Learning for Life:
Ellen Fuhrken’s Time at ANU
After saving a dog falling from an exam table and gaining a back injury in the process, Ellen Fuhrken needed a career change. With so many years as a veterinary assistant, she decided her best leap was into the human medical field. Along with that, Ellen moved into her mother鈥檚 home just about an hour away from 麻豆社鈥檚 Salem campus. With ANU鈥檚 affordability, Ellen made the plunge into our Medical Billing and Coding program. And her hard work and dedication to her new career field has earned her the title of Medical Billing and Coding Student of the Term for term 232!
When Ellen began searching for her new career path out of veterinary science, she found interest in Medical Billing and Coding programs. Once she saw an advertisement for ANU online, she found that we were her cost-effective option. 鈥淎NU was the first one that popped up,鈥� she said of her research, 鈥渁nd they were the most affordable! And I was like, 鈥楢lright! Let鈥檚 give them a try!鈥� So, it worked out really well.鈥� Her previous years working in veterinary science also helped her transition into this program because of the familiarity with terminology, drugs, and tests she performed. Not only is Ellen satisfied with the price of her program, but she enjoys the flexibility as well. When her classes for her term were put together, she could take her classes according to her schedule. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not like you have to take this class on this day, it鈥檚 like 鈥榟ey, these are the options and I have others.鈥欌�� If she can鈥檛 attend a class on a certain day, her student services advisor can give her other days and times to fit with her schedule.
Even though she鈥檚 only in her second term, Ellen believes that her classes are preparing her to enter the Medical Billing and Coding workforce. She describes that her first term gave her the bearings of the program, where in the second term she鈥檚 in the thick of coding classes. Her textbooks, which were sent to her physically and some electronically as included in her tuition, have been invaluable to her education. 鈥淲hile I鈥檓 learning the lessons, I鈥檝e got the book right in front of me, and I can search for codes. The books are really 丑别濒辫蹿耻濒.鈥� Ellen describes that the books online are also helpful in how they鈥檙e laid out and how they match with her classes.
Because of her experience in her classes, she warns, 鈥渋f you鈥檙e going to go for coding, you absolutely need to get an education on it. Don鈥檛 just try to do it yourself.鈥�
Ellen boasts her instructors for their dedication to their students. One she mentions, Amy Smith, who taught her Anatomy and Physiology class, went above and beyond for her students. 鈥淪he is fantastic鈥� she cares about her students. She cares that we pass, she cares that we succeed,鈥� she says. 鈥淪he鈥檚 personable, she鈥檚 a regular person. She鈥檚 not an instructor that鈥檚 just lecturing at you. She talks to you and she鈥檚 real.鈥�
Ellen says she was initially intimidated to take a class like anatomy and physiology because she thought it would be a difficult class. However, she says her experience at ANU was fun and enjoyable as she learned the material.
In her future after graduation, Ellen envisions going back to school because she enjoys learning, 鈥淚鈥檝e always considered myself a life-long learner.鈥�
Ellen definitely recommends ANU to those looking to earn their higher education.
鈥淭hey鈥檙e affordable, and easy, and flexible. I鈥檝e had a lot of support. The first term, I got a phone call every week going 鈥榟ey, how are you doing? Do you need anything?鈥� I got emails鈥� The support is fantastic.鈥�
Her advice to new students at ANU: 鈥淢ake sure you have your priorities in order. Make sure you know how to manage your time. Time management is huge鈥� Make sure you know what you want, and you have priorities.鈥�
