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Thanks. That is encouraging. My biggest concern is

Posted By: Pokey on 2006-06-06
In Reply to: been following it for over 3 years now - mtzone

visiting family at holidays and other times.  Do you bring some of your own food or just pick and choose from what is offered?  Or do you go "off the lifestyle" and then make up for the damage later? 


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That's encouraging.
The double dating was mean. When they disrespect you, they love to let the whole world know.

Glad you were able to meet someone nicer and especially someone secure with himself. Didn't know that existed. ha!

Thanks for your message.
Now THAT'S encouraging
I'm glad I posted and heard some feedback from people who actually feel that MT is still an enjoyable career choice.

Though I do realize that the majority of posts here are not negative in nature, it just seems that those are the ones that stick with me. Just beginning my education, I come here in search of a view of what I can expect, good and bad, but admit I do get discouraged to see the series of "I'm getting out of this" with replies of "right behind you!".

Thanks for your posts, your honesty, and, yes, even your venting.


that's encouraging
that you've had such a good experience. No, i hadn't checked the control panel -- but will. I had to disconnect and go back to old MS clunker to get the day done first....
Encouraging
Thank you so much for the wonderful post and the encouragement to not give up on a profession that I truly love!
I appreciate some of the encouraging
things you said, but the key words you stated are it takes time and experience, which is what I'm not getting by being taken off an account I'm just starting to get familiar with. Again, I have worked this field for 6-7 years and have worked for other MTSOs, and this is a first. As you said, you HAD to get used to it...not that it was right or decent for them to do this, just that you HAD to. Which is where their power lies in treating MTs so abdominably.  Reminds me of the coal miners who HAD to buy from the company's general store. As I said before, if I'm paid hourly I'll do anything you ask, but in this situation they are asking us to LOSE money for THEIR profit.
Thank you so much for such an encouraging note!

I am going through a separation from my husband.  He thinks a sacrifice is giving up going to the local bar when he gets of work, giving up his drunk he has on a daily basis, and just all in all growing up and taking on responsibilities.


 


I have been so down and depressed lately that I have to FORCE myself to work.


 


Thank you for being the angel on my shoulder today!


Thanks for your encouraging words

I'll keep trying. I really hope that something comes of it.  I'm surprise at how many people have had success at it.  With living in Las Vegas and working at home, the chances of meeting someone good are slightly diminished on my own. 


Encouraging post.
I am definitely encouraged by your post and no it isn't easy. I decided to leave twice. The first time I packed my things, and my daughter passed away days later before I could find somewhere for us to go (11 yrs old). The second time I decided to leave, I ended up in the hospital from blood clots in the lung, systems failing, etc., and still recovering. I am now getting strong enough to consider it again. However, not totally there yet but today was just one of those days I felt very annoyed. However, it helps to read about others' success stories.

Continued success to you and thanks for your message.

TY
Such encouraging posts!
Wonderful to read such inspiring posts! Thanks to all!!
Thanks for the encouraging words
Thanks to those who shared words of encouragement. Hopefully, someday I will have gotten over this hump and be able to help others in my current shoes.

P.S. The 90-minute report/getting knocked out of your chair must have been a nightmare! Makes for a good story to share now though. :)
She has been encouraging MTs who are complaining..
such as yourself, to look in the mirror and take some accountability for ourselves...nothing negative about that...
Thank you!....that's very encouraging to hear !
.
Hey, I admire you! I am 50, my DD is in college, and is always encouraging me to go, SM
I just don't know what to study! I am thinking of culinary arts.
Real encouraging there! How did your response help OP at all?
xx
If you have been successful at encouraging your child
My son, almost 19, has wanted to be in law enforcement since he was about 5. Lately, though, his motivation has been waning.  Of course, he has a girlfriend, who incidentally *hates to work*.  We really want him to consider joining the Air Force, get his college and training, finish his tour, and come home to work at the sheriff's department (I know, I'm probably dreaming right...).  If you've been successful at encouraging your child this way, please share your experience and advice. 
A helping hand, sure. Not encouraging MT to
x
Thanks for your concern - sm
All of these possibilities have run through my mind too.

In truth, I think the dad was trying to protect her, given the tragedy they have faced in the last year. At least that is the one possibility that I am hoping. That one can be forgiven as compared to other possibilities.

I can't even imagine what must be going through her head. As a mother, I would want to protect my kids too if they had been hurt as she has.

I did a little internet searching on the story he gave me and did find that the accident and deaths really did happen so I don't doubt that at all. I think it's dad trying to do his best and trying to protect her from further hurting but also trying to do the right thing too.

On my steps this morning I found a little bouquet of flowers. I think they may have been from her. Sure, they were picked from my flower beds but... hey, it's a gesture and looks like a little kid put them together.

Again, I'm holding out for putting the best foot forward and try to be a good neighbor.

Everyone deserves a second chance.

Thanks for your concern - sm
I don't think she's going to be a problem.

When my husband and I divorced, my little angels turned into monsters. They were angry, confused, and scared. This little girl lost her mother and her baby brother. They aren't coming back and it's still pretty fresh.

My kids see their dad every other weekend so they know he's still around.

Just try to put yourself in her shoes at that age. Wow, that's a big thing for such a little girl to handle.

I think her dad is doing his best, has her in counseling, has his sister helping him learn to be Mr. Mom, and just trying to be everything to his daughter.

From what I gathered from my conversation with him the day after the puppy incident, he was absent from the home a lot on business before the accident. Said he had no clue what to do after his wife and son were gone. Said he thought he was a dad before but this whole thing opened his eyes to what he was missing.

The guy has moved across state, lost his wife and son, trying to learn all over again to parent his remaining child, and starting a new career so he can spend more time with his daughter.

I think I'm safe with a 10 year old. I'll be more aware of what is going on when she is around but, she's 10. Still a baby to me.

By the way, they have accepted my invitation to dinner Friday night, all three of them.

It's going to be okay.

After my not so nice divorce (husband is now living with the reason for our divorce) I have learned that I really do have more patience than I thought myself capable of. Dealing with the nasty GF of the husband, the husband's betrayal, the kids anger for the separation and then the divorce, and my inital feeling of failure... I could list a million things but, I'm happy now, my kids are happy, I get along well enough with the ex, civil with his girlfriend, heck, this little bump over the puppy is small taters next to the past few years I have had.

I don't plan on saving the girl. I just feel bad for her and I know that her healing is just beginning. Doesn't help if I encourage my kids to alienate her. Not very nice of me as an adult either. Just because of one incident out of 6 months. No, I think she deserves a little understanding, forgiveness, and patience.
Thanks for your concern. sm
I have been in this business 25+ years and have had my own hospital clients for years. I know what happens when administration changes. I appreciate your concern, but believe me, I will be fine.

Why would some be so worried about another's line rate? If it is true concern, it is quite refreshing to see such caring fellow MTs rather than the bitter bunch usually here.

Thanks again, and best of luck to you.

Good luck to you.
no, I do not. thanks for your concern.--nm
nm
Yes, this is a concern.
Can you say which region of the country you are in?  I have a feeling when this EMR stuff gets rolling, it's really going to impact MT quickly.  My personal physician's group (in Michigan) uses it now for their office notes and has absolutely no need for transcription services. 
"American" Association - yet they are encouraging outsourcing?
x
My group gets encouraging emails and thank you notes
I guess I'm mature enough to read it and if it does not apply to me, ignore it the language in it and use the intent to make sure I am cautious.


Wanting encouraging, up-lifting friends who
make me a bad person.  Sometimes it is better to be a friend who stands firm in believe MT can help herself than to be a bleeding heart that just keeps MT down by agreeing nothing can change, the situation will always be hard and why try to change it.  If I was in a bad place, I would need friends to help me be brave and do what I had to do to change things.
What was the concern regarding Transform??
\
Overhiring is becoming a big concern.
Frequently, we are asked to get off the account we are working on as there is not enough work to go around, but this is sporadic, yet has been happening a lot lately so I suspect overhiring. If this continues, I may have to find another job, which is a shame because they are good person there but that will not pay my bills.
I think your concern is well founded. sm
I am looking to start re-schooling in the next year to get into a profession that cannot be offshored. Globalism is here to stay, and all jobs that can be used to extend corporation control into the global society will do just that. No sense not paying attention to the handwriting on the wall.

If benefits are a concern...
I would just find an job working from home that offers benefits. My job allows me to make money by the line, and also as long as I work full time, I get benefits. As the other poster, I too like being able to work from home and not deal with traffic getting to work, gas, work clothes, eating out, putting children in childcare, etc. It saves me so much money this way.

Also, I have been doing this for six years, and I haven't known any of the doctors personally.
Benefits are a concern. I am currently
working as an IC, and I am sick of the tax stuff - really wondering if I come out ahead to be honest working that way.  I definitely want benefits and have a prospective company interested in hiring me that offers benefits.  I have always known the doctors I have worked for.  I guess it's sort of a new working situation for me not to know the person I am typing for.  I don't know if I would miss that.  Do you find it hard to deal with a company who is across country that you can't just drive to at a moment's notice if you have a problem and can't communicate by phone or email with anyone?
Please take this as intended; as concern
Hair colorants can be quite toxic; you may want to research here. I have no affiliation with this site other than I wish to be an educated consumer and I am concerned about what I put in and on my body. Not trying to be preachy. Good luck to you.

http://www.ewg.org/reports/skindeep2/index.php
I understand your concern....
Sheri would like you guys to know this: When the site goes down and is replaced with old posts, then you will know it has been taken over. Please know she is working to get a new site at mtstars.net and it will be working as soon as possible. I do not work for MTStars and am just a poster but know what cybersquatting is. This is real. Be aware that a person has taken hostage the *domain name* for money (extortion) and if she doesn't comply in 12-24 hours, he will take over the site. This is real!
My concern about newbies getting a job -

In response to a previous post on newbies finding a job - I've been typing for almost 15 years and was lucky enough to "learn the right way" from a great mentor, learning all specialties.  Editing speech rec jobs is relatively easy when you have the background in all specialties like "us old folks".


At least for right now, I believe speech rec is only as good as the experienced Editor behind it to eyeball and correct any errors.  I hate to admit it, but speech rec has made dramatic improvements in its accuracy over the last few years.  It's here to stay, it's improving - and surprisingly, the people I work with really enjoy editing.


My concern though is when the old folks like me in the field retire, and many of us are getting close.  Newbies need the opportunity to get in the door and gain their experience in all specialties to take over as the older folks leave the field.  There needs to be mentors to continue to be available to these newbies to guide them along the way.  There are good schools out there, but to "learn it all" you really need to be actively working in the field on a job that gives the opportunity to learn all specialties.


This is my concern as speech recognition becomes more and more successful.  We will continue to need quality, seasoned transcriptionists to become quality, well rounded editors in the future. 


I've taught completely green people transcription, and I've taken newbies in and guided them along the way.  It is satisfying for me because someone took me green 15 years ago and gave me this opportunity, and for that I am eternally grateful.  Putting 3 kids through college was a lot easier thanks to my full time job and another part time job I had. 


Best of luck to all you newbies out there - if you can get your foot in the door at a local hospital, even working in house to start, its a good place to begin.  Gain all the experience you can.  I'm not sure working for these big shlock houses, the nationwide transcription companies, is the best place to start - it can be frustrating when you're given all the ESL docs and junk work and try to plug through it. 


Good luck newbies - keep on pluggin.  


 


Hear your concern about
the line situation. I use ShortHand and have shortcuts up the kazoo. The only thing Shorthand does for me is save my fingers and hands as I don't see a huge difference in my lines.

In fact since I have gotten really proficient with my macros, my lines in fact have gone down or stayed the same. I thought it was supposed to be a line booster. One can only go so fast and still maintain accuracy and fill in blanks along the way.

Makes ya wonder what is going on with that?
Isn't it refreshing to see some UPLIFTING, ENCOURAGING posts for a change ??
x
The biggest thing I like is---
They are FLEXIBLE.  They don't call you up if you are in the bathroom to see why you aren't working.  As long as you do your work, they don't bother you or restrict you to a strict schedule.  That was a big turn-off for me when I talked with Spheris.
My biggest issue too. (sm)
Not only that, but I finish the part I wanted bolded, return, return, and use a shortcut for the next heading, and it changes that one to bolded. Grrrrr!
biggest complaint
would anyone else say that the biggest complaint as a Transcriptionist would be leg cramps and back pain?  and what suggestions would you give to help?
Does anyone know what the 3 biggest MT companies are? nm
nm
Biggest Com;pany
Spheris may be #1 because they have a huge Indian work force now.
Biggest pitfall of being an IC
is no guarantee you will get paid. See post below about MTSO not paying.
One of my biggest pet peeves, since most of

I can understand that concern. To be honest, I believe
that there will still be lots of opportunity for overtime.

There's going to be a few months of transition and, with any luck, the unhappy MTs will leave and that situation, coupled with constant new accounts coming on board, will generate more work than you're thinking about right now. It will have to be done, period.

There may be some occasions where overtime isn't as readily available but I expect that we will have plenty of times where we have some offer of overtime.

That's my speculation, at least.

yeah, but since capitation, sorry, but how much concern is there
for the patient? Just big business, like Walmart. Push people in, push them out, cut services...

Hospitals now want everything for nothing, and do not want to pay for it, as evidenced by the complete explosion of outsourcing...
Bigger concern is your husband!!
Aside from the fact that your husband's friend is a jerk, what is your husband saying about the fact that he will not give you this female's phone # so you can call her back and let her hear a piece of reality here!! It's as if your hubby is saying this is a game here and it's "okay". Does the fact that this lady called him give him some kind of a charge, a little excitement for him? I would question his ethics first, after all, if he's willing to keep this number from you, what else would he think is none of your business? Sorry, but that's the bigger problem.
my concern with VOIP with a C-phone is
how is the voice quality? I would be interested in something like Vonage as I can take that with me and travel.
Thanks for your concern - no internet newbie here
What personal information? MT Registry only requires an e-mail address to register - no other information is required.
The e-mail address I use for any site can easily be dumped. Anybody buying gmail, hotmail or yahoo addresses is wasting their money.

First we have the conspiracy theorist and now a patronizing man acting like all the little women don't know how to protect themselves on the internet.
I believe you may touch Frank on a personal level if you e-mail him. He is after all encouraging us
to ask him questions and to call him by his first name as did our beloved ex-CEO Gregg.  Try this link.  If Frank is truly our kind of guy, he will answer your personal questions and problems. 
any encouraging words for a newbie with crappy line counts?
Today is my 3rd day of "real" work (not school) and I did 482 lines in 5.5 hours. That averages out to about 87 lines an hour.

How many lines per hour did you average at first? How long did it take to get faster?

I accepted an acute care position to get more experience, but now I'm wondering if I should have gone for a company offering clinic notes accounts ...

Please tell me it gets better!
The biggest pro for me is the TOTAL flexibility...

As long as I get the work done, I can do it when I want to without being chained to my computer. 


Plus, I don't know why you think ICs net 50% less than if they work on an employee basis.  I've worked as both an IC and employee and, although I don't have benefits, I make much more as an IC.


I never understood why NASCAR is the biggest

to watch cars go round and round and round and round for hours, days, weeks, months, years.......I get the gambling side of NASCAR but I don't get that it truly is (and IT TRULY IS!!!) the biggest spectator sport out there.



About $65 a month, but the biggest expense is
You have to purchase the equipment and pay for installation.  The dish weighs about 75 lbs so if you don't want that weight on your roof, you can have it put on a pole in your yard and that's extra.  Plus they charge to bury the line from the pole to your house ($3.25 a foot - I buried it myself).  All total for me, including first month's service over $700.  But, hey, when that's your only option, what do you do?  There may be a company or something where you live that 'rents' the equipment for a small extra monthly fee - that's how we do our satellite TV so we don't pay for repairs.  Satellite internet is not as fast as DSL or cable, but is still much faster than dialup.  Plus, if you're an IC, it's all a tax writeoff.  Hughes Net customer service stinks big-time and if you don't like them taking the monthly charge directly out of your checking account, they charge an extra $5 a month to mail you a bill.  They know you have no other high-speed options and they have you over a barrel - so they stick it to you every way they can.