Florence News
Campus News & Events
Quite a collection
Crystal Thomas, Karen Agacinski, andShelly Scherer are all graduates of the Florence Campus’s medical coding and billing program, and among more than half a dozen such graduates working for a large, nationwide medical practice with operations based in northern Kentucky. The National News had the good fortune to meet with these three young ladies (and several of their fellow graduates who we will meet in a future issue) to talk about their experiences as National College students.
“Definitely a good experience”
Though each woman’s circumstances were unique, all had one common goal: to change their lives with a new career. “I was just trying to start a career late in life,” said Shelly. “When I found billing & coding, that seemed to be the better, up-and-coming field.” Crystal added, “I did not want to be in fast food anymore!”
Still, returning to school was a daunting experience. “I was very skeptical about going back,” Crystal admitted. “It was very scary.” But all three women agreed that the environment at National helped them to succeed. Their classmates were more serious; they found instructors who really cared. Director of Healthcare Education Evie O’Nan won special praise. “I loved Evie,” said Crystal enthusiastically. “She’s very good,” Shelly quickly agreed. “She knows what she’s doing.”
They also credit Career Center Director Frank Wells for helping them land their jobs. “He was very on-the-ball,” Shelly explained. “I [also] like the fact that he knows us still; [he] didn’t forget about us.”
“I did not want to be in fast food any more!”
Now that they’re out of school and in the workforce, what is their take on their National education?
“It was overall a good experience,” said Crystal. “It made me consider going [back to school] again.”
“[My education] was paid for by vocational rehab,” along with support from the college’s Workforce Development Grant, said Karen, who is hearing impaired. She also credits the support of her classmates with helping her make it through the program. “I do greatly appreciate it.”
"Definitely a good experience," Shelly concluded. "To prove to myself I could do it, and that I was able to get good grades."
