Hello to all! I realize it's been a while. I've been lurking and as usual, enjoying the excitement you all provide ocassionally!

Life has been a roller coaster the past few months, but seems to be settling down. (dare I even hope?) lol

I hope someone here can help me because I have no idea where to even begin.

I am traveling in the semi with my husband these days. Our intention is to end up moving to Va. by our daughter. Until that is decided, here I am! SOOO, I would like to take some online classes. I have no education beyond HS, so this is all new to me. My intention is to start with a Medical Assistant certificate of some sort so I can at least find a some kind of decent job to begin with when we settle.

I would like to have some opinions on schools etc...Has anyone taken online classes? What school? What classes??

ANY info would be helpful!!!

Glad to be back!!

Melissa

__________________
Melissa

I don't know much about this, but I do know there are a lot of online training scams. I would call hospitals and/or doctors' offices in the area where you hope to eventually work and ask if they have particular online schools from which they do or do not hire graduates.

__________________
If this is going to be a Christian nation that doesn't help the poor, either we have to pretend that Jesus was just as selfish as we are, or we've got to acknowledge that He commanded us to love the poor and serve the needy without condition, and then admit that we just don't want to do it.

- Stephen Colbert.

Thanks jujubee. It's the scams I'm afraid of. I just have no idea how to go about this, which is why I'm asking you all!! Calling the clinics and such is a great idea! At least it is somewhere to start! Maybe a community college in the area that offers online classes is the way to go. I just don't know.....

__________________
Melissa

Most medical related programs require a good deal of time on-site for practical experience. The math and such might be online, but for medical jobs other than transcription live experience is required.

Good for you for exploring all your options. Going with anything medical related is a great choice IMHO (if you don't mind sick people that is ... )

I would recommend Penn Foster Career School. It is very affordable.
Every state has different requirements for state licensing in the different professions.
My son did the online course to complete his required book hours for plumbing. But he also had to have X amount of hours working with a plumber. He easily passed the VA state licensing plumbers test. He also has his WV plumbers license but that state has different requirements.

Check into what the different states require for a license (if one is even required).

Best of luck!

I realize about the licensing requirements. What I'm wanting to do is start getting some education, get a job in the field then continue taking classes to "work my way up". I just have to start somewhere!

I will look at Penn Foster for sure. Anything is better than nothing at this point. We are looking at trying to be out of the truck and into new jobs in less than a year.

Just trying to put our lives back together....this last year has been extremely difficult and we are looking forward to starting over...

__________________
Melissa

Hi Melissa. I am attending Colorado Technical University online and I love it. It is an accredited school and that is something you have to make sure of when you go to an online school. The way my school works is they have live classroom functions. According to Ctu you do not have to attend the live chats, but it is recommended you listen to them archived to benefit in your success with the class. I am in accelerated classes as well; furthermore, I take 2 classes at a time lasting 5.5wks 2 assignments a week per class. I am going for my associates in medical billing and coding and I graduate September 21st 2011 and started in February 14th 2010. You get breaks in between sessions. First break is 10 days than second is 7. You are allowed to see your classes 2 days before the session to get a head start in your upcoming classes. The student advisors are wonderful I payed a 50 dollar enrollement fee and they help you set up with financial aid. If you have any questions you can email me at aryia@yahoo.com what are you going for exactly?

__________________
SAHM of Bailey 12, Tyler 10 , Emily Ann 6, and Ryan Matthew 4 yrs old.

Wow, thanks aryia! I am looking into Medical Assistant programs. I thought it would be a good place to start. I have some experience working in a clinic and I loved it. Just thought it would be better to put some education (obviously) behind what I already know.

I have already applied for financial aid. Didn't really know where to start....

You guys have been really helpful so far.....keep it coming, I could use all the advice I can get!

__________________
Melissa

Well the school will definitely help you get pell grants too and depending how much the program costs and what you are eligible for you will possibly get a stipend and that helps a lot when going to school. I highly highly recommend checking CTU out. The classroom function is not at every school I consider myself very lucky to have that as it really makes a difference in how one does in their classes. You actually listen to the instructor talk and it has a chat box and you see the instructors computer or PowerPoint presentation. They go over the assignments in class and talk about the things you need to know in your classes. You are stepping in the right direction by going to school. I commend you for taking the first step. Sometimes it isn't easy to do that. Good luck to you!

__________________
SAHM of Bailey 12, Tyler 10 , Emily Ann 6, and Ryan Matthew 4 yrs old.