FTCC MedOnline classes

[katrina2475]

Originally Posted by Leetzie

I went to the FTCC's website yesterday and could not find any info on the MT course. Did they discontinue it? Anyone have a direct link to the MT section of their website?

I have been doing a lot of research on MT schools and had narrowed my decision down to Career Step. I think FTCC sounds great but the only thing I am worried about is the time limits. I am a sahm with two little ones. I just don't know if I can dedicate 30 hours a week to meet the deadlines. And I don't want to get to the point where I would have to pay extra for an extension. If think I may just sign up for Career Step and pay the extra and take my time unless I can get some feedback from someone about the time frame. Is it possible to take care of a 2 & 5 year old, housework, errands, ect and get 30 hours of studying in each week without being up all hours of the night? I just don't want to be burning the candle at both ends if you know what I mean.

Thanks

I have a 2.5 year old and a 10 month old and am taking MT classes at Career Step. I won't lie. It's hard but it's doable. Some days I am able to get in 6 hours of school. Others I can only get in a couple of hours after they go to bed. Right now my husband is working 10 hours a day, 6 days a week so he isn't able to help me very much. It has taken me nearly 2 years to get to the point where I am but that has to do with life. I got pregnant unexpectedly and then was on bedrest almost the whole pregnancy. That was followed by a c-section, bankruptcy, foreclosure, moving, etc... I'm now in my groove but it is stressful. I just keep my eye on the prize.

[katrina2475]

Originally Posted by happy_L

Hello. I am new here as well. It seems like Leetzie and I are in the same boat. I am almost certain that I will not be able to devote 30 hours a week to learning totally new things. The only medical experience I have is being a patient. My main concern is having a rigid school schedule. Anyone out there with experience getting extentions through FTCC as early as during part 1 of study. I, too, feel that even though it is considerably more expensive, the need to go "at your own pace" is that valuable. I don't want to rush through and be lacking in skills. Any info on this would be appreciated.

I'm not familiar with how tough the FTCC schedule is but I can tell you I absolutely love Career Step. I literally keep the page up on my computer all day and just do it whenever I get a chance.

[happy_L]

katrina, do you have any medical experience or are (were) you a medical newbie when you began the Career Step program?

[happy_L]

oh and thank you so much for responding

[Bunny22]

Originally Posted by happy_L

Anyone out there with experience getting extentions through FTCC as early as during part 1 of study. I, too, feel that even though it is considerably more expensive, the need to go "at your own pace" is that valuable. I don't want to rush through and be lacking in skills. Any info on this would be appreciated.

A set amount of extra time is available through FTCC for each segment. If you cannot complete the course and the final within the time offered by FTCC including any extra time offered, you need to buy extensions through Career Step, just as you would need to buy extensions through Career Step if you enroll directly with them and need more than the initial period of time in order to complete the course. It is definitely a difficult course requiring a lot of work to master.

[katrina2475]

Originally Posted by happy_L

katrina, do you have any medical experience or are (were) you a medical newbie when you began the Career Step program?

Originally Posted by happy_L

oh and thank you so much for responding

Total newbie! I was a loan processor, shipping clerk and airline reservation agent in the past so this was all new to me. I've always like medical "stuff" though but never wanted to deal with the icky stuff. LOL This just seemed right up my alley.

You are so welcome. Feel free to let me know if you have any other questions.

[happy_L]

Ok. I think I am leaning towards Career Step for the simple fact that I can be deadline free (so to speak) for one year. I have been out of school for awhile, and any work experience I have is more like "thank you drive through" not double clicking and such. Hehe, I actually just got the internet one month ago after being without it for about seven years (dont ask hehe)
So anyway, thank you. I am excited for some income tax to roll in so I can get started.

[katrina2475]

Originally Posted by happy_L

Ok. I think I am leaning towards Career Step for the simple fact that I can be deadline free (so to speak) for one year. I have been out of school for awhile, and any work experience I have is more like "thank you drive through" not double clicking and such. Hehe, I actually just got the internet one month ago after being without it for about seven years (dont ask hehe)
So anyway, thank you. I am excited for some income tax to roll in so I can get started.

You really can't go wrong with Career Step. They have a very good reputation and I've never regretted it. Let me know if you have any other questions.

[logansmommy2004]

I signed up last year but was unable to continue for personal reasons. I'm ready to get started again but I'm still unsure which course to sign up for. I keep going back and forth.

My #1 choice would be to do the Medical Coding course because I think I would enjoy it more and from what I heard the pay is better. I know that most likely I'd have to work in an office for a few years before I could work from home which doesn't appeal to me but I'd be willing to do that if I could eventually work from home. But I've also heard even getting a job in an office can be difficult without experience.

Then I think about taking the MT course because I could start working from home right away and I could eventually take the coding course later. But I've read some MT's saying they have no work and this isn't a good field to get into anymore. (Maybe it's just a slow period?) Plus I've read that some ESL doctors and mumblers can be horrible and frustrating.

I'd appreciate any advice anyone can share to help me make the decision. Also, why did you pick one over the other?

[katrina2475]

Originally Posted by logansmommy2004

I signed up last year but was unable to continue for personal reasons. I'm ready to get started again but I'm still unsure which course to sign up for. I keep going back and forth.

My #1 choice would be to do the Medical Coding course because I think I would enjoy it more and from what I heard the pay is better. I know that most likely I'd have to work in an office for a few years before I could work from home which doesn't appeal to me but I'd be willing to do that if I could eventually work from home. But I've also heard even getting a job in an office can be difficult without experience.

Then I think about taking the MT course because I could start working from home right away and I could eventually take the coding course later. But I've read some MT's saying they have no work and this isn't a good field to get into anymore. (Maybe it's just a slow period?) Plus I've read that some ESL doctors and mumblers can be horrible and frustrating.

I'd appreciate any advice anyone can share to help me make the decision. Also, why did you pick one over the other?

I picked Medical Transcription so I could work from home as I've heard the same things you have. I have 2 kids at home and want to be able to make money while staying home with them. Working outside the home just isn't an option right now. That being said, after I graduate from my MT program, I do want to take the coding classes through FTCC just so I have a backup plan.