Freedom1990

To say that it's been a major readjustment since graduating from college is an understatement.

My therapist and I had started discussing my goals and plans about two months before I actually graduated, and I did understand that it would be a readjustment.

I just had no idea how big! After almost three years of college classes and all that go with them, I was left with this big void post-graduation.

I'm currently stuck waiting on another back payment check from SSI in order to enroll for the 3-month intensive study resource for the national exam I still have to take in order to be a registered health information technician.

I don't qualify for funding on that as it's not a credited class, just a resource for us HITs.

So I did contact one of my primary instructors from my coding classes, and asked if I could work through all of the problems in my clinical coding workout book that we didn't cover in class, which is a substantial portion. She agreed, so that does give me some "work" to occupy myself for the time being.

I find I don't do well without some structure in my life, and I think that's been the biggest loss in finally completing my degrees.

I battle some restlessness, general anxiety, have not been able to make a meeting since my hospital stay (27 steep steps to the meeting on a 2nd floor), and I just feel rather lost.

I'm back down to 5 minutes at a time often.

On top of this, my antidepressants had quit working, so last visit with my psychiatrist we discussed adding Abilify to hopefully boost the antidepressants. Despite some annoying side effects initially, I did feel better, leveled off, and now that's stopped working. Ugh.

What I do have control over on that front is bumping up my next appointment with the psych as my next one isn't scheduled till late July.

I don't know what else I can do with the current situation, so if anyone has suggestions, I'm all ears!

barb dwyer

I didn't graduate
but just being 'off' for the summer
had me spinning wheels also!

I've forgotten what a vacation *IS*.

I'm staying busy online

taking acre of the department head's dogs
(and taking TONS of allergy related medications lol)

Spending time with my elderly friend
she missed me while I was in school...

I've also begun a new 'craft project'
that has me doing a LOT of online research
and shopping withOUT spending...
just sketching and planning.

I may not be busy
but it FEELS busy.

Ponder

I'm kind of in the same boat. I just completed my degree and now I'm bored out of my skull once I do my daily job search and fill out applications when the opportunity arises. (Which is few and far between living in timbuck-too small town USA. And being flat broke makes it even harder since if I had some savings I could do small projects on the house to keep me busy.. Only so many cleaning projects to do before that gets to be mind numbing as well. LOL

Freedom1990

I am currently working on crocheting a baby afghan for Amber's friend who also graduated from HCC, but to be honest, with the hot weather, I'm having a hard time getting motivated having an afghan, albeit a small one, across my lap as I work. I do need to get it done as she's due in less than 2 months. Yikes!

Freedom1990

I told my youngest I was bored out of my gourd the other day!

I've got an interior paint job to do to, but I need to get back on my feet 100% physically before I even consider starting that.

I just can't muster up the 'cleaning' projects yet. LOL!

GettingBy

I'm a highly motivated person myself. I like tasks/chores/goals... I like being busy. Idle time.. I don't do very well. I can't sit still. I don't relax. I find that when I get agitated/upset with life - I function best if I give myself a challenge - I don't know if it's me avoiding the problem or just moving on from it.

It's a character trait (flaw?) that I am trying to work with - maybe relax a little so that I can sit still and enjoy doing *nothing* once in a while. Learning to sit with emotions and let them pass rather than having to do something about each and every little thing that pops into my head.

Don't know if any of that even makes sense - but thanks for letting me share!
-Shannon

Chino

volunteermatch.org

Some places ^ have virtual opportunities.

I used to crochet baby blankets for our county hospital. I did Meals on Wheels for several years and also 'adopted' senior citizens. The Humane Society would probably love to have your help, too.

I'm really big on volunteering, can you tell?

Seren

(((DeVon))) I know exactly what you are feeling! It's like running full speed toward the edge of a cliff and then finding yourself in free-fall after the semester has ended.

Happens to me everytime!

Down time and some "shopping channel" are a dangerous combination for me!!!

Freedom1990

Oh my gosh you described it perfectly!

No shopping channel (no cable tv) and no money, so I guess I can consider that a blessing. I do like to shop from the comfort of home!

Tuffgirl

Freedom, you are in HIT - way cool! I am on the periphery of this field...higher education really, but working hard to launch curriculum. We have the national curriculum that leads to the certification through AHIMA - the HITECH program. Is that what you are gearing up for? Awesome field...lots of changes going on. My advice would be to enjoy your down time because it won't last...this part of the industry is moving fast. I can barely keep up with all the changes and needs in my state, yet our curriculum is slow to attract students. I have a feeling the tidal wave is growing momentum each day and its just a matter of time before we are flooded.

I've been trying to explain to my 17 yr old about her BF who just graduated this very phenomenon. It's normal. I don't do boredom well, either.

Freedom1990

Yes, and I went through an accredited curriculum too. Hutchinson Community College has been known for their fine RHIT program for many years now. Many students are from out of state as it's all offered online now!

Are you a member of AHIMA? We got a student membership for $30 a year, and I see now I qualify for a new graduate membership for $100 which is still cheaper than the $180 a year for full membership. Their Journal of AHIMA is an excellent publication!

I'm already attending half a day on campus next month for CEUs on an ICD-10-CM workshop.

Tuffgirl

My University program is a member. I am the manager of the national curriculum grant we hold right now, but our HIM program runs it. We also just launched the ICD-10 CE courses this summer, plus some CE coursework in tele-medicine. I am in higher education administration, so I "oversee" and "make connections" and "find the money to pay for it all". But I also sit on a statewide HIT workgroup to develop the workforce so I am familiar with the industry needs. Very exciting! And very good career choice. You can do a lot of this work from a home office, too.

Shellcrusher

When the text book closed, I'd open something fun to read. I used to see how many fun books I could read in a month.

pixipie

firstly, congratulations on graduating, study is no mean feat. I am a sole parent of 2 and I have also graduated this year after 3 years of full time study with my degree. I am currently doing post graduate honours, which has been a real 'oil and water' situation since getting involved with my RA, the thing about study I find is University demands one master, real life must be put on hold while you toil away at assessments you can't wait to finish but when you do you feel very anticlimactic!

I can only suggest taking daily walks to burn off some of the restless energy, doing some extra curricular reading, involving yourself in online forums if they exist in your chosen field to keep your knowledge current and concentrating on being well

I also blog as a form of self therapy

Pelican

Hi DeVon,

I'm still in my HIT studies, currently enjoying a 3 week break before the next cycle starts. I am a member of AHIMA, and our college hopes to complete the accredation process this summer.

I have picked up a book to read.
I am captivated. I am hesitant to admit that I have owned the book 2 years and am just now making it a priority to read. I am reading: A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle. I am currently absorbing the information on ego. That speaks to my recovery.

I would love to hear thoughts from you or others that have read this book.

So, if I may -here is a gentle suggestion.

Have you considered starting an online book reading, here at SR?

Hugs to you as you continue to recover (((DeVon)))

Freedom1990

How neat! You must be a very busy lady!

Yes, the home office possibility was another big factor in choosing this profession. My biggest obstacle is that the reputable companies hiring remote coders tend to want 3 years experience in the field. My coding/clinical/practicum instructor told me do not let that discourage me. Apply, apply, apply regardless!

I may end up doing transcription in the interim. Time will tell.

hello-kitty

Your local hospital needs volunteers. Contact them!

laurie6781

When I get this way and I do now and then, what I have found, just for me, is that it is triggering me to fdo another 4th and 5th step. See I do one every 4 to 5 years.

And low and behold, after I get done with my 4th and pick who to do my 5th with, usually the same person, unless in the previous 4 or 5 years they have passed to the big meeting in the sky, do my 5th step.

Something wonderfully happens, my physical pain subsides a bit, my committee goes on vacation and my anti d's are once again working.

So I will ask, when did y'all (Dev and Barb) last do a 4th an 5th step? remember ....................................... "more will be revealed", and in my case that sure has been the truth for me!

Just a thought as it works so well for me.

Hope it helps.

Love and hugs,

TakingCharge999

Do you have your updated resume?

TakingCharge999

Do you know how to do... this? lol

Qualifications
Codes and abstracts information from a variety of medical records and assigns appropriate codes based on
medical documentation using CPT-4 and/or ICD-9 coding guidelines.

Found 3 vacants on my company for US-based:
Medical Records Coder Specialist

It doesn't say experience required, there are other vacants for Coder Specialist seniors and they do require 2-3 years experience... so it may be a good fit I'll PM you..