders are responsible for the final DRG assignment and I rely on their expertise when I have questions. I do obtain continuing education on coding issues so I can stay current, but I was hired to bring a clinical perspective to the medical record.

    Just my two cents and yes I am over 50.

    Robert

    Robert S. Hodges, BSN, MSN, RN, CCDS
    Clinical Documentation Improvement Specialist
    Aleda E. Lutz VAMC
    Mail Code 136
    1500 Weiss Street
    Saginaw MI 48602
     
    P: 989-497-2500 x13101
    F: 989-321-4912
    E: Robert.Hodges2@va.gov
     
    "We are dealing with Veterans, not procedures; With their problems, not ours." --General Omar Bradley

  • mdomineseymdominesey
    edited May 2016
    I too value certifications and credentialing for more than financial and monetary reasons. I have been pursuing a doctorate in Health Science from Nova Southeastern University for the past two and a half years and I just transferred to the PhD version of the program. The core classes are shared with the DHSc, but the remainder of my classes are now philosophy, research, statistics, and of course, the dissertation. 40 credits down, 32 more to go! Please let me know Renee if you want any insight in to the Doctorate of Health Science curriculum (there are only 4 universities offering the DHSc).

    As to age of CCDS, I very much disagree with the notion that this is a job for the young! At 38, There are very few people doing the job younger than I am, most people are in their 50s, so it seems the job, at least, is for people at the apex of their career! My own story, credentialing has helped me get to where I am at. I am in debt to my eyeballs to the Stafford Loan program, but I do carry a few consolations... I can never be forced to make payments more than 10-15% of salary, and if I stay non-profit or governmental for a full 10 years past graduation, any remainder of my government backed debt will be forgiven (it is 20 years payback to forgiveness if you work for-profit). Also, while your student debt cannot be discharged in bankruptcy, it cannot be counted against your estate at death.

    So... Keep getting the education! It will pay you back either by professional or personal attainment! One caveat, the MBA is great for those with non-business undergrad degrees; MBAs with undergrads in business, accounting, economics and finance are having a hard time getting jobs in this job market.

    Mark

    Mark N. Dominesey, RN, BSN, MBA, CCDS, CDIP
    Clinical Documentation Excellence
    Sr. Clinical Documentation Improvement Specialist
    Sibley Memorial Hospital

    Information Technology
    5255 Loughboro Rd NW
    Washington DC, 20016-2695

    W: 202.660.6782
    F: 202.537.4477
    mdominesey@sibley.org


    http://www.sibley.org

  • tiffany_susantiffany_susan
    edited May 2016

    Very good points!

    Thank You,
    Susan Tiffany RN, CCDS
    Supervisor Clinical Documentation Program
    Guthrie Healthcare System

    " You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough!" Mae West


  • jamiedugan2012jamiedugan2012
    edited May 2016
    I am so glad someone said age wasn't a factor. I am an old nurse but a
    new CDI person! Love the job love love love it! Very challenging and so
    much to learn! Is dynamic just like pt care, always changing. Education
    is obtained not only for monetary gain but personal fulfillment. But I
    guess we all are different and differently motivated that's what makes
    us all unique. I plan to return to school and obtain my bachelors at
    least and also get my CCS and CDIS.
    Jamie Dugan RN
    Baptist Health System
    Jacksonville Florida

  • sharon.colesharon.cole
    edited May 2016
    Don't know about your facility, but upper level management here is required to have a Master's Degree be it health care admin, nursing, etc, so that might be something to shoot for. I just started on my BSN and am already thinking I'd best get a Master's after that. I've been with the same hospital for 22 years.

    Sharon Cole, RN, CCDS
    Providence Health Center
    Case Management Dept
    254.751.4256
    srcole@phn-waco.org


  • katysuegood@gmail.comkatysuegood@gmail.com
    edited May 2016
    I am not "more mature" (in many ways!), but I just wanted to say that I do not agree that this is a field for the young. I am 30 and have had the pleasure of attending many conferences, trainings, forums, etc in the CDI/Coding/ICD-10 world since I took on this role 18months ago. I am almost always 15+ years younger than every other person there. I often feel a little out of my league and worry that many of the other CDI/Coding professionals may not take me seriously. I was at an Advisory Board Summit in D.C. last week and I think I was the only person under 50 there.
    I think that this is a field for "older", more experienced nurses. I think there is great benefit in "fresh blood" too but the expertise of more experienced nurses is crucial.
    I am of the mind that there is always room for further education so I say, go for it!

    Katy Good, RN, BSN, CCDS, CCS
    Clinical Documentation Program Coordinator
    AHIMA Approved ICD-10CM/PCS Trainer
    Flagstaff Medical Center
    Kathryn.Good@nahealth.com
    Office: 928.214.3864
    Cell: 928.814.9404

  • linda.steinhofflinda.steinhoff
    edited May 2016
    Speaking of "credentialing" I sat for my CCDS Exam Saturday and PASSED!
    FYI - I am also of the "more mature age group" >55 years!!!!!

    Linda Steinhoff, RN, CCDS
    Clinical Documentation Improvement Specialist
    Chesapeake Regional Medical Center
    Chesapeake, Virginia 23320

    Linda.Steinhoff@chesapeakeregional.com


  • katysuegood@gmail.comkatysuegood@gmail.com
    edited May 2016
    Congrats!

    Katy Good, RN, BSN, CCDS, CCS
    Clinical Documentation Program Coordinator
    AHIMA Approved ICD-10CM/PCS Trainer
    Flagstaff Medical Center
    Kathryn.Good@nahealth.com
    Office: 928.214.3864
    Cell: 928.814.9404


  • mdomineseymdominesey
    edited May 2016
    Yay Linda!! Congratulations!!!

    Mark



  • robert.hodges2robert.hodges2
    edited May 2016
    Congratulations :)

    Robert

    Robert S. Hodges, BSN, MSN, RN, CCDS
    Clinical Documentation Improvement Specialist
    Aleda E. Lutz VAMC
    Mail Code 136
    1500 Weiss Street
    Saginaw MI 48602
     
    P: 989-497-2500 x13101
    F: 989-321-4912
    E: Robert.Hodges2@va.gov
     
    "We are dealing with Veterans, not procedures; With their problems, not ours." --General Omar Bradley

  • jamiedugan2012jamiedugan2012
    edited May 2016
    Congrats Linda and the older group and younger group both have their
    places for sure. We can learn from each other!
    Jamie Dugan RN
    Baptist Health System
    Jacksonville Florida

  • ddraizeddraize
    edited May 2016
    Yippee good for you

    Diane Draize RN, CPUR,CCDS
    Clinical Documentation Specialist

    Ministry Door County Medical Center
    diane.draize@ministryhealth.org
    920-743-5566 ex 3143

    We earn trust by working together as One Ministry to keep PATIENTS FIRST in everything we do

  • lsipos@monument.healthlsipos@monument.health
    edited May 2016
    Linda
    YAY! Congrats for passing. I want to take the test this summer. Are there any hints you can give me...what did you do to prepare. Suggestions?

    Juli Bovard RN CDS
    Rapid City Regional Hospital
    Rapid City, SD 57703

  • paxnerospaxneros
    edited May 2016

    Congrats!

    NBrunson, RHIA,CDIP,CCDS

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