I haven't posted on here lately, but I have been enjoying all the helpful information.

5 Comments

1. Debra Myers-AdamsOctober 20,2025 at 5:34PM UTC

   I would highly suggest getting in to one of the relevant Healthcare Associations. HFMA, AHIMA, HIMMS. They all have certification courses that come along with their membership. And the certificates are widely accepted and honored by hospitals and health systems.

   Many hospitals, especially the larger ones, have a group membership to one or more of these groups. And most pay for their employees membership...and cert programs if there is an extra charge. Another option, go to your hiring manager and 1) ask her to Mentor you, 2) ask for her support to go to HR and obtain reimbursement for education/Certifications and membership fees.

   Seriously. Hospital leadership is BEGGING for people like you who want to be there and want to improve themselves and their departments. Chances are they'll invest in you in a heartbeat!

   If you desire to eventually take your education further, you could look into an online Healthcare Administration degree.

   Depending on where you are in your career or where you want to go...People in your position have worked their way into the CEO's seat.

   Good luck!

2. AnonymousOctober 23,2025 at 2:32PM UTC

   I'm a big fan of learning, as I am now working on my fifth degree. I would work with your management team to get their input on anticipated needs, and who knows, perhaps they would be willing to help finance it. I know that medical billing is a nightmare at times, and places are always looking for exceptional talent there. If the course you sign up for provides a professional certification, it would most likely be worth it in your marketability if you need to move again, and could put you in line for advancement where you are.

   I always tell my husband - the day I quit learning is the day he scatters my ashes. Good for you, and go for it.

3. SPQOctober 25,2025 at 7:29PM UTC

   Agree with the below post about getting connected to industry associations. Yes, there may be a membership fee but being connected to other professionals in the industry is so valuable, nevermind finding work, but having mentors and like-minded individuals to talk about how to go about deeply complicated problems. They will also have webinars and events where you can go to to continue your learning.

   I wouldn't just go carte blanche with Coursera courses. Ask yourself, what the outcome you're trying to achieve? You want to expand your knowledge to build skills. But, to what ends? What deeper purpose does this help you fulfill? The first 2 paragraphs of your post seem to be reflecting on something that's on your mind, but unspoken. Your final statement has little to do with the backstory. I would encourage you evaluate more holistically how you're feeling about your position, career, and life.

   To answer your question more at face value, maybe you are pursuing knowledge because it makes you better at your job. You feel more confident in your own capabilities and helping others (your clients, your team mates, or your company). So your reason is more to satisfy a competency you feel you could improve on. If that's the case, by all means, go course crazy. It's worth it to feel completely confident and competent in your role, and taking courses to develop the lingo, mindset, and give perspective is a cheap and easy way to do so.

   If you're trying to satisfy something else... Courses are just the start. Perhaps you're trying to become more of an authoritative figure, a thought leader, some who wants to champion transformation or change, or simply to gain buy-in for an idea or approach, you'll want to fully suss out that end goal and plan your personal journey.

   Be true to yourself and spend some time evaluating your short and long term goals. Cheers!

4. AnonymousNovember 18,2025 at 5:16PM UTC

   It depends. If you actually get depth of experience from the courses in a certain task or technology well then by all means yes. If not try to instead find a mentor who may guide and help you and see if your employer will fund higher education courses instead. Getting a degree will only help you! Consider it an investment in YOUR future and not just getting more skills to move up.

5. AnonymousSeptember 22,2026 at 10:05AM UTC
   Leaving a toxic billing department for a clinical secretary role you actually loved, even at 72 hours biweekly with no weekends, sounds like a trade worth making. On the Coursera question, no, you are not doing too much. Short certificate courses in medical billing are cheap and self-paced, and since you already hold the patient access specialization, adding a few focused modules keeps your skills current without chasing another degree. I have seen how much smoother outpatient workflows run when someone at the front desk understands what happens after the images leave, and with radiology groups like AstraRad reading for hospitals nationwide, that front-to-back picture matters. Take the courses if they fit your schedule; just do not let them eat your recovery time.