Member Insight: Eeny, meeny, miny, no! Professional development is a choice

by Kathy McFadden, BSN, RN, CCDS

A hospital system or a CDI program may have requirements related to education, licensing, or certifications. But outside of any such mandates, personal professional development is a choice. Many times, this choice is dictated by an individual’s circumstances, time or money constraints, or other personal factors. Sometimes, the choice is founded on passion, interest, or the pursuit of excellence within a role. Even fulfilling job conditions centers around one’s choice to remain in or be released from employment.

There are a vast range of hospitals and healthcare systems in the world, and their CDI programs are just as diverse in size, culture, vision, and stage of expansion. Programs may be brand new, intermediate, or advanced. The staff may include members with clinical credentials, coding credentials, or both. Each program has different funding constraints and operates under different administrative expectations.