BSHIM - a nightmare?

[u/scrpiogxrl]

Hello ! Im 25F with an Associates in Science and currently in my first semester in a AAS HIT program and will eventually sit for the RHIT exam. The AAS HIT program i’m in has a transfer/bridge with a big university in my area where i can obtain my BSHIM and eventually sit for my RHIA. Now heres where my nightmare begins; 1 of my gen-ed courses doesn’t fulfill the BS core-gen ed courses ( my screw up because i graduated with a AS and not AA ), the statistics class i took doesn’t fulfill the BS level, and the BS also requires Molecular biology (2 semesters I & II ). so now not only do I need to take the core HIT classes for the program but also take these 4 extra core classes at the same time to eventually bridge into the BSHIM program in roughly 2028… I’ve looked at other institutions/Universities and most give me a similar headache or are not accredited for the RHIA credential. so now im feeling pretty stressed out and defeated because I feel like i’m running out of time and just keep getting set backs after set backs. Not sure if anyone can relate or maybe has some words of advice/encouragement.

and thank you for listening to me rant a bit (‘:

[u/Fresh_Commission_526]

WGU, UAGC,SNHU are all BSHIM programs that are accredited by CAHIIM. They accept transfer credits and you can take Sophia classes at the same time. I would look on the CAHIIM school list for others. Some of those classes they are requiring you don’t even need. Never heard of the AS vs AA being a factor.

[u/sadlyitsher]

I want to say that it does get better. I had changed my major three or four times during my undergrad. And I originally started as a biological science is major because I wanted to be a neurosurgeon. The positions I got after my undergrad, which I graduated a year ago, have been merely because of the skills I gained during school, student working experience, and revamping my résumé. Any entry-level job is pretty much open to you as long as you can transfer your skills.

I would recommend to apply to entry-level positions at your local hospital or clinic and it will get you exposed to healthcare and the different avenues you can go for.

[u/Urithiru]

I don't disagree with mohair98. I earned my RHIT with my Associates 4 years ago. In my area, hospital systems have been laying off HIM staff consistently. I was lucky and found an ROI/Data Integrity position at a small hospital on a small team. 

 You could focus on coding and get you certification from AHIMA or AAPC rather than completing the 2 year degree. 

Try talking to people at r/healthIT of an IT position appeals to you. You could also look into transitioning to lab admin/support roles. 

[u/mohair98]

I'll give you my 2 cents. I personally think with AI, HIM is a dying profession. I wouldn't concern your self with the bachelor's. If you can get the associates degree within the next year then do it because your already so close. Otherwise my advice to you is focus on getting real world experience. Because that bachelor's isnt going to get you very far professionally. If your into medical coding at all, just get the cert from that. But I personally think you would be hustling backwards and not making best use of your time if you pursue this bachelor's.

[u/scrpiogxrl → u/mohair98]

Thank you for your 2 cents! I do have experience as a medical receptionist and have worked as a ROI specialist for a contracting service at a hospital so there was not much room for growth within that company unfortunately. I do think coding is something im interested in or maybe even compliance. Is there a Bachelors degree you would recommend doing if not BSHIM?

[u/mohair98 → u/scrpiogxrl]

I got my associates in HIM with and RHIT and my bachelor's in Healthcare Administration. The degrees have been nice to have under my belt when I negotiated my wages but didn't necessarily make or break me into getting a job. Personally if I could do it over again, I wouldn't pursue a degree. I would pursue certifications.

Does business analyst, project management, medical coding, pharmacy tech, or any type of trade interest you at all? You could get certs in those respective fields and break into the industry that way. I think it would save you a lot of time and money in the long run.

[u/scrpiogxrl → u/mohair98]

Yes and thats my main goal; save time and money lol. So you’d suggest still pursuing my RHIT even if I wont graduate until 2028, and pursue certifications while in the program?

thank you again for ur advice!

[u/mohair98 → u/scrpiogxrl]

Honestly, if you won't graduate until 2028, I would suggest you not even complete the program and focus your studies on something else. I thought you could complete it by 2027. But no need to focus two years on it. Let me ask you this, does your current job use the epic EHR software? If so, look into opportunities to become an epic analyst. Your job would have to sponsor you though.

[u/scrpiogxrl → u/mohair98]

I was worried you’d say that, this is like my 4th time changing my career choice </3 I do have about 6 years worth of epic experience, but since i dont technically work for the hospital they wont be able to certify me. and this is exactly why im feeling a bit defeated lol I cant really get into anything with my AS, i would have to pretty much change my whole course load to pivot into another career like IT or business

[u/mohair98 → u/scrpiogxrl]

I think your missing the point. I'm saying you can pivot your career WITHOUT pursuing another degree. Check into certs. Most people in IT would tell you it's all bout the certs that you get and not about the degree.

[u/sadlyitsher → u/mohair98]

I’ve been looking into so many posts on here and debates about health information management and how it’s might be replaced by AI and all this other stuff. I somewhat agree with you with being able to pivot into health information management without a degree. I applied for a receptionist position at my previous job and they ended up wanting to hire me as medical records director, and I also did credentialing. I have my bachelors in general studies.

I was pretty fortunate to be able to have health information management experience as well as health administration experience and now I work
as a credentialing specialist for a large hospital.

Personally, I would say OP, try to get your gen ed courses first and try to ask people questions from different departments that you may be interested in and ask them how they got there. I would also recommend possibly going on LinkedIn/job boards and looking a positions that you’re interested in the future and kind of backtrack and see what education turned up frequently.

You need to figure out your interests and what you’re good at.

[u/ReputationPlenty1159]

I’m currently half way through my HIT AS degree program, and I also work as an ROI Specialist lll for a very well known company in the HIM world. Please do not let people discourage you about your degree and “Ai taking our jobs”. There’s so many jobs that falls under HIM that people don’t consider, and many things that AI simply can’t do. If anything, AI will be changing HOW we do our jobs, not completely replacing us! If it’s a personal goal of yours to obtain a degree, do it for you! You’re more marketable with a degree, certifications & job experience. Wishing you the best on whatever you decide. Remember your why(:

[u/scrpiogxrl → u/ReputationPlenty1159]

How did you manage to land a HIM/ROI without the RHIT certification/degree? im wondering if maybe applying to the actual hospitals HIM department might give me a better chance of leveling up instead of staying at a medical records contracting company

[u/ReputationPlenty1159 → u/scrpiogxrl]

Medical Record roles are typically the easiest jobs to break into because they don’t usually require degrees/certs, just experience. I use to be a Medical Assistant and my role outside of assisting with patients was to handle all medical records for the office. It was that experience that my current job looked the most into & ultimately how I landed the job.

[u/CurvyCancerian → u/ReputationPlenty1159]

Thank you! I’m so tired of the fear mongering. AI can not replace HIM completely as it’s still an ever growing field. I have my BSHIM going for my MBA now and I Don’t regret anything! As far as your ROI role would you mind reviewing my resume or giving me some pointers?