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My advice: Regroup. Find a small cave, cheap, take the kids, get a stable job (1), quit trying to

Posted By: work piecemeal. You on 2005-09-27
In Reply to: I'm emotionally and financially stuck - Needing Support Ladies

need to stabilize.


Medical transcription is not a "living" - it is a sideline anymore, unless you can find a doctors office or hospital where you can count on an income and count on medical insurance.


Leave the BF - they are dead weight.  They wear you out and rarely help you find any solid footing.  If your's did you wouldn't be here asking for advice.


I used to think I need to be married - then I began to ask myself:  WHY AM I MORE BROKE AND MORE TIRED WITH A HUSBAND?


There were more hours in the day and more money in the bank when I was on my own with my children.  We may not have had fancy things but we were happy because their mom was happy - ME.


Again, don't use 3 PT/transcription jobs or even 1 FT and some PTs to say you are making it.  Either bring your budget down to living on the 1 FT and let the PT be the discretionary income (extra for savings, emergencies, etc), or leave transcription entirely.  MTing is a losing proposition at this time.  Unless of course, like I say, you are in a stable place like a hospital.  And don't COUNT on the PT to carry you through - these nationals and side jobs are playing fast and loose with paying people or providing any security at all.


GOOD LUCK. 


 




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Advice on free or cheap MT software, please

I need a software program similar to GearPlayer, free or cheap. Is there one that anyone can recommend? I want one that would work with the GearPlayer footpedal I have or with easy keyboard commands to start, stop, rewind, etc.   


I ran across a site months ago that had older versions of Stedman's spellchecker for $30 or so. If anyone knows that site, or one similar, please share that info, as well.


I also need WordPerfect, as new a version as I can get, but as inexpensive as I can get, also.


Thanks!


I'll bet you can find one on Ebay cheap.
I've been buying up the antique kitchen gadgets because they work better and cost less than the newfangled junk.
Don't quit your small co. job as you "try out" a job with a Natl. nm
:+
small kids and the MT sm
yes - it can be done but just as the others have said, you're right to be considering going to part time.
When my youngest, now 2, was brand new I, too, used a pillow and a bolster-type pillow to nurse while I typed. That, however, was when she was teeny-iney and was feeding every hour or two.
As well, I worked part time and really needed to have my work done by 8 AM.
Good luck to you and enjoy the new baby when he/she comes. You'll do just fine.. ;-)
I have small kids too

Hi Frustrated, I'm not sure why some people got down on you for what you were asking, but here's my 2 cents.  I have 2 small kids and I am a single homeschooling parent to boot.  My daughter is 4 and my son is 5.  I have been doing MT since before they were born.


I have tried the jobs with the strict shift schedules and I even tried a split shift.  None of it worked for me.  It was totally and utterly impossible.  Then I started looking for the "flexible" jobs which, by my definition, are the IC positions with 24 hour TAT. That is what works for me.  I get my work at whatever time I get it, sometimes they send in the morning sometimes in the evening, and then I have 24 hours to get it back to them.  I can take care of my kids, do their schooling, run errands, sleep, whatever I want.....as long as I have the work back to them in the 24 hours.  I also have 2 accounts of my own and those are flexible as well.  I'm not sure if you need benefits, I didn't have time to read through all the posts, but if you can manage without the benefits, then get an IC position with one of the MTSOs that offer 24 hour TAT.  Best of luck to you, I know it's not easy with small kids.  But I am sure you are doing your best.  Take care.


need advice on how to quit

Hi All,


Finally, I've had more than I can swallow at you-know-where and have accepted a job with a better company. I already feel a huge weight lifted off my shoulders!! The ESLs and constant account changes were just ridiculous.


I once saw posts with advice on how to quit without burning any bridges (e.g. what to say, how to say it), but I have spent an hour looking for them and cannot find them.


Would any of you care to share some advice again please? Appreciate it... thanks!!


 


 


IMO, you need to quit and find another company.
We experienced MTs need to refuse to accept that kind of paycut to work on ASR, which in most cases requires just as much time and effort, if not more.
Read it again and it said "The best advice I could ever give is NEVER quit your job...

That's not advice, that's rubbing salt in her wound.  Your other piece of advice about getting a loan is basically stating the obvious.  I'm sure the OP realizes she may have to borrow some money.  I think she was probably asking what should she do about the employer treating her unprofessionally.


Basically, you gave lousy advice and your only intent was to kick her when she was down.


Any small MT business owners in CA out there? I need advice!!

I'm looking start up my own small bus., just a couple accounts, but I need to know if there are any HIPAA contracts or anything else that I should be providing for the doctor and myself to sign.  Any advice would be truly appreciated!!


Thnx, Rachel


Want to start my own small business, need advice..sm
Hi all.  I am looking to get started doing some transcribing on the side for myself, and perhaps turn it into a small business.  Right now, I only have the capabilities of doing tapes and using Word as my software to transcribe in.  I feel like I should look into digital and see how much the equipment would run, and how easy it would be to use.  Does anyone have any recommendations on something that is relatively inexpensive for a beginner? Should I stick to my guns and start out with tapes first?  Any advice would certainly be appreciated.  I have been doing this for 16+ years and I feel like I shouldn't have any problems getting some local work drummed up.  I am getting ready to type up some letters to send out and I guess I will go from there.  Thanks in advance!!!!
If the kids are little, I got small clear green plastic cups

or can just use clear ones if you can't find green.  I got a red bottle of stained glass paint that they sell just about anywhere they sell crafts (even Wal-Mart) and got one of the plastic boards that you use the paint with.  I made green jello and put in the cups and then took marschiano cherries and punched down in the jello against the front of the cup for eyes.  I made scars on the board with the paint and after they dried I pulled them off and put them on the cups.  This stuff makes like a static cling thing.  I then crushed plain chocolate cookies and put on top of the jello and this creates a Frankenstein.   Smaller kids are probably the only ones who would appreciate this.  It was fairly easy, though depending on the # of kids takes lots of jello. 


Something else I did for a decoration - take a picnic table and turn it on end longways.  Take a green plastic tablecloth and cover the table.  Cut black plastic for hair and attach to the top of the table, either on top of the green cloth or just above it if your cloth isn't long enough.  Take aluminum pie pans and then take a styrofoam ball and paint it and attach to the pans and attach for eyes.   Use the above board and paint and make some really big scars and then attach those.  Get some of those popcorn buckets from the movies, or sometimes you can find them in the stores, cover with aluminum foil and attach to the table on each side for the bolts.  If it will be dark you can add glow-in-the-dark paint to the eyes and use a black light.  


I did this a couple of years ago and everyone stopped to tell me how cute it was.  I saw it in Family Fun magazine I believe so I can't take credit for it. 


 


 


Best way to find small MTSOs

Does anyone know the best way to find small MTSOs?  I have found that I would much rather work for the smaller ones than the nationals.


Any ideas would be appreciated!


Thanks in advance!


I need some advice on starting my own small side business. sm

First of all, I have worked for several nationals in the past few years, and equipment has always been provided.  I currently have a f/t position with a national that I use my own personal computer for, they just put their software on it.  I had what I needed already, as far as foot pedal, Expander program, etc.


I have just been sort of rolling ideas around in my head about possibly starting up something small perhaps on a p.r.n. basis just to bring in a little extra income.  As I am still just mulling this around in my mind, my questions are:  How do I go about getting started? Do I try to purchase equipment first, or start out using tapes? I am worried about spending the money and not having any takers, so I am thinking, I should send out some sort of letters first; but, without having the equipment already, how do I tell them I plan on doing their transcription.  Maybe mention tapes first, and tell them I have plans to go digital after I get up and running? These are all just things I wonder about.  If anyone has any ideas, please feel free to email me with any advice. 


I have been an MT for 16+ years, but as I said, I have always had all of the stuff provided for me and just don't know how to start. 


Thanks in Advance!


 


I think I used Maalox when my kids were small. Poor things, both youngest boys had them everywhere
It was 100 degrees out that year. They spent a week in the house in the tub with Aveeno and more Benadryl than I think they had in their entire lives.
Don't work for a national. Find a small
MTSO that pays well. They are out there, as long as you hold up your end of the bargin. I left my hospital job to work for a national, several nationals now but who is counting. I found a small company and finally am making the $$$.

Good luck to you.
I am extremely curious as to what new hires do when they find out they have not work. Do they quit,
do they get transferred, what happens to them.
It helps you regroup!
I would have to agree that even a newbie would know to spell check their resume.  If they do not, then they don't belong in this field.  I have to admit that there are many "Americans" that do not even know how to fill out an application.  I say money is not everything.  I just landed a position with a company that is not paying the most, but guess what?  They are friendly, the hours are great, they all speak English (no IS ESL people).  If you think transcribing an ESL is difficult, try learning a new system from one????!!!!!  I applaud you for venting.  Your post is nicely said.  On the other hand, be explicit in your recruiting!  Do not post "nicey-nice" advertisements, and then believe you will get the best of the best.  Most MTs in this online setting know that not everything is rosey, no matter what the company is offering!  It is tough out there, but not just in transcription!  Take care and good luck in recruiting great staff (that can spell)! haha 
Need advice on kids and sharing

I just moved to a new neighborhood last month.  There is a family of 5 kids in the neighborhood that have been playing with my kids, and they are very sweet kids.  They are really good kids, never in trouble, and it is very endearing how they look out for one another and never fight with each other. 


However, these kids come over every day, and they constantly ask for food, money, toys and Band-Aids.  They always want to borrow my son's bike or scooter, and they all ask for food daily.  My kids say they have a lot of food at home.


At first I did let them borrow some of the toys, but it quickly got out of hand.  I sat the kids down and told them that they were not allowed to ask me for food or money, that it was their parents responsibility to provide that.  I told them that if they were hungry they had to go home to eat.  They were good for a few days, but went right back to asking again.  I also told them that they could not borrow any more toys or bikes. 


Today their mother told my kids that they were "mean children" because they didn't know how to share. 


I'm livid.  I want my kids to take care of their things, and they can't do that if these children constantly borrow their things.  I also don't think "sharing" is a life skill they need to learn.  You certainly don't see adults sharing their trucks, boats, jetskis, etc.  I think it is more important for kids to learn to take care of what they have, not share it with the world. 


I feel like I need to talk to this mother, but I'm not sure how to say it without being confrontational.  Any ideas?  Am I out of line on this one? 


Used it with a small service. Didn't find it as easy as ExText. nm
s
Someone paddles my kids, they will find my fist for lunch!!!
c
Gotta find a good place to live. My kids play outside.

They know to come in when the street lights flicker on.


Strength in numbers though. I'd never let one of my kids go to the playground on the next street over by themselves, but my parents never let any of us wander off too far by ourselves either. It was always with a bunch of other kids.


STable?
No one is really stable in this profession; they can outsource in a New York minute and never forget that!  Many people work in public places.  Go visit that hospital you work for and I bet you'll find loads of stuff sitting around with the patient names on there and also people flat out talking about the patient in this room or that room.  It's not fault proof. 
"Live in a cave"???......sm

Your childish statements including the one about "editing my reports with your eyes closed" just prove my point.  Secure, adult professionals do not require a daily affirmation to make us "feel better".  I don't need a "job well done pat on the head".  Obviously you do.


Do you mean like critical, stable, poor?
Not sure what your question...I'm just thinking of all the conditions someone can be in.  If it were a family member, hearing "guarded" would make me very nervous.
do you live in a cave in the middle of no where as well? its not babysitting
We get so little of in the work place, so whats wrong with an occasional 'job well done' when its deserved, if only to make us feel better.  Or even a little personable information, we're not robots.  I've been doing this over 10 years, independent and believe me I could probably edit your reports with my eyes closed my dear. 
You should complain to management again and immediately. If you cave, then they will

Opan a large stable and board
horses, or become a doctor.
See if there's anything on the MSoft website. Otherwise, you might just have to cave for service
s
Not sure. I was told by the stable owner it was a fungus but my ferrier said it
was not.  Probably time for a vet.
First cave paintings, then cuneiform in clay, then papyrus. nm
nm
Per diem is on an as needed basis - not a stable job. May work 1 day a month. nm
x
The way I see it. Competing with national rates. If stable acct, good dictators. Bid low, get job
dd
Previously Unknown Prehistoric Species Discovered In Israel Cave
Researchers from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have announced today the discovery of eight previously unknown, ancient animal species within "a new and unique underground ecosystem in a cave near Ramle, Israel.

In a press conference on the Mt. Scopus campus of the Hebrew University, the researchers said the discovery came about when a small opening was found, leading to a cave extending to a depth of 100 meters beneath the surface of a quarry in the vicinity of Ramle, between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. The quarry is operated by cement manufacturer Nesher Industries.

The cave, which has been dubbed the Ayalon Cave, is "unique in the world", said Prof. Amos Frumkin of the Hebrew University Department of Geography. This is due mainly to its isolation from the outside world, since the cave's surface is situated under a layer of chalk that is impenetrable to water. The cave, with its branches, extends over some 2½ kilometers, making it Israel's second largest limestone cave. It is to remain closed to the public to permit further scientific research.

The invertebrate animals found in the cave – four seawater and freshwater crustaceans and four terrestial species – are related to but different from other, similar life forms known to scientists. The species have been sent to biological experts in both Israel and abroad for further analysis and dating. It is estimated that these species are millions of years old. Also found in the cave were bacteria that serve as the basic food source in the ecosystem.

The animals found there were all discovered live, except for a blind species of scorpion, although Dr. Dimentman is certain that live scorpions will be discovered in further explorations and also probably an animal or animals which feed on the scorpions.

The underground cave includes an underground lake, in which the crustaceans were found. The lake is part of the Yarkon-Taninim aquifer, one of Israel's two aquifers, yet is different in temperature and chemical composition from the main waters of the aquifer. The lake's temperature and salinity indicates that its source is deep underground.

Among the interesting features of the discoveries thus far in the cave is that two of the crustaceans are seawater species and two others are of a types found in fresh or brackish water.

This can provide insights into events occurring millions of years ago regarding the history of ancient bodies of water in the region.

 

Now, go to the link and see a pic of one of the little buggers!

I quit once for 3 years, but then started again. (Quit cold turkey when I did)


I quit two months ago. I tried to quit for over a year, but I just had to be ready.
I tried the patch, NRT gum, Zyban, everything. One morning, I woke up and just quit cold turkey. There are some good online support groups out there that can help you when you're ready.
small mentality usually means small pocketbook
Still make more than you and I but that is deserved. They've put the effort forward and educated themselves.


ALSO IF THEY WERE GOING TO QUIT SE, THEY WOULD QUIT ADVERTISING TO HIRE SE
And I have seen a new ad in the magazine Advance that has a sign on bonus for SE's, maybe just better pay, let's think positive!!
Do little kids like caramel? My big kids won't even eat it! We make the basic Baker's chocolat
s
I never said you shouldn't have kids! Feeling guilty? I asked WHY you had kids.
You clearly stated in your post that you ship the kids off to camp all day, and they're TIRED AT NIGHT!!  You know exactly what you said.  You said it as a PERK - AS IN GREAT! They're gone all day, it wears them out, and so I shovel dinner in their mouths and off to bed!  You can try to paint it any way you want, but YOU SAID IT.  Again, I only hope your kids never hear you speak that way or write that way. Shame on you.  Why have kids at all?  Just another parent who has them, gets rid of them for day AND night, BRAGS ABOUT IT, and then calls ME wicked!  Give me a break!  Camp is fine - its WHAT YOU SAID AND YOU KNOW IT.  Your own words showed your heart. Period.
Kids are demanding and so is MT work. My question is how CAN you do this with kids, rather than how
When you have two young kids, 11 months apart, (like I stated they are now 4 and 5) and have been doing this since they were born with no help from their father and no family around, YES, the kids get neglected. Part time might work but living on one salary, part time, is not an option. How can you possible tell me that anyone with two young kids can stay at home and work a full-time, 8-hour shift, and still give their kids the attention they NEED. I dont care how good you are at multitasking and how great your organizational skills are. It is a very difficult thing to do. And I am offended by your post making it sound as if it is easy to do.

I do agree that it can depend on how well your kids behave and how well they are able to play on their own. But my kids were not able to play well on their own. They needed constant attention.

So please take the time to realize that there are people out there in different situations than your own.

Reading our posts should help you to understand that everyone has a different situation. I believe everyone should have the right to shares their experiences as it might benefit the original poster in her questions and concerns.

I dont think anyone should be bashed for taking the time out to write about their experiences. I dont usually come on here to argue but you really ticked me off with your post. And try reading the post correctly. I said next time around I would have put them in day care. What I DID do with them was set them up to an activity like art or put on a movie for them. Geez.
Stayed "because of the kids?" I say "leave because of the kids"
You're in no position to buy right now. Keep saving, keep paying down your bills, and for heaven's sake get rid of that dead weight of a BF you're living with. You can do better.
So, should I return the $75 (x2 kids) in music cards I got the kids for x-mas...sm
My son has been telling me about free music sites and I was very leary.  How do they skirt the law Radguy?
I don't have kids, but my Mom was from the "old school," and still had everyone, kids inclu

call her by her first name.  The little neighbor girl next door from the time she could speak called her Aggie (my mom's first name), and they were great buddies until the day my mom pased away. 


I don't think there really is much in a name, but more in the respect you are given and the way you are treated.   Personally, I kind of cringe inside when someone calls me Ms. Anything or God forbid, "maam" (makes me feel like Methuselah!) ... I'm always just plain Merrie.  :-)


But, as someone pointed out, to each his own.  If you want to be addressed a certain way, you have that right, and people should respect that.  I'm glad you corrected the child ... hope it "sticks."    


Advice to YOU..1st learn to spell before insulting poster and trying to give advice...sm

Do NOT quit MT yet! & dont quit looking.Try her
x
Sound advice from a fellow MT if you want advice or support (sm)

I have been an MT for over 10 years.  I also am getting burnt out, tired of my job, day in day.  However, I do love transcription and make excellent money at it, have grossed over $50,000 per year the last 5 years.  I decided to go back to nursing school and am very happy with my choice.  However, over these 10 years of transcription I have had my ups and downs.  My biggest issue with being at home working is lack of socialization, being home day in and day out with just the kids and the animals really gets to a person, sure hubby is home at night and thinks working from home is the easy life, thus the return to school and boy has my overall enjoyment of life changed once I realized I was the problem, not everyone else and I needed to find myself again.


Anyway, my biggest advice to you three-fold:


1.  Get into counseling for yourself, find out who you are and what your needs are, whether or not you think you need to, I sense you are feeling overwhelmed and need someone other than your family to talk to that can be nonjudgmental to your feelings and needs.


2.  If you're only making $100 after you pay preschool you can either keep doing it and be miserable, or quit because you are lucky enough to have a husband who can support the family without your income. (See how fast his mind changes just by losing the income you do have as to whether your job means anything.)  Or look for a different company or office that you like more and are more productive if you really want to do transcription (lots of fish in the sea as far as companies).


3.  Find a local "mom's" group where you can get out and socialize.  MOPS (mother's of preschoolers) is an excellent one that is nationwide, they have a website.  Also Mom2Mom is in a lot of areas.  They provide a once a week time for moms with kids the same age to get together, socialize, (some offer spirtual guidance some don't) and each week a different mom takes a turn watching everyone else's children at the facility that hosts it so the other moms can talk about things they have in common.  Every stay-at-home and work-from-home mom needs to socialize with adults, without their kids, or they will have a nervous breakdown eventually no matter how much they love their kids.


Sorry so long but it does get better but you have to take the first step at making yourself happy.


Please do not simply give up, kids or no kids!
Talk with a professional. This can be worked through if he really puts forth the effort and you participate. The right counseling can truly make your marriage even better than it was before, if BOTH parties are willing to be honest. Give it a try. Nothing to lose at this point and everything to gain!
go to chat room on web site and find out. i'm working but if you find out, let me know.
creepy dude.
No, you are not being cheap.
I spend what I can afford. No more, no less.
They got her cheap
Quality is on the downswing and hiring cheap people is up but that's ridiculous.
Yes, cheap. NM
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