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1) Plenty of positive posts. 2) QA post was not a Simple Question; you know that.

Posted By: are you her? Trying to start trouble? nm on 2008-10-04
In Reply to: Why is it that lately on this particular - wantingtoknowMT

nm


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Just do a search and read the posts. There are plenty of posts about OSI on this board. nm.
nm.
It's MDI in Maryland. Plenty of posts on a Company board search. nm
s
Hey, thanks for such a positive post.
Thanks also to the others below who understand how it is out there.
finally, a POSITIVE post, thanks! nm

1 positive post near top of pg 2 on the Company board.
s
Post above is RIGHT ON. We have plenty sm
of people working here who type the most twisted garbage I've ever seen.  I have QA'd Indian work before and most of them have a better grasp than many of the people I see in my job list day after day.  My company isn't offshoring right now, but it wouldn't surprise me if they did.  Many of the worst MTs have more than 20 years in, can you believe that?  They've hidden themselves away, haven't kept up on the changes in transcription and they refuse to accept feedback and apply it.
Is there a place to post requests for positive thoughts?
I applied for a job that I really want and need.  The waiting game is killing me.  I know it's out of my hands now, but I'm so antsy waiting to hear back from them.  Please send me some positive job mojo thoughts.  Thank you.
Probably because she posts, you post, she then
posts, then you post. Are we missing something here??? Get a life, oh negativity spewing poster!
I wish we could 'edit' our posts, even after we post them...sorry, it is 6:30 a.m.
I see a few errors, but you get the general idea...

Thank you, ladies, and have a nice morning.
Why do you remember who posts what and when? Why would you go and look up her old post? AND...
Most importantly, why do you care?
Had you read my post you would see that I knew someone would say that. When all the posts are about
it gets kind of old. There is no way to skip them because all of them are them! If I ignored the posts, the whole MT Stars would be ignored! Can you comprehend that?
(above post got cut off, meant to say read posts above this one
x
MY posts were sarcasm. Don't blame me for every single post.

Nobody even knows what you're talking about with hatred.  I don't see any hateful posts here.


Actually, I've seen Anon post negatively about other posts regarding SS.
yyy
Oh he reads this board alright. I used to post my e-mail in my posts.
I use to post on the offshore board a lot.  He took the liberty of writing me and telling me his opinion several times. I finally just blocked his e-mail. He reads here.
Answer to all recent posts . . . sm . . . and my own summarization of reasons as to the first post -
To the poster accusing me of lying (SEE MESSAGE):

I am not. However, I have to mention that I have been working at least 20 hours of OT a pay period. My end amount for the month before taxes is about $2200 (give or take a few hundred depending on how much OT I can work).

Thus, I take home from that about $850 per pay check. That is $1700 a month of take home pay. Like I said in my first post, my husband is able to bring home some money. So with his help, our monthly income is about $1900 after taxes and benefits.

Below is the list of our expenses in a month. Obviously, we are not living comfortably and are pinching ever penny we have, but we are still making it.

House - $1350/mo
Phone Bill - $80/mo
Electric - $125/mo
Heat - $110/mo
Diapers - $40/mo
Gas - $50/mo
Food - $140/mo

Total - $1895/mo

I know the food amount seems low, but we grew all our own vegetables during the summer and have a connection with relatives on farms for eggs, chicken, and beef. We have made an effort to keep our bills as low as possible.

Next poster (My Take):
Yes, $11.50/hr is very low. However, if I were to go outside the home with my education, I wouldn't be able to find a job at more than maybe $16.00/hr. Yes that is quite a bit more than $11.50/hr, however, that does not include the $$$ that I would be having to pay to put my son into day care and does not include the $$$ that I would be spending on gas (would have to travel about 100 miles a day to find a job that pays that much). All that added up, ends up making my horrible pay of $11.50/hr equal to or greater than the $16.00/hr pay. I do not consider myself to be working for peanuts. I could make more if I wanted, but I chose to have family benefits, an employee status, and produce work that I can be proud of (not that I am saying those of you making more money than I aren't producing good work, I just know if I rush too much, I tend to miss things that I wouldn't had I slowed down and took my time). In the position I am at right now, I can easily make $24/hr, but because I tend to make more mistakes at this pace, I choose to slow down and send out great work. I wouldn't want my medical record to be incorrect. I completely understand that there aren't many, who would like to be in my situation, I am just trying to show people that you actually can live off of lower pay, whether you want to admit it or not. I do know that where you live makes a big difference, but if I have to chose between a roof over my family's head and food on the table versus living in a certain area, you better believe I will chose my family.

Next Poster (Hawaii MT):
Hawaii is a much more expensive place to live. I don't think I could be an MT and live there due to that fact. However, I wouldn't put myself in that situation. Your post is correct, I don't think you could live off of $11.50/hr down there, which is why if that was all I was bringing in, I would have to move. Better to be miserable and support my family than be happy but not have a house or food to eat. IMHO. In regards to clothes, I am lucky because I have my sister, who gives me the stuff she doesn't want any more. I haven't bought one article of clothing for myself in 5 years now. In reference to your next post about moving and then moving back, that is was your decision to put yourself in that situation of living in a more expensive area. Thus if you aren't making enough to survive, isn't it your fault then? Why complain about the industry? Granted, I am not sure if you are one to be complaining, but just my thoughts.

Next Poster (MTT):
I never said I was doing well off of $11.50/hr. In fact, I am not doing well at all, just getting buy, but I am able to make it, so that is why I am happy. I can't believe you make almost as much as a nurse. You must be awesome. Nurses in my area make $35/hr minimum. I do, however, agree that the lack of pay raises in this industry is frustrating. The more experience I have, the less my pay seems to be. I went from making almost $14/hr with a local hospital to $11.50/hr with an MTSO, but didn't have a choice, so made it work.

Next Poster (MT):
I know you can't live in California or New York on my wages. However, if I were living in those areas and making what I make, I would be working 2 to 3 jobs if I felt I absolutely had to continue to live in those areas. I doubt I would do that though. I would much rather live a more comfortable lifestyle somewhere that is less expensive.

Next Poster (thought about moving?):
My thoughts exactly. For those complaining about their wages and the cost of living being so much, I don't understand why they complain, when there are other options. JMHO.

Next Poster (50 miles inland):
Florida is cheaper than California, as well as a lot of the southern and east coasts.

Next Poster (income):
My rent went from $500/mo 3 years ago to $1350/mo once I bought a house. This was my choice, but I know what it is like to feel a shock from rising payments. I have adjusted to this though, and actually since our payments have gone up, our income has gone down by over half of what it used to be. Not much fun, but the whole point of my original post was to let people know that it still can be done, just that sometimes drastic measures have to be taken. I don't know of many who can get their income to go up, so instead of complaining about how low it is all the time, why not do something about the extra expenses you do have?

Next Poster (I would be happy at $25/hr too):
If you can't afford to live off of what you are making and you live in a high cost area, then what I meant by reevaluate your lifestyle might actually be that if you want to continue as an MT because of all the other perks, you might have to sacrifice and move so that you can afford to live while working as an MT. That would be one way of reevaluating if you can't afford to live like you currently are on your pay. Personally, I wouldn't be moving. I would be finding a different job or getting more jobs. I like where I live.

The basic point of my post is that there is no point in complaining about how "little you make". If you don't make enough money to "survive", then you should be looking at either a new job, another job, or finding a place where you can "survive" off of what you currently make. There is no point in coming on these boards to complain about your "horrible pay or no raises" when you are making twice as much as a lot of people. Besdies with the economy right now, anyone with a job doesn't even have a right to complain IMHO. I know too many people laid off right now, who are struggling to keep their house. So to see people complaining about what they make when they have a job is not fair.

My whole point of my original post had nothing to do with how much I make (trust me, I am not proud of it, but it does pay the bills, so I am grateful for that). It had to do with the fact that you should be happy you have a job.

To those of you that said I was happy making $11.50/hr, the reason I am "happy" is because I can support my family. I don't like the amount and think it is quite low, but I am so happy right now just to have a job it isn't even funny. This is why I am happy with my $11.50/hr. Seriously, with the way the economy is, I would be happy as a peaches pie just to be making anything over minimum wage.

Also, I like being an MT and being able to work from home and be with my family. I think the fact that I am able to be home with my family everyday is well worth my lack in pay.

I do understand that we aren't getting paid what we should be and that the wages are continuing to go down, but that is happening everywhere. Just be happy you have a job. Seriously.

Any more comments . . . I am just trying to make those who are complaining realize how lucky they actually are to have a job and to be making as much as they do.
Posts are up for grabs. Private message is not. You would only post publicly to what, stir SM
something up? If you had an honest question, the proper thing to do would have been to ask the question privately. Otherwise, you look like you are trying to rile people up when you already know how everybody feels.
Oops! the are positive, not and positive.
nm
I suspect that unless you post like-minded sanitized goodie goodie posts,
x
how is this positive?
Is that if we're offered up sh@t, we're supposed to eat it, because it could be worse?  Nice attitude. 
well, I'm not positive but...sm
I don't think you can use any other Expander with DQS.  An expander does what DQS does...when you type tp and DQS gives you the patient (if that's one you use)...I used Smart Type b4 (which is still my short cut for before!!) and LOVED it.  It took me a long time to get production back up with DQS...but I was never as fast as you--2000 lines! wow   
You positive that's what it was? sm
If you're sure it was a panic attack, then I wouldn't go to the doctor. But if not absolutely sure, it could be something serious.

Extra stressors? How old are you (if you don't mind my asking!). Typical age is 30s. Lots of info easily found online.

As others said, the bag works for hyperventilating. Re-breathe the air from the bag.

Hope you feel better. No insurance sucks. I'm right there with you.
It was positive! sm
Congratulations! You will be in my prayers!
Think positive (sm)
When you say about going to counseling and state "but I feel it is not going to help" is not starting off in a good direction. Go to counseling with an open heart. Tell youself that it WILL work. Tell yourself that the counselor is going to help both of you see new ways to handle life.

Not knowing your husband's mental health issue, it's hard to put a finger on that. I'm saying it sounds like he's depressed? If he's not working due to this mental health issue, that's probably a nice slap on the ego as well.

With regard to getting help, ask him to come help you do whatever. I used to do the same thing, do everything while DH sat on his behind. We went for counseling and I let it be known at that point that I wanted a partner, not another kid. I wanted a partner in all aspects of our marriage; 50/50 marital, 50/50 in parenting, 50/50 in house keeping. We then went from there and figured out how to help this out. I told the counselor I felt like I was expected to do everything. He was kind of surprised to hear me say that. After that, we all started doing our own laundry, even him!!! He does his own work clothes too.

I'm going to bet that if your husband can feel like he's contributing more, maybe he'll feel better and start taking better care of himself. I know back in the day when I was depressed and feeling the world upon my shoulders, looking nice was the last thing on my mind.
Something positive

Yesterday I went to my daughter's school to have lunch.  This was the first time the school did this so it was very disorganized and the schedule was running an hour behind.  There were all of these moms fretting because they had to get back to work, and some even had to leave before they were able to participate.  Seeing this made me very happy to be an MT (IC) because I didn't have to worry about getting back to work right away and got to enjoy the time without the anxiety of what kind of trouble I would be in with the boss. 


I know we all have complaints and things that are not fair in this profession, but that is one huge benefit that I am more than happy to take.


Try to be positive sm
You have a great educational background. I met people along the way who could not spell diarrhea correctly. You may be able to help a large dental facility such as Tufts-NE in Boston or a service a large facility contracts their work to. You could start slow, gain confidence. You will definitely not make money at first, but if you want to stay home with your child, think of the costs you will eliminate and the pleasure you will gain by just being home. Don't be discouraged. Where there is a will, there is a way. Perhaps someone will direct you to some SUM program tapes, etc. and you could slowly build up your word book dictionaries by buying used. I started out buying books from the Salvation Army as I live near a large prestigious university. People tried to discourage me as well, but I learned fast and furious as I had a good education and a good head on my shoulders. Don't give up! Good luck!
You actually get POSITIVE feedback
nm
Positive things!

Okay, I'm with ya here.  I really need to start focusing on the positives in my life instead of the negatives.  This is a fantastic way for me to start.


Let's see now.  I'm a recently divorced (YIPPEE - put that off for ten years!!) mother of 2.  Although it can be isolating working at home sometimes, I wouldn't trade it for anything!!  I make twice (sometimes three times) as much as I would per hour in a hospital.  I don't have to pay for day care - EVER. 


Oh, and since I make so much, I was able to keep the house (my ex couldn't ever afford it).  I'm proud to say I have not had to borrow ONE PENNY from anyone through my divorce, I did it all on my own! 


I can always be worse, I'm trying to be positive
You could be one of those in New Orleans, then would the pay cut mean anything to you? You would be happy to be alive. Why is it that only what affects us personally matters? This is what is wrong with society. My husband took a 25% pay cut a year ago, now the company he works for is bankrupt, slated to shut down in 9 days. He has worked there for 35 years. Be thankful you have a job, or get a new one.
A positive pause...please sm

Just wanted to share a link with anyone who could use a little positivity today...it's truly worth it


http://www.greatday.com


Peace...out.


 


need positive thoughts
whether you have insurance or not, if you continue to experience chest pain, go to the nearest ER. I am a 42 year old who had to have a stent due to a 95% blockage. It is better to be alive than worried you will look silly.
Thank you for the positive thoughts.
I do have a little small something that might eventually need surgery, but it's not cancer. This doctor was very nice and didn't treat me like I was a hypochondriac.
I'm positive - maybe if I "google" it (sm)

Duh. I figured it out, it's positive. nm

The responses I get and usually positive.
The most common is, "Oh, I know someone who does that. She makes a lot of money!"
Positive experience here...
We filed Chapter 7 a couple of years ago (before new laws).  Best thing that ever happened.  Since then we have paid off our house, saved money and are driving older paid-for cars.  We only pay cash.  If we don't have enough, we save it.  It actually turned into a blessing for us.  I think credit is absolutely ruining so many people's lives.  Better to do without for now and save!  Then if you save, you can pay for emergencies.  Good luck in whatever you decide!!
Thank you for the positive encouragement!
It is a very scary thing to do, but I am not going to quit...I need to continue on.
Think Positive....see message
Okay, so maybe you have slacked off a bit on your production in comparison to years past, no big deal. Maybe you just got comfortable with a flexible schedule and didn't make much time to work and perhaps you didn't need the money to begin with....We all make excuses! It is very easy to get sidetracked and do 'everything else' when you are at home trying to work. The great thing about this new situation for you is that it will be a FRESH Start! You can make more out of it if you start off by setting goals, meeting production, etc. Don't really need the extra money now, but want to have something to fall back on in case your situation changes? Well, then reward yourself for the extra hard work by treating yourself to "prizes"- go shopping, go to the spa, go out for ice cream, anything. Make yourself feel good about meeting your goals/production requirements. Yes, you CAN do it. You will be proud of yourself for doing it. And By the Way- Congratulations on your new Position! :)
Well, I am not positive, but the way I understood it--sm
was that the bill *strongly encouraged* physicians to upgrade and make paper medical records available on some type of electronic system so they could be accessed by computer. I do not necessarily believe that all doctors are going to be *forced* to use the EHR system for transcription...just so the records can be accessed on line by any physician anywhere. that is all. but that is just my understanding of it and again, I could be wrong. Sounds like she was just trying to scare you! She better be careful, maybe they will sign a bill allowing for robots to take over all nursing professions too. lol. j/k.
Positive note
Melissa,
MT is a real, legitimate work-at-home job. You can't do it, usually, without either contacts, past experience or formal training. I formally trained for 7 months and got a job working from home 2 weeks after graduating. The formal training costs are reasonable...and I think anyone would agree with that after the money they've spent on their BA (of which I have one too). If you are serious about this, get formally trained at one of the good on-line schools, and you should have no trouble finding an at-home position. Working with a child or children (as I do) is not easy, but it can work if you want/need it to. You will have to have some help...maybe your spouse or an in-home babysitter sometime, but it beats working full time and leaving your kids in daycare to get pneumonia, of which I speak from experience. Good luck to you in your decision. Becky
Positive note

I didn't even realize you could look at other reports...and I will definitely try just using the function keys instead of the foot pedal.  I have also been typing for a long time, 20+ years, and I find it difficult to make my fingers do other things than what they have been doing for 20 years LOL...but I guess I just have to get used to it.


The thing that I really don't like about this system, and maybe you could give me some feedback on this too...I HATE the spellchecker...when I spellcheck a word, there is an option to add the word, but when I go to the next report, it's not there.  There is also no way to save any normals, except for the autocorrect for words, but I don't think you can actually put in a paragraph or a sentence and have that as an autocorrection.    The words that are in the spellchecker are horrible too...most medicines are either captilized or lower case, even if they are not generics.  I am just so used to the Word program and really feel that it's the best to type in.  I also don't like the fact that once you send the report, you cannot get back to it.  I have just really been making mistakes in this new system, and am now watching every little thing I do, and that slows me down, but maybe once I work out some of the kinks, I will be able to speed back up and not have to worry so much.


I also liked the advice (not sure right now who gave it) about cutting and pasting the document into word to make sure there are no mistakes...I have been doing that, and it's working really well for me!  Thanks for that


Thanks for the advice!


thanks for the "proof positive"
This just sounded too good to be true, and I really appreciate the "proof positive" it is working for transcriptionists before I invest. One potential employer without hesitation lumped wireless in with satellite. I will make a transcript of this post to reply back on my next rejection e-mail.

Thanks again for the help.


Do not look for it to be a positive experience at all.
nm
Think positive and don't worry is my best tip.
I took my test and passed (I'm sure by the skin of my teeth, LOL) way back in 1992, so it's all different now. Some of the best MTs I ever knew--far better than I was--didn't pass the first time, but passed the second, and others just got mad and didn't take the exam again.

If you want it, go for it. I believe you will pass because you truly want the credential, and desire and motivation are the key! :) :)
I used to be positive - but, too many years as an MT

:) There are a LOT of positive, helpful people out there...
...but you won't find many here, unfortunately. FYI. :o)
Guaranteed positive results.

It seems people everywhere are looking for positivity - especially in light of the Katrina disaster, on top of the 9/11 anniversary, the Iraq war, tensions in every aspect of our life.  I'm going to share a personal mantra of mine that has helped me in the past, is soothing me now, and will greatly benefit me in the future as well.


Fasting can be looked at in different ways.  Most of the time, we think of it purely toward food and most of the time associate it with religion.  Fasting, however, is really a drawing back, holding back, purposefully now allowing full satisfaction.  You can do this in any and all aspects of your life.  Fasting as a way of life can change your life -- it has mine.


By not allowing myself to fully satisfy whatever aspect I am engaging, I make room for personal growth and fulfillment from that innate resource of the soul.  I recognize God as my maker, my Father, my Savior.  Some recognize other forms of higher power.  I can speak from MY experience, my beliefs, that fasting in areas of your life as a way of living will grant Him room to give you satisfaction and fulfillment beyond what you could have achieved without it.


You can fast with money -- don't buy everything you want to with the last $5 in your hand, give it away.  Give it to some worthy cause.  Give it to church.  Buy diapers or food for a local shelter.  Don't take all your money for just yourself.


You can fast with time -- give 30 minutes a week to read stories to children at the library, to visit a nursing home and play checkers or just talk and hold the hands of people who have no control over their fate, or volunteer with CASA or a battered women's shelter, or even a school to help with room mothers or watch traffic at the high school, etc.  Don't take all your time for just yourself.


You can fast with your intellect -- give an hour a week to work on changing a problem in your community, your state, your local government, your school district, this nation, this world.  Use your mind and determine a value really close to your heart and then use your intellect to understand where you can help and do so.  Don't take all your intellectual energy for just yourself.


You can fast spiritually -- give an hour or two a week in prayer for simply thanks.  It takes the focus off YOU.  It puts it on OTHERS.  It directs your attention away from what you are inundated with all the time.  Don't take all your prayer time for just yourself.


Of course, you can fast with food as well.  Wednesdays are the middle of the work week and perhaps you could do a juice fast (only juice/water) for the day, or fast from something you usually indulge in, or just simply decide to always leave food uneaten on your plate every meal.  Do it with the remembrance of the millions who die every single day from not having food to eat.  Do it to recognize that we have it all right here in our own backyard.  Do it to recognize the choice you have of whether you WANT to eat, what you want to eat, how much you want, etc.  Maybe you will fast a meal and send the makings of one to a shelter or to a family in need.  Don't take all the food just for yourself.


The list can go on and on and on.  It truly works.  You can start really really small and if you want to increase what you are enjoying, you've a base to start on.  Start with $5 a payperiod to invest in others; 30 minutes a week to give to others; 30 minutes a week studying and working toward resolution of a problem in your world somewhere; 30 minutes a week of prayer for others; a meal a week for others. 


Trust me, it is a different type of sacrifice.  One that only offers positive results and they are guaranteed for everyone. 


Guaranteed positive results
Thank you for such a wonderful post. I know that this is true. I've tried and have been successful in teaching my children that it is important to give and help others but I find myself slacking in these areas recently. With my health problems I feel I have been mired down in self-pity but with your post to remind me what it's all about, perhaps I will be able to get back on track. Thank you again - your post has been a blessing.
I liked it!! good to see positive humor! ..nm
.
Positive serum pregnancy
Yes, it happened to me spotting on tissue only for 2 days, son is now almost 20. Doctor first said she did not know if it was a viable pregnancy, told me to go home and take it easy for a week, I did just what she said. Bleeding stopped by the next day. Good luck to you.
Positive pregnancy test
Indeed I've had that experience with two months of bleeding/spotting with a positive pregnancy test, the result of which was a lovely 11 lb 9 1/2 oz, 26-inch long baby boy born by natural delivery with a smile on his beautiful face. The lovely boy is now 6'4" inches tall and the love of my life. My prayers go with you for a successful outcome.