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Serving Over 20,000 US Medical Transcriptionists

Over 100. Burnt my bare feet on concrete. Plants are dying.

Posted By: Central Calif oven (NM) on 2005-07-25
In Reply to: never thought I would say it, but can't wait for FALL - need some cool air

dd


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House plants
First and foremost, the plant has to have roots to absorb nutrients, so if there are none, you need to put it in just plain old water in a vase (make sure it is not soft water too), put it in a window with some sun, watch how the plant does with direct sun, it may or may not like it at first, but they do like it when they are babies. No hot sun though, and wait for a couple of weeks, when you have a few good roots, then the dirt is fine WITHOUT A FERTILIZER FIRST, cause it will eat your roots, then, after the roots grab onto the dirt (excuse my verbage), it is safe to fertilize with some time released "balls" can't get to mine right now to give you the exact name, but it prevents burning.  Start out with a good potting soil too and make sure when you go put the plant in dirt, it has holes in the pot.  Hope this helps.  My house is a complete jungle, been doing this for a lot of years. 
Has anyone ever painted a concrete patio that is exposed to the elements..sm
and if so, how successful were you in keeping it from cracking and peeling. I plan to use concrete paint of course, but I am concerned it will crack and peel and look ugly in a short time.  Any hints? 
Bought best concrete paint Sherwin Williams had
I have painted my front porch umteen times, but I have never put a primer under it. That may be the key to it not peeling and flaking off. I thought I'd give it one more try this year (when it cools down a bit) but talk to them about a primer first. No one has told me to prime it and I'm not sure if there is even a primer for concrete as I don't know that much about painting, but I'm hoping that may be the key. I even bought the No-Slip concrete paint once... I hated it! It looked terrible when it started flaking off!  Good Luck on your project and hope someone knows more than I do to help you.
Maybe you can get un-burnt-out by 1 or more of these:
Maybe you can get un-burnt-out by 1 or more of these: Read trade journals (AAMT, Advance, Plexus, even nursing or MD journals); read up on the lastest stuff at related websites; watch some of those live ER or reenacted ER TV shows; watch some of those surgery TV programs; if you have cable TV check out health-related programs; be a volunteer if that's your kind of thing & offer to do some transcription for a nonprofit clinic for the poor (helping others is a known cure for burnout); change your work area: wallpaper or paint, or a new desk, a desktop fishtank or fountain, a CD player for some non-distracting music.
Burnt out...what do you do?
What do you do when you just can't take it anymore? I feel so burnt out in this field right now, but Im kind of stuck here at the moment for personal reasons. What has helped you get out of that "rut" when you feel burnt out?
Burnt out

Hi Everyone,


I am not coming here to sound like I'm whining or complaining, but I am just completely burnt out, stressed, and an emotional wreck and need advice because I'm sure we've all been there.  No one understands our jobs.  I'm definitely not trying to say I have it *so bad and worse than anyone*  because I think we all have it exactly the same.  What do you do when you get burnt out like this?  Would it be a good idea to just take a *break* from transcription for a while? 


I have been doing this for 3 years and just can't seem to get ahead.  My motivation is there (most of the time) but my line counts just aren't.  Most of the time I am making less than minimum wage.  I struggle through 60 minutes of dictation, only to have a piddly 400 line count after about 8 hours.  My doctors seem to like to spout off partial or wrong company names that people work for (completely irrelevant to the report), activities, job titles, work equipment, street names (of all things), school names (out of state), impossible to find without at least 20-30 minute doctor name searches as much as they can (always mispronouncing or an out-of-state doctor because my accounts are basically on the border between 2 states).  Join the club... I know.   I definitely love transcription and who I work for..but I am just incredibly frustrated at my paychecks along with the amount of time and effort spent on a check amounting to $200 every 2 weeks.  I am always working/at the computer "on call" on my days off...as most of us are. 


I do have a daughter at home who has become VERY demanding (she is not the reason I decided on this career; I have a huge interest in the medical field and didn't want to be a nurse or secretary, anything like that).  She is in preschool, but my work has been coming later and later to the point where I have no choice but to do it while she is home.  Talk about adding to my stress. 


I actually just let it all out last night.  My eyes are all swollen today from bawling last night.  My husband asked *are you done yet* after me only trying to vent my frustrations to him for like 2 minutes (that just set it all off) - and was fed up with me and told me to *just quit because I don't want to work* that phrase skyrockets my blood pressure.  He doesn't get it.  The transcriptionists work is never done and we never get away from our jobs!! 


He is never home due to his job, which he loves and says is a cake walk.  To be honest, that actually makes me jealous and even more irritated.  I just wish he knew for one second what my life was like!  He has a 2 hour commute, gets the GI bill every month, and loves to work overtime and trust me he makes enough for us all to get by smoothly.  Still, EVERYTHING is on me...EVERYTHING...on a constant daily basis.  I have 3 dogs, 3 cats, 3 goats, and a daughter to take care of, along with the house, cooking, and all of the chores that go along with it...which I wouldn't trade for the world, don't get me wrong, I just feel like I don't have the time for anything other than my job and my daughter's attitude is really starting to reflect it and all of my family sees it, just not my husband. 


What gets me is...he and his parents can and are 100% willing to pay SOMEONE ELSE to take care of my daughter and do MY JOB with her...yet, here I am struggling to do a million things at once and only coming out $100 ahead of preschool.  Would they think about paying me?  Lol, I highly doubt it..and in fact when I brought it up to my husband last night, he laughed in my face and called me crazy.  Well, what is so crazy about it?  I taught her everything she knows!!  Yet his parents will still comment on what a great job preschool is doing for her.  It is the pressure from his parents (who both happen to be school teachers) and my husband would never go against their decisions.  Don't get me wrong, I would never expect/want to be paid, lol...it is just a hypothetical situation.  If it is good for someone else, why can't it be good for anyone else?


I think that was actually the start of my frustration..when he started his new job because he got lazy around the house and with our daughter!  When he gets a day off though, you better believe it's a day off!!!  He does whatever he wants with his buddies or whatever, while I sit at home and deal with the same things when he is working.  When he gets home from work, he has the nerve to ask me *what did you do all day* because my paychecks dont REFLECT the amount of time that I am actually in here working my butt off...and neither does the mess of my house. 


Any ideas on what I could tell my husband to help him understand at least partially what I, we all, go through in this field without him basically telling me to shut my mouth because him not listening to me is really getting old. 


 



Burnt out....sm

First of all, you sound like you need a hug, but I couldn't find a smiley for that, so here is a cheers!  


Maybe you just need a change of scene? Would it be possible for you to find an MT job outside of your house in a local clinic or hospital for a few hours a week? You might even be able to make more money doing less hours outside of the house.   


Husbands can be so irritating sometimes.


Burnt out
Hi,
I would send him a copy of this post you made, maybe seeing it in print will wake him up.
Also I have been transcribing for 20 years and have found HEAVEN with this program. Watch the short video at www.teamresult.com and e-mail me if interested, I will then call you.

manzotravel@gmail.com
Burnt out and under appreciated
I can relate. My income is decreasing, my hours are increasing. My son is making more as a security guard at the local casino. I'm so tired at night I can't do anything. I think we all need vacations, if we could afford one.
lol, usually these people are so burnt out (sm)
they are getting hit from every end. i usually pick up my work and skidaddle out of there. you usually meet the in-house employees eyes and they got their claws out. lol
Bare Minerals
Anyone use Bare Minerals makeup?  If so, how do you like it?  I was thinking of trying it.   
bare minerals
I started using Bare Minerals awhile back but they are so expensive. I found a dealer who, with her mother (an RN) make their own mineral products for a fraction the cost of Bare Minerals. The quality is even better than the original. They have been supplying high-end stores for years. You will find the daughter on eBay. Her seller name is snowmandce. You can buy them either in little pots or (what I do) is buy them in baggies and put them in the containers I also buy on ebay from CalBoy who sells the little acrylic pots very inexpensively. Diane snowman dce) will make up any color kit that you want!! All of her colors are on her mother's web site which is Sweetscents.com. Diane sells to many wholesalers. Check this out and read her feedback comments. I know you will be pleased! lynn
Bare Minerals
For those of you who like using the minerals, see my post under Bare Minerals down a page or two.
Bare Minerals
Been using for years and love. Would never use anything else, seriously. I usually get from QVC.com. Their prices are pretty good and often they have specials. Tip--Bisque is the best concealer ever. Highly recommend. I will say it does take a few times applying to get used to it. At first, it seems like you put too much on. You only really need a tiny bit. It lasts forever, too.

QVC for Bare Escentuals
Try QVC.com first.. I believe they sell it a little cheaper.  I love the Rever-upper and their powder makeup is awesome. 
bare minerals
If you ask, Bare Minerals to extend the time for shipment, they will - also you can get only 1 base color, rather than the 2 - I've been buying it through ebay (careful about quantity - lots of 'samples) - & QVC carries it also at about the same price as the company, but shipping is cheaper. good luck
I feel your burnt pain!
I have been feeling this way for years. Sometimes I think I need straps on my chair to keep me in it! My mind wanders and my focus is not there and sometimes I am just down right mad at myself for sticking with something that makes me so miserable for so long. However, there are other opportunities out there to make money. You can do it!! I have some ideas for you, but you need to e-mail me. Keep an open mind and open eyes and something will come along that may help make you feel better. You may need some aloe-vera for that severe burn, though! I will send some prayers your way..keep your chin up, you can do it.
I am in the same boat. I think I am way past burnt out though.
I need serious help! I can't pull it together to save my own butt right now. Sigh.
I did in the past, got burnt out very quickly. sm
It is very difficult to do. I lasted about 5 years working 16 hour days, and by that time I was exhausted, stressed out, and my financial issues never disappeared.

It really is not worth the money to do that to yourself in my humble opinion.
My Grandmother uses Bare Minerals
She is 75 and has never looked better. Her skin glows. It's crazy. That's my next purchase after my other things run out!
Bare Minerals, and I love it. sm
I purchased Bare Minerals from an infomercial. When you're on the phone, they offer you things to add to the basic package. It ended up costing me $160.00, so it is pretty expensive. Plus they enroll you to receive a new set every 2 months or so. Working at home, I don't use enough make where I would go through it that fast, so I cancelled after my first shipment. It is pretty expensive, but I really like the makeup. I've even done my teenage daughter's makeup on special occasions. She has acne, and it really covers well. I just wish there was a way of buying it where it wasn't so expensive.
Burnt popcorn will linger for DAYS!
nm
NOrdstrom's carries Bare Minerals

That is what I am told and keep thinking about checking it out but haven't yet.  I also love it and to be sure as I felt like I could not see a difference, I did one side of my face with it and one with my "old" Clinique make-up and there was a HUGE difference.  So that sold me.  It lasts longer and I think it does work out to be about as much as Clinique or the other ones and it is worth it to me as I get older.  But I did hear it was being sold at Nordstrom's and so that might help with the shipping as that is what adds to it.  


Patti


Bare amount of work for two days. They say the server is down.
Thank goodness I have a PT job or I'd be a mental case. This is not a good time to not be making an income, when the economy is in such a vulnerable state. I have just disconnected my second telephone line. Now, am going to buy a cord of wood to keep warm this winter as I doubt I'll be able to heat the house with natural gas from what they are describing the bills to be like ($800-$1000 per month).
My mom has used MetroGel and also loves Bare Minerals makeup-nm
//
MT dying
I have been working as an MT since 1992.  I started at $7.50 an hour - no incentive - just a flat $7.50 an hour - that company was gobbled up by another bigger company - and the gobbling has continued on.  I went to work for a smaller MTSO and at one point was making $80 an hour transcribing a very easy radiology account that was mainly normal reports - everything was a template and the template was the whole report.  I now make no where near that - and have trouble getting up to $18 or $20 an hour.  I am thinking of going back to school to becomeo a pharmacy tech - besides - it gets depressing working at home all the time and never having interaction with co-workers, etc.  The school is just a thought at the moment.  I definitely would not encourage anyone to go into MTing at this point in the game - not with voice recognition and outsourcing to other countries.
MT Dying profession

I don't agree with you.  I'm betting that MT is good for MAYBE 5 more years.  Maybe.  Thinking they won't perfect VR is only fooling ourselves....they will.  I wouldn't recommend MT to anyone looking to enter the field.  Money better spent on something with a better future but what that would be, I don't know.  Seems everything that can possibly be offshored is being offshored.  Maybe we should move to China   Then we can be sure to have jobs seeing nearly everything in the U.S. comes from there anyway.  Or maybe, the way things are going we had all better learn to like rice, cuz that's probably all we'll be eating before long.


Regarding MT being a dying profession...
I have actually read in numerous places that MT is a job with future opportunity, in light of the baby boomers beginning to get old and sick.  That's going to supply us with a lot of medical reports for a very long time.  As for voice recognition taking over...I'll believe it when I see it.  I know an MR who does VR and I've seen the gobbledegook that it comes up with.  Eventually all these companies will realize that they were sold a bill of goods by these VR vendors, but because they've invested so much in this technology, they're going to stick with it until the bitter end.  Just my opinion of course.    Finally, outsourcing.  I'm  pretty confident that  something will happen that will put the kybosh on sending private medical records off to Calcutta for transcription.   I think that practice will also stop eventually.   I could be totally wrong and maybe I'll have to put away my rose colored glasses, but for now, that's my prediction.
MT Dying Profession
Sad when you work for a company that you thought was great and all of a sudden the work is yanked away and you sit with nothing yet you see the company advertising multiple times. When you look at what many posters say, that seems to be one major problem with this profession. The companies have no loyalty to transcriptionists. The best places to work are small local services, if you can find them. I don't recommend to anyone who asks me that they get into this profession. I used to, but not any more.
MT dying profession
I totally agree, Dano. They have absolutely no loyalty to MTs OR QA for that matter - we are nothing to them. I don't feel like a respected professional who is rewarded for her expertise and hard work anymore; I feel like a factory worker in an assembly line (no disrespect to those who work in factories, BTW)who just has to pump out the work as soon as possible - it's all about numbers to them. That's why in addition to working in this field, which I have been doing for 10 years (and would have quit by now if I could!), I am going back to college to get my degree in dental hygiene. I can't wait to get out of here. Used to make good money - no more. Used to be respected -no more. They only want cheap labor. Anyone looking to get into this profession - don't be fooled by the lies - do something else!
Is transcription really dying?
I have another question for all of you...is transcription really dying out?  I haven't seen that where I'm located, we are pretty much in high demand.   I didn't even go to school and I got a job in-house at our hospital starting at over $13.00 an hour.  But, now that I am reading all of these posts I'm starting to wonder what the chances are of me being able to continue this profession, esspecially since we are thinking of moving to a big city in the near future.  I am really considering going into coding school starting in September so my husband and I will both get our degree at the same time.  I'm just wondering if I should get out while I'm ahead.  Any advice is appreciated.  Thanks!
Not dying, just growing!
First of all, HIPAA does not require EMR for all records by 2009. If that were the case, you would have known about it several years ago, because most physicians do not use EMR and have no plans to use EMR at this point. Most HOSPITALS don't use them, either. Even if they wanted to, there aren't that many viable products they could use!

He may be thinking of other HIPAA requirements which have affected his practice and which he doesn't like. HIPAA did require some privacy and security things which he no doubt found irritating. He now has a need to transmit his claims electronically, which probably annoys him.

I would guess that the concept of paying an MT annoys him, too, so he took it out on you by terrorizing you during your recent visit.

Second, nothing about an EMR means you can't dictate and transcribe.

If you're currently doing only small-office dictation, you might want to expand your capabilities so that you can do hospital acute care. I think that job prospects have been better there since internet-based voice file transfers became possible. There are a lot of jobs available with national services and even with large employers who will let you work from home.




MT is a dying profession??
Hmm...
I don't think it is dying, I think it is changing sm
There will always be a need for a hand typed medical narrative. Having said that, how much need is anyone's guess. FOR NOW, many companies are moving towards at least some VR. I have watched my company ramp it up and now ramp it down again. Why? The quality isn't there and part of that is the MEs who are doing them.

Being an ME usually only appeals to someone who can't actually type the report with any speed and accuracy (not a real MT in my book) or an MT who can longer tolerate the wear and tear on her hands (a real MT). The pay is less, which might not be a problem IF the software didn't require so darn much editing! Either the software needs to be a LOT better or we need to be paid more, if they want to the best quality, so that real MTs are doing the ME thang.

What I see happening, even now, is that companies who will hire a traditional, old-fashioned typing MT want the very best they can get at the best price they can get her. It is and will be increasingly a buyers market for our services. It will edge out any MT who is marginal...in speed, in accuracy, in attitude, in work ethic. That is to say, those of us who can stay glued to our desks and produce 99.5% or better accuracy AND do it with speed, will still be around for quite a while yet. The tolerance that some companies for not showing up on time, not getting your minimums, not producing very good work, is decreasing. I see this as a trend.

Less work? Not for some of us. No work, as in we don't need the chaff of this industry? You bet, and it is happening already.

The truly top-notch MT will always be needed. Do you have any idea how very few of us there are? I have not talked to a company who has more than 1 or 2 of us that they consider the cream of their crop. If you want to stay, look at what you need to improve, be it work ethic, speed, accuracy or scope of knowledge. If you don't, you'll be in one of the first groups out of this business.
Anyone else dying for school to start? (sm)
Grandchildren had been going to the LatchKey summer program, but they closed for the last 2 weeks before school starts to get the schools ready.  So guess what?  You got it.  Memaw is trying to type with children.  I have to totally admire those of you that do this on a regular basis.  My hat is off to you. 
My monitor is slowly dying...sm
I have a Dell computer and monitor, but my monitor appears to be on its last leg.  I'm already looking for its replacement but instead of ordering another Dell, does anyone know of any other brands that are compatible or not compatible with Dell?  I'd really rather not pay the shipping from Dell, but I do remember when I originally purchased the computer my printer was not compatible.  Thanks for your help.
So, if you were dying in the bed and needed a STAT
You wouldn't mind that the person behind the document only cared about the money? You wouldn't care they put a post on this board like "why does anybody do this?"
Patient would feel slapped in the face.
That would be dying you slapped in the face.
I am really shocked and saddened to see who we serve is forgotten for the sake of money. Yes, we have to survive, and we do well. I have 3 jobs, am exhausted, but proud to say I am behind the document to help a very sick child or dying person, or recovering person, or person who was saved from suicide. I guess the idea of self rather than others is prominent around here, but not where I come from. After 27 years in the business I am proud to say I work behind the scenes and give the best I can for the patient, the doc, the nurse, my boss, the patient's family and so forth. After all, I would expect the same for me and my little boy.
Not on my budget. I usually can find something on if I am dying to watch T.V.
(NM)
Call, please. The rest of us are dying to find out something. nm
.
The main problem with this field is it is dying
And there isn't anything that we (as MTs) can do about that.
how did you give up cigarettes, I am dying to quit.
nm
Is medical coding a dying profession like MT?
My income is in the crapper and keeps getting worse and worse. I love working at home, been doing it for over a decade, so looking into something I can do at home. So what about medical coding? Offshore problems? Technology advances pushing out the "real person" coder? Any disadvantages? Worth learning and getting into at this point?
I am feeling so stressed by changes at my company, holidays, friends dying,
not sure where to turn next.  I really feel like I need to dump my whole situation and start from the beginning by doing a job where I am around people during the day instead of the curt phone calls from the office, and not having enough time to even talk or go out of the house to do anything.   Why can't these companies have a little time to just say hello, thanks for a good job, or just something nice once in a while.  Everything in the communication is negative, negative, and more negative.  Team leaders are the pits, too.  It is jusd do more, do more;  they  don't care if you are sick, and it means nothing to them to pile on more stress and more demands so they look good.  They want you to work every day of the week, but they sure do take their days off, don't they. 
Dogs dying from 'miracle drug'. Heads up, doggie owners
Marketed as a miracle drug for man's best friend, Rimadyl is one of the most popular painkillers available for dogs. And it's killing dogs by the thousands.

Vince Sharkey was faced with the decision every pet owner dreads, whether to euthanize his beloved dog King Billy.

Arthritis and deteriorating bones made it too painful for the 8-year-old golden retriever to walk.

His veterinarian recommended putting the dog down.

"He had so much life in him. I said, 'I just can't do that'."

Then Sharkey discovered Rimadyl, a prescription anti-inflammatory drug heavily marketed to owners of older dogs. Sharkey says Rimadyl saved his dog's life.

"Before I had him on the Rimadyl he was not even able to walk. He would drag his back half of his body. The moment we got him on Rimadyl, he was back to being his normal self again.

But Lynne Bradburn tells a very different story.

Her Saint Bernard, Honor, was just 22 months old when he died after taking Rimadyl for a sprained knee.

"He'd been sitting in my lap. And he looked up at me, and he died," Bradburn said.

Honor died after taking just four doses of the drug.

"They tell you it's as safe as aspirin. But it's not. And yes, I'm angry. And I will always be angry," Bradburn said.

The FDA reports some 12,516 complaints about Rimadyl dating back to 1997, including more than 2,300 cases where the dog died or had to be euthanized. The largest number of cases involve liver or kidney failure or internal bleeding.

Rimadyl's manufacturer, Pfizer, maintains the drug is safe, saying some 10 million dogs have taken over a billion doses of the drug, with less than 1 percent of them experiencing any negative side effects.

"There are side effects just as there are benefits with all medicines, with all medical procedures and certainly with Rimadyl. The good news about Rimadyl is that for the overwhelming majority of those 10 million dogs, plus, it has provided safe and effective pain relief," said Pfizer spokesman Robert Fauteux.

But the FDA approved Rimadyl after it was tested on just 549 dogs, raising the question, were the rest of the dogs that took the drug acting as guinea pigs?

Retired veterinarian turned attorney Paul Mabrey says a drug for humans would never be allowed on the market with such a small sample.

In response to continued concerns about the drug, Pfizer sent a letter to veterinarians across the country warning them that some side effects may "occur without warning" and, in rare situations may result in "hospitalization or even death."

Still, veterinarians continue prescribing Rimadyl more than any other drug in its class. But they're careful to warn dog owners looking for a miracle cure.

"There's a lot of people that want the medication not fully aware of everything that's entailed with that but we make sure to do everything we can to educate before they go on the medication," said Dr. Deborah Feltz, a the Elliott Bay Animal Hospital.

It's a warning echoed by those who know first hand what happens when a miracle drug proves imperfect.
Six-Feet Under
I was totally stunned - can't believe it.
Six feet under

I KNOW!!!  We were all sitting there with our mouths about hitting the floor.  We could not believe it.


Please, please, no more on Six Feet Under
It's killing me not to read these posts.  I "Tivo'd" it and haven't watched it tonight.  That's what I look forward to on Monday nights.  What will I ever do when it goes off???
what did you think of the Six Feet Under
It seemed a little rushed at the ending.  I was also expecting to cry or get emotional or get shocked like I usually do.  It was very mundane and the ending was rushed.  Looks like everyone died exactly the same way, except the gay boyfriend.
Six Feet Under...
Quit acting like an ostrich and pull your head out of the sand.  Pick up the paper some time and read it or tune into the news when you can fit it into your busy schedule because it's really important for you to know what's going on in our world today.  Of course, your other alternative is to keep doing what you're doing, with your head stuck firmly in the sand, thinking companies are paying bucco bucks/line rates in today's world economy.
Pes can also mean feet.
Or footlike part.
Six feet under drama
Nate sure left a mess, so far they've bad mouthed the Iraq war, fantasized brother and sister romance (shudders), where else will they go?   Who's going to be a goner in the finale, I feel its coming.  They've set it up where anyone can either off themselves or do something crazy and accidentally die.