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Rural doctor situation...

Posted By: tia on 2006-04-03
In Reply to:

I hate going to the doctors office.  My daughter has had a sore throat for a week and went in to see doctor this morning, sat there for three hours.  We have gone through six different pediatricians/primary doctors in 11 years.  How are they suppose to know if there is something really wrong.   Doctor looked at her (daughter, 17)  throat and asked why she had not had her tonsils out.  Did not ask her history.  She has not had a throat infection in over 10 years.  As a toddler she had frequent throat infections and naturally large tonsils and doctors never once stated they should come out.  Now, she is worried.  She is a vocalist and does not want to that to effect her singing.  Anyway, I'm getting off the subject here.  We went in to see the doctor in clinic to find out he quit Friday and there is an interim doctor (who we've seen in ER and who has filled in for other M.D. in the past and like a lot better than current M.D.  Too bad he is not staying).  Is it that inconvenient for doctors to locate a practice in a rural area? Our area might not have much but we are only 30 minutes away from one medium city and 45 minutes away from a moderate one.  Our little town is now down to one doctor when at one time it had 4-5 family practices.  We have a hospital, but no doctors.  LOL.   


Thanks for letting me vent, but this is really getting riduculous.  The doctor today did inform me that he was trying to recruit either some doctors finishing their residency or maybe some middle aged doctor from the N.O. area that would like to start over.  We have great facilities, just no doctors.




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Rual doctor situation
I worked for an ENT for 16 years and I can tell you that taking the tonsils out will not effect her singing. They do not touch the vocal cords, just remove the tonsils.
I worked for a rural doc. So much fun! :)

We even had a patient in the waiting room one day that brought in a paper bag with baby chickens in it as it was too hot to leave them in the car.  Nobody in the waiting room gave it a second thought.


It was great fun to work there.  They called it a "medical center" but it was in an old house with less than state of the art equipment.  The country folk swore by "Doc" and "Doc" didn't think twice about going out at 3:00 a.m. to make a house call.


He never would have dreamed of asking for a co-pay up front and even let one farmer's wife pay with fresh baked pies.


They sure don't make them like they used to.


P.S.  We still had typewriters back in 1994.  :)


I have the same problem and we are not THAT rural....sm

It is very frustrating to feel so limited in your job choice b/c of something like that.  I have never really had any major problems with my dial-up and have been told by two different techs. that I have excellent connection speed considering it is dial-up.  Frustrating though....


rural hospitals
If this is an extra job I would certainly make it worth my while. I worked at small hosp. for 5 yrs that did not want to work us from home. Kept saying they could not but I knew better. Eventually I went off on my own and have been home since. We had 3 FT. They hired 2 in my place and 1 PT for wknds. I type at night now to catch them up. They still had 1 PT and 4 FT, but I charge them 15 cpl. I clear in 5-8 hours what they all 4 do in 1 day, literally. Still did not want to put me or others at home. Want me to drive 45 miles 1 way to type, after I've pulled my reg. 8. Now what I do, whether they know it or not, I dial up on my C-phone into thier system and type at home, save it to disc (they monitor email + HIPPA) drive over for about an hour and transfer work into thier system. So if they have a phone in line you might check with them about on call stuff being typed at home, especially if this is stat work. It will certainly get back to them quicker. This is just fear of the unknown. This same hosp. has now, instead of firing those not doing work and hiring a good worker or paying them OT will pay me double the amount. They have also moved the weekend girl to FT and are letting a file clerk/PT IC do the weekend x-rays and still want me to help. That's 5 full time typist and 2 PT for a 43 bed hosp. Thier may reason was not to put thier network on home computers, which they all ready do. Won't give me network access but have given it to the weekend girl. Plus they are paying a consultant out the wazoo to tell them why this is not working!

If you are going to be on call, make sure you have set days or hours that you will be on call and that you are compensated. Don't let them just pay you for the work you do. Your time is worth money also. In other words don't sit home all day 3 nights a week waiting for a phone call and get paid for 1 hours. I have done this in the past where I worked and was on call on weekends for x-rays. There might be 1 or 21 or none. I got paid by the hour. If there were none I got paid for 1 hour for showing up. Ask an x-ray tech or someone who gets on call pay. They get a flat rate for being on call and then they get paid for the individual call.
Actually, I live in a rural community sm
and left a hospital where that was very good pay.  Starting wages for MT was $8.00 an hour with a 25 cent raise every year if you were lucky.  $11.50 would be like gold for the transcriptionists that work there.
Just moved to a rural area
Have a satellite dish, no cable.  The phone company out here does not provide ULD.  One job I would like you need ULD, and the other you need internet access, no satellites accepted.  Does anyone have any ideas?  Is there a way you can get even dialup without having to use long distance?
Rural America wages
Last year interviewed for two transcription jobs. Neurology office $13.50, hospital $16.00. (the most I have ever been offered) I was offered the neurology position, but declined and the hospital job was given to someone with less experience, i.e. less $$$, they were hoping to add an addition MT on, but did not. I have over 15 years multispeciality office transcription experience including running my own business for 10+ years. I basically learned on the job, sort of fell into transcribing 20 years ago. I am also a Certified Medical Assistant (silly me, actually went to school for that), I have worked in physicians office over the past 20 years part-time doing medical assisting and transcribing and worked my way up to $11.50/hr. Unfortunately in the office MAs are being replaced by regular high-school graduates, $7.00 per hour, etc, and of course they can do transcription too.. ha ha. Since I live in a rural area the opportunities are limited and each position would require a lengthy commute and with high gas prices that is just crazy, so I decided to go employee with national. Since I get paid by production I can make more $$$ that way overall but the cpl rate is not nearly what it should be, you just keep working harder for the $$$. I would not recommend anyone get into this field by choice as technology will eventually whittle us away to almost nothing. If you want medical, go for the top.. doctor, RN, nurse practitioner, PA, etc. Decent wage and some respect, too.
I give, where in rural Georgia
are you talking about? I think I could put up hearing that more than I can with what I hear out of the Atlanta stations, at least it is not butchering the English language - just maybe their own language like I had mine from moving from Tenn. I understand that nexted above- I have heard that and even worse. I have a daughter-in-law who is parapro right outside of Atlanta (Jonesboro) and supposedly they are not to correct children when they speak incorrectly- she says heck with that and does. Can we say ebonics?
I'm not in a rural area. I'm in a big city and everything is SM
outsourced. My beloved company, run by a very decent man, was bought out by Edix. I thought they were bad until Spheris took them over. God help us.

Then there is the large community hospital, who has a "sweetheart deal" with another outsource company. You would not believe the garbage that goes on in this field.
Regarding unlocked doors, rural or not
My sister once left this true-crime book at my house and I read it, I guess because I wanted to have nightmares for a week.  It was about serial rapists (WHY does she read this stuff?)  Anyway.... one thing I noticed was that almost ALL of these perps walked into people's houses thru their unlocked doors, usually in the middle of the day.  Sure your husband may be right about if someone wants in they'll get it, but just like anyone else, criminals prefer to do things the easy way.  Why help them? 
I'm an IC for a mid south rural hospital...
Although I get paid per minute of dictation, I have done the math and I make 10-11 cents per line.  Patti is right, it doesn't matter per line or per minute.  Its what you make per hour.  I do radiology and the basic four every day with the same dictators with a new one thrown in every now and then and have been doing so for 13 years and make anywhere from $20-35 an hour working average 5-6 hours a day.  Did not ask for a rate increase until my 8th year in which they balked at and began looking elsewhere.  Two years later asked for another rate increase in which they readily agreed to but keep better track of what I do.  Better to start low and become valuable to them than start too high.
IC working for a small rural hospital
I have worked for a small rural hospital as an IC for 9 years, this year I asked for a raise.  Hospital thought about going to a national until they found out how much they charged.  They contract their transcription themselves.
In 1995 I was making 12 cpl for a small, rural

Changes were gradual.  First, we were allowed to start working at home at 12 cpl, instead of the hourly wage.  We still were employees and had the same benefits.  This saved the hospital money in overhead and we were all happy.  Then they started using outsourcing services for holidays and weekends.  Gradually, the whole MT dept was phased out and we had the option of going with the service handling the hospital transcription or finding another job.  The service kept us at this rate of pay for a short time and then gradually started implementing "incentive bonuses" and lowering the line rate of pay.  It evolved over the years to what it is today.  Starting line rates were lower and incentive bonuses done away with.  Health insurance is contingent on production, but their platforms crash regularly (as do many, many others) and we either have to work extra to make up the loss or just eat the financial loss altogether.  The services overhire to make sure that their TAT is met, which means unstable availability of work, which in turn affects production, in turn affecting benefits. 


The logic today behind all the changes is the "lack of experienced MTs in the U.S.", thus the need to hire people outside the country, who have even LESS experience with the English language and slang medical terms, at half the price of hiring American MTs.  The MT field in general has to be able to compete and so must lower their rates to keep clients from going offshore at half price.  And now with the advent of VR, the MTSOs using it try to justify the cut in line rate to the fact that we're no longer "typing", we're "just editing."  It's been a gradual evolution, but not in a positive direction.


And in all of this, AAMT has not come to the aid of the transcriptionist.  It has furthered the promotion of offshoring and has developed ways to enhance the MTs adjustment to VR instead of enhancing the MTs value and amount of worked involved in VR.  When the AAMT doesn't step up for the very ones it says it represents, why would the ones using the services respect, understand, or value the MT either?  


It is pretty rural where I am too, but the sprawl is coming - sm
My friends in the area (been here 8 years now) are people from the old school my kids went to, now a couple parents at the new PS they are going to and my neighbors. I am lucky in that I live on a private road with 14 houses on it. It is our own little world/community and we all get together now and then and have about 2 big parties a year (Daytona and 4th of July). I am close friends with one neighbor. I don't really have a "best" friend here (they are back home where I grew up in PA who I see 3-4 x a year) that I go shopping, etc. with, though Mary and I do things now and then with our kids. See if you can get friendly with your neighbors, good to have a local support system in place if you need it. Maybe a local library or club. Our area is slowly building up, have a supermarket now 5 minutes away versus 30, a local library, 2 dance studios, martial arts, a couple restaurants, Curves, movie store, etc. Try to get involved in some local club or activity, great way to meet people, or voluteer down at your local elementary school 1 day a week or something, they can always use some help. I keep very busy with work, Curves, taking the kids to dance (there are adult classes too), library trips in the summer, etc. I am pretty social though I don't mind being by myself either; so I try to keep a happy medium, but getting out and involved in something is the key to meeting new people. Give it a shot.
Do you think a company pays less for rural pay than city?
Does not make sense to me.
I am am in a rural area with lots of trees - sm
so when I had Bluesky (or what ever the name it) come out they said too many trees for the satellite. My one neighbor just got Directv high speed.....she also has lots of trees. So I may be looking into that (have Directv now just not the internet hookup). But I currently use a Sierra Wireless Aircard 875U. Unlimited and costs me $67 a month. It is through AT&T but I know Verizon has it too, as well as Sprint. You need to make sure it works where you are first though, but their websites can help you there. I love it. Not as fast as DSL but a huge step up from dial-up. I have it set up to use on my desktop, laptop, my backup desktop, and my daughter's computer. The only thing I have with it is it does not work everywhere...when I try to use it on my laptop...unlike the commercial where they show the guy in the middle of Africa or wherever he is. But I have been very happy with it.
I worked in a rural physician's practice for years.
He eventually ended up joining a group.  He still has his office in the same place, but is financially part of that group.  Unless they join some sort of group/organization so that they can get group rates on lab, insurance, etc., it is really hard for them to survive.  The community lost its hospital several years ago.  You said your community has a hospital, but is it a full-service one?  Our next nearest town with a hospital is about 35 minutes away.  Now the 2 hospitals in that town each have satellite physician clinics in our little town.  When I was working for this physician, we had a total of 4 doctors in town.  Now, through these satellite clinics, we have a good number.  Before this physician joined this group he recruited numerous physicians over the years.  Unfortunately, he was not able to assure them enough of a salary and benefits to keep them.  There is simply not enough money coming into these small clinics.  They have to satisfy Medicare and insurance regulations, just like the big clinics.  The recruited physicians all eventually left for greener pastures after being actively recruited by other facilities.  One physician I remember tripled his salary when he left there. 
just some information for MTs in rural areas where high speed is not available

Hi all,


Was just on the Sprint website a little bit ago and checking out wireless cards for my laptop since I will be moving to an area that doesn't even have landline service available yet.  Sprint is now offering a wireless card that is a USB card and apparently will work with both a laptop and a desktop as long as you have an available USB port on your computer.  Might be something to think about


 


Yep, I agree 100%. I live in such a rural area, though, that my neighbors, the natives, think I'm
NUTS cause I keep my dogs in the house, and actually still walk them on a leash in my yard.  We all have about 2 - 5 acres minimum each of woods in our neighborhood, and no real dog laws at all! Dogs run at large 24/7, which is no picnic for me with my dogs on leash, either!  And they ALL keep them outdoors, tied up with the chain and the smelly old dog house.  I think they just look at dogs strictly as deterents? Not sure really, come to think of it! Cause even if they were getting robbed, Fido couldn't get off the 6 foot chain! Oh well!  I used to be sad all the time for the plot of the dogs here, but I can't save them all! Only my guys!
You must live in a metro area because rural areas pay even less per hour.

Of course you can buy a big house for 130,000 in a smaller town and the same amount won't buy you a pot to pee in, in a place like San Diego or the D.C. area.  It's all relative.


Opinions please! I have been asked by a small rural hospital to do their overflow. SM

It is clinic notes that are pretty easy to type.  Some of the work is digital and some is still on tapes.  They want me to come in and pick up tapes, and they want me to print and deliver reports when I pick up the tapes because they don't know much about setting up a remote printer.  I made an introductory offer of 12 cpl for the first month and then 15 cpl if we both feel like continuing to work together.  I felt that since I am going to be out the cost of gas and ink, my offer was more than reasonable.  Well, they countered with a flat 12 cpl period with a one year contract and then we reevaluate at that time.  While I was mulling that over, she called back and asked if I would be interested in doing some radiology for them in addition to the clinic work.  So basically this account will keep me very busy and is not going to be just overflow.


So now I'm back to thinking 15 cpl and because they balking, not offering the introductory rate anymore.


What does everyone think?


Call your doctor - this is not a doctor forum! nm
x
You know the difference between God and a doctor? God doesn't think he's a doctor. nm
X
The phone line has to support DSL signals. Most rural lines don't due to distance from central of
x
I live in a small rural area and they housed some evacuees at a nearby military base
crime went UP in our little community that previously HAD a ~very low~ crime rate. It is a FACT. I'm not saying all NO residents are like that, but MANY seem to be.

My mom was raised in conditions like this poster describes. Mom's parents died when she was 7 (father) and 9 (mother). Her teenage sister (newlywed) raised her and 4 other siblings. They had next to nothing. Not ONE of them turned to a life of crime. Not ONE even graduated high school but they still made good lives for themselves. Life was rough for them, but they didn't blame it on everyone else and cry around about what the president should be doing for them. It is all about RESPONSIBILITY and taking what life throws your way. IMO.
It will. I was in the same situation.
Mom was a total bipolar psycho - one day she loved being my friend and the next day she "didn't want to talk right now".  I haven't seen or spoken to her in 20+ years and the kids drifted apart shortly thereafter.  Good riddance.
sad situation
  I know what you're feeling.  We have a similar situation in our community.  My daughter is friends with the older sister and I graduated with the mom, so she and I went to visit the day after.  I know what you mean about flowers and food.  I am planning to go visit again in a few days and take some soup that she can just put in the freezer and heat up anytime.  I also bought some cards that I am going to send over the next few months just to let the family know we are thinking of them.  It's a very sad situation.  Hope this helps.
Everyone and their situation are different. sm
I had to do that, and it hurt, still does at times, but it was the best thing I ever did for myself. Basically, I had to do it to save myself from her constant criticism and bitter remarks. I know how you feel. Just try it and see how it goes, thats all you can do. If something hurts you that badly, get away from it.
You and I are in the same situation.

My goal is a minimum of $100 per day now.  (My old goal was $50 per day with kids home most of the time.)  I spend a lot of wasted time looking up patient and physician information, and I'd like to be more focused, too!  I tried job searching but I don't have time to do these huge long tests on top of working with the kids still home for summer.  There are some days when I just cruise through and do 200 lines without an Expander on an easy account.  I'm getting better, so I'm not going to dog myself over it.  I look back to what I was producing only six months ago, and I've improved a lot.  The Word Expander helps a lot.  I just wish I could get better and make more money in less time.  LOL  Ah, the elusive dream....


My situation
In my opinion, it is all about how much money you need or want to make. Obviously, working only part-time will bring in much less than money than full-time.

In my personal experience, having done this for 7 years, you most definitely can achieve your goal of becoming a productive and excellent transcriptionist. I have averaged only about 1.5 to 2.5 hours a day for the last 7 years and am satisfied with that. I work on multiple accounts and can type on an average of 300 lines per hour. There is no limit to what you can make! The more you type - the more money you will make - BOTTOM LINE!
I am in the same situation.
Just got a letter about the insurance and quota. I don't think they grasp the concept of no work, no quota.
OK....here's my take on the situation....
It sounds like you're fresh out of school...right? I think 87 lines an hour is not too bad for only three days of work!! This will take some time! You will never become your best because you will get better every single day that you do it!! In other words, in five years, you will STILL be learning and getting better!! Stop beating yourself up! And more importantly, don't give up!!! This is not a job that just anyone off the street can do!! This is a "learn as you go" job! Keep at it!! You WILL improve every day. Good luck and let us know how it's going from time to time!!
Nearly the same situation here

Sorry to hear that you are having a hard time.  I am in almost the exact same situation that you are in, minus the new account.  I am fortunate to be on a great account, but my 10-year-old son does feel sad that I work so much.  My work hours are nearly all during his time off (i.e., after school and on weekends).  It is definitely hard to balance time with him and work.  It doesn't help that my husband works a lot as well.  Oh, and we also have no family in the area


As far as advice goes, I guess the only advice I can give is to be patient with him, although you probably already are.  When I take work breaks, I try and make the time extra special.  And if he needs me while I am working, I try and respond immediately without an unhurried tone, which really helps.  If you act relaxed, they also tend to feel relaxed.  I know it's hard when you are stressed, but try and it may help.  I also emphasize how the "extra money" from mommy's job allows us to take vacations and buy little extras here and there.  He understands the concept of extra cash. 


I guess the best points to remember are:  Be patient, act relaxed, spend quality time together during your breaks, and maybe allow 10-15 minutes before bed to read a story (if you don't already).  Hope this helps a little.


I also have RBS. :-) My situation is the same every day. SM
I am sent 150 minutes of dictation on a list. This is in my Lanier queue and my only challenge is to see how fast I can do it. My goal is 30 dictated minutes per hour.

I use Timestamp.com and keep up with my time every day. I type till I don't feel like it, then I go somewhere else.

I use Shortcuts for Windows and my own version of macros.

I feel that I'm as successful as I can be. If there are other shortcuts to be taken, I've not found them.
same situation here..
My brother did the same thing after my folks died.  I finally figured it out ---- we really love each other, but just don't have a lot in common or have big conversations -- so he invited other people to converse and act as kind of a "comfort buffer" for him.  
What would you do in this situation?
I work for a small MTSO, (this is my second job) always have had plenty of work until the last month or so, have been told it was just "slow" - have a friend who works for another small MTSO in the same state - yesterday she told me that the company I work for has hired them to do some of their work, which I guess explains why we are slow all the time.  More than likely they did this to meet turn around because they were always asking for extra help and now never do, yet I wonder if they are trying to get rid of the higher paid transcriptionists, any suggestions?  Don't know if I should just stay and do what work is there or look for something that has work when I need it, feel betrayed because the company said it was slow and now I know different.  Like I said it is my second job so not totally dependent on the work being there. 
I am truly sorry for your situation....sm

I had nothing when I dumped my ex - no $$ and really not a pot to p*** in.....but I weighed out the pros and cons and my very own sanity won out.  My sanity was more important than possibly ending up homeless (which I did not end up being).  When I left I remember saying *I cannot wait to be divorced from you one year longer than we are married* - I'm away from him now TWO years longer than we were married and am SO happy I made the decision back in '91 to save myself (and my daughter) and become my/our own Hero. 


Best of luck to you...I sure know it is NOT easy.....


They never get it, no one does until your in situation. sm
You have got that right.  Like I mentioned in previous posts, I have quit even arguing with my sibling, and have accepted it.  They will have to answer for it one day, not me.  And the, "I have to work" drives me up the freaking wall -- like I don't.  Even my extended family do no realize I have a real job, they will never get it.
I had the very same situation and this is how I

Stop the invites.  Get on with your own life.  One of the posters suggested getting her alone and talking to her.  Forget it.  She's either too busy or only around at holidays - she's using you because she has no where else to go.  Once you cut her off, maybe she will think twice about being too busy!  - Good luck.  This worked for me.  Now I'm too busy and much happier without the "family-users" who abuse their blood relationship and turn them into guild issues.  Too many people think just because their family they can get away with this stuff and consume you with guilt.  I suffered for many years because of family-related guilt issues.  I'm much happier now since I put my foot down -


what would you do in this situation?

I have a younger sister who is ONLY in touch when she wants to be invited to Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner at my house, to brag about something, or to ask a favor.  The rest of the year she tells me she is *too busy* to be in touch more when I ask her why she does not stay in touch the rest of the year.  I would like to stay in touch and even have her and her husband over for gatherings, but I really feel as if this is all one sided and wonder if I should continue to try.  Any helpful advice would be much appreciated. 


We are in the same situation in VA.
It makes me so mad because that is all the schools teach. SOL....that's all we hear about. The schools push it because that's how they get more money! I don't think it is good for the kids. They may know who invented the cotton gin but they are missing out on learning something special from that "special teacher". Remember those "special teachers" in school who taught you something that wasn't in the textbook!
First of all, I'm so sorry for your situation and wish you the best....sm

Any pt report is open reading for anyone in an office or MT pool situation.  Your report could have gone to any one of them.  She was wrong to tell you ANYTHING and should be in trouble for that, not what she didn't tell you.  I have transcribed reports on close friends, neighbors, even relatives, and I NEVER tell anyone anything.  I even try not to let people know who my clients are so they won't know I might see something they don't want me to see.  I transcribed a report on a close friend of 20 years who had a potentially fatal disease.  I kept quiet about it, and it was a year until she told anyone.  That is just part of the business.  A good MT knows to keep her mouth shut or risk loosing her job and who knows what else.  Again, I am so sorry, and you will be in my prayers.


I have been in this situation
much much better bringing the MT back in-house, but keeping them at home.
tax situation
I am going to be starting a new job as an IC.  I have always been an employee or a statutory employee.  What are the benefits as far as my taxes?  What kind of deductions can I claim now that I could not claim as an employee?  I would appreciate any thoughts on this - I know you cannot be accountants for me - just would like an idea...  TIA.
Well, the way I see your situation is
you can a) either work and make what you need or b) you can babysit. I think that is what you are saying. Seems reasonable to me- just quit working and take care of the girls. Sounds like a coworker of mine- she is going down the drain working at 1 place, not making any money, offered an evening position with another place- does not want to take because she keeps her granddaughters then- makes good sense to me-
I'm sorry about your job situation
I had something similar happen to me a few days ago. The insurance company that I've been doing transcription work for over 7 years emailed me and told me they were going with a service. I really counted on that money. I do have another MT job so I'm not in the same position as you, but it stinks to be out of a job just like that when you least expect it. Good luck.
EXACTLY my same situation to a T (sm)
I'm going back to finish a nursing degree because I have to force myself to transcribe and I'm tired of working 7 days a week, till 11 every night to make $2000 a month.

I took a week off but I'm so ready to do something else!
Same situation...
I wondered how many were really in the same situation as me...looks like quite a few.  I work for three companies--one that is supposed to be full time, one that is about 1/2 time, and one that has always been very part time.  Where I used to be limited only by how many hours I wanted to put in, I am lucky to get 5 of 6 hours of work out of all three now.  I know it isn't their fault, but I get worried. 
Same situation

I had been away from MT for quite a few years myself. I learned in a quick hurry I needed to get more computer literate and to get a word expander.  Not all word Expanders work well with different platforms so make sure you check what is compatible with what you will be using before investing in one.   I did not want to tie up $3000 in a two-year course online so I went to nearby community college with an MT program and just took a couple of the specific classes related to file management, transcription editing, and advanced word processing. 


There is an unpaid internship program you can apply for.  It is called AIM.  I believe it lasts about 90 days, and you get continual feedback from QA.


Good luck with your reentry.


 


 


I was just in the same situation
Make sure that your laptop is compatible with XP before you do anything.  My laptop came with Vista and is less than a year old.  I finally found a job, but the company required XP.  It turns out that my laptop was assembled for Vista, and in order to install XP I had to make my own installation adding special drivers for my laptop.  Even if I did this, the video and sound drivers may not work.  Video and sound are really important!  I am reasonably computer literate, but this installation was a bit over my head, and it may not have worked.  The company I bought the laptop from told me that they may not be able to support me after I did this.  Great!  I figured that it would cost me about $100-200 for XP and $100-200 to pay someone to do the installation.  For that kind of money, it is possible to buy a decent second hand with XP on it.  I ended up buying an off-lease computer from Tiger electronics that has a one-year waranty.  It cost about the same amount of money, but it was faster and at least I got something for my money.
That whole situation just.....
sounds too shady really!  I couldn't work for someone who "forgets" to pay me.  I would tell them I don't "forget" to do the work and I don't expect to forget to get paid or else I will have to find someone else to work for.  That is ridiculously irresponsible of her!