I quit doing that years ago. It has never been worth it to me. SM
Posted By: Becky on 2005-08-08
In Reply to: I know this has been discussed before but how long does it take to relisten to reports that you have - MT
I think, though, that one reason is this. I worked for 15 years on a hospital platform that had NO spellcheck, NO NOTHING. I had to learn to proof as I went along. It gave me the terrible habit of backspacing when I make an error - something I've not yet learned how to avoid - I'd really like to type and have the spellchecker catch the errors because I think I'd be more productive, but it's turned into kind of like a facial tic, something involuntary!
I would never relisten to anything - unless it's something that gave me trouble while I was doing it - and when that happens, I leave blanks, go back to the first and listen.
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I quit once for 3 years, but then started again. (Quit cold turkey when I did)
I have 13 years' worth here and sm
I will say that mastery of this craft does bring a certain pleasure in the job. For me, challenges are few and far between when it comes to terminology, my favorite part of this job. My challenge at the moment is a difficult ESL who is a cardiothoracic surgeon. The other cardio queens will not touch him, so he is all mine. Lovely.
When it comes to OP notes, which is something I did everyday until recently (was made a cardio queen) I did love it. I felt competent, capable and I loved how I had my Expander so well tuned. Yes, I enjoyed it a great deal. Right now, not so much.
You have to know, even when you get to where you are more comfortable and have that certain level of mastery you will still have days when this is just a job and not a very pleasant one. It is the nature of being human, I think.
quit 4 years ago
I tried unsuccessfully to quit about 10 times, but I wasn't really mentally ready to quit. I was smoking 1 pack to 1-1/2 packs per day when my now husband told me he wanted me to quit smoking. That was all the motivation I needed. I quit cold turkey. When I first quit, I carried around ink pens and pencils and held them just like a cigarette to keep my hand busy, and I kept lots of Lifesavers and gum with me at all times. I set aside the money that I was used to spending on cigarettes and instead used it for a vacation. I'm just like a little kid--the reward system works pretty well for me, so I just set little rewards along the way for myself so that I would stay smoke-free. Even now, I stay away from situations where I will be tempted to smoke because I still have cravings. Quitting is hard to do, but you can do it! Just focus on your specific reason for wanting to quit, and you will get there. Good luck!
I quit them years ago when they came out with ....
the TWS system. Prior to that I made a LOAD of money, very good pay. I'm talking the mid 90s. Then came TWS which was develope with one purpose in mind (I am convinced).... to rip the MT off as far as line count goes. That's the only reason they EVER come up with new software or platforms IMHO, to make more money for them and less for you. I had to leave. I couldn't abide by it.
Quit for 1.5 years and was....sm
Gained 30 lbs., BP went up, retained fluids, blah, blah. Smoked for so many years, I'm just not sure it's worth it. I know that sounds foolish but feel the damage is done anyway. Why be miserable???
Have over 25 years worth of experience and do you think
I made more because of all the years? Better think again. My salary now for straight typing is 8 cents a line. Most of the companies are not willing to pay us like we made in the past. I am not upset about this for myself but I know others are not as fortunate in that they have to raise families on less and less.
I quit for several years and started again.....
I'm a moron. I hate it and I hide it from my kids. It stinks.
I quit in 1997...almost 10 years!!!--sm
I quit with the help of a subliminal tape which advertised being able to quit in three days with the aid of the tape and diet. I quit in one day and never looked back. I cannot seem to find that product any longer (dang!) but wish I could. I wish my mother would quit too. she returned to smoking after not having smoked for five years, the very day my dad died...he was not even cold yet and she had a cigarette in her hand! He had kept her from smoking because she had had a stroke prior and he wanted her to live. He died from esophageal cancer complications. I detest the smell...it makes me ill...and I can't stand being around people who do smoke because they smell like an ashtray too, as well as their clothes, hair, house, and car. it is gross. no offense to those who do, I just don't want to be around it. good luck to those who want to quit! by the way, nicotine is addicting, but it is not that chemical that keeps you going back...it is the other *drugs* they put in it to KEEP you addicted...almost like heroine. cigarette junkies. no one will control my life and death that way! JMO.
Quit 10 years ago because I ended up in the
hospital with an asthma attack. If you have asthma, you will not smoke. The way I did it was very short term use of the patch and 13 months of a low dose of Paxil. It kept me from having panic attacks from not having a cigarette. You probably know that there is more nicotine in all brands now than there was ten years ago.
I just quit this morning after 1.5 years...
... at the pay you mention. But it was a good education. Good luck!
It will be so worth it. After seven years at home, I pull in $100/day sm
just working around naps and early mornings before the kids get up. I could probably do more if I wanted to at night after DH gets home, but $100 is my goal and I can usually reach that in three hours. It's easy, go for it!
15 years worth of hearing loss
I have experienced this also, mostly in my left ear. Almost daily I get doctors that are speaking so quietly that I have to blast my sound - then someone in the background laughs or drops something. Too bad they aren't on the other end of the headphones.
I quit 2-1/2 years ago cold turkey
after smoking about 40 years. It was one of the hardest things that I ever did. To this day, I still want to smoke. I am really relating to feeling like you lost your best friend because that was the same thing that I said! I wish you well because it is hard to stick to it. One thing I did want to tell you is that you can get support from the American Lung Association (or was it the American Cancer Society). Anyway, they have people who can counsel with you, send you literature, can possibly hook you up with a local support group, plus they follow up with you to see how you are doing. The more I think about it, I think I contacted the American Cancer Society 1-800-227-2345 or www.cancer.org. Good luck! If I could quit, anybody can!
I too gained (30 pounds) when I quit 2 years ago. sm
What worked for me is the CORE weight watchers plan (no counting of points). It is amazing how much you can eat and feel satisfied. It is really not a diet but more a way of eating healthy. It isn't Atkins or South Beach, as you get to eat carbs such as ww pasta, potato, brown rice etc. It is very healthy and satisfying. The weight just fell off of me 2 to 3 pounds per week. I decided I couldn't see my self 'dieting' or counting points for the rest of my life, but I could live with eating healthy. This plan is the BEST I ever tried, and believe me, I tried them all. Good luck with losing the weight. It is great that you are smoke-free now.
I quit within 24 hours and again after 8 weeks in my nearly 25 years in the biz (nm)
dd
I did child abuse reports for 2+ years then quit.
I did a report on one kid, just learning to walk, who had the little feet stomped on by mom's significant other. That was the beginning of the end for me with that job. Of course mom kept significant other and lost the kid.
I had to get up and walk away and go back to it.
I honestly do not know HOW you got through your report.
I've tried to quit 6 times in the past 6 years but
always went back to it. The longest I've quit was 3 weeks. My mom died from COPD and she had smoked from age 16. She really enjoyed smoking and although we kept trying, couldn't get her to quit until she was on 24 hour oxygen. She told me if she couldn't enjoy anything in life (smoking), why live. She died 3 months later.
I started smoking at 13...you know, the "try it, you'll like it" phase. We both tried to quit when I was 19 but we only lasted a day. There was only cold turkey then.
I've tried the patch (3 weeks off cigarettes), cold turkey, herbal meds, hynosis (only lasted 5 hours), you name it. I've used all the suggestions possible to no avail.
With a cigarette dangling from my mouth, I told my boys never to start smoking because they'd never be able to quit easily. Two took my advice, one didn't. He also tried to quit smoking but failed. He was on Wellbutrin for it.
My husband started smoking at 8 while working in a coal mine. He quit cold turkey 19 years ago. He was smoking almost 4 packs a day and one day he got so disgusted with it, he just threw them out the window of the car. Never touched one since and smoke from other people doesn't bother him.
He told me you really have to have the willpower and just get disgusted enough to quit. There's no other way. I guess I just don't have that willpower.
I am worth that...not home course training or ESL..takes years to achieve
x
Quit after 2 years. If I wanted to work 8 hours a day, I would have stayed in the hospital. Seemed
to be working all day long just to make a decent living. Although, I wanted to be home with my kids until the baby was at least 5, had to breakdown and return to working outside the home, to make ends meet. Just to stressfull trying to make a good living with the rates they are paying now.
After years of sitting in "cheap" chairs, I bought an Aeron chair and it was worth it!!
.
Guess that means my husband is doomed....quit 15+ years ago (46 now)--GF had lung cancer
so either cancer will get him (his dad had bladder cancer, doing fine now but it did recur and lost his kidney about 10 months ago)...figure either cancer or cirrhosis will get him (drinks 8-12 "light" beers a day...for over 20+ years). So can you say semi-young widow?? (39). Naw....he will probably live forever, which is good.....lots of longevity in his family despite the cancer. Good.
I quit too after 10 years. Loved Healthscribe, can't make ends meet with Spheris. NM
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.
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 NOT quit MT yet! & dont quit looking.Try her
x
58, AHP/self-taught, trained at hospital 5 years, now with 2 of my own accounts for 10 years, employ
Also worn out 2 keyboards in 4 years. I will never retire. DH will come home some day from work and I'll be slumped over my keyboard. I put in 14 hours a day 7 days a week.
Pack years = packs smoked per day x years of smoking - sm
25 pack-years = 25 years of 1 pack a day, or 12-1/2 years of 2 packs a day.
I don't think pack-years applies to someone who smokes only cigars. But I don't know for sure.
I worked for Cbay for 3 years. I was also part of their lay off back many years ago. sm
Even though I got stuck in a lay off era, I still love the company. They paid well then. The people were nice (exception of 1 person) and if I had the opportunity I would go back again. Fortunately (or unfortunately - depending on how u look at it), I have a great paying job right now, so I am not looking for a change. I do know that at one time, they asked management to accept late paychecks, but never sure of the reason why. My check was never late.
A job worth doing is worth doing well ...
If you do not want to do your best, get another job.
But that is what I would do - worth the $.30
nm
what are your worth?
To do business at this rate, the hospital would have to be contracting the jobs themselve. Most hospitals I am aware of, go through a service, which has overhead. So to that 7 cents you have to add pay for management, building, utilites and all the other costs of doing business. The services I work for charge anywhere from 11 to 13 cpl, so it really isn't any cheaper to go through a service or have your own accts from the hospital point of view.
And is it worth the $189?
It sounds quite interesting, but that's a lot of money to shell out for an expander. Do you find your production is a lot higher compared with regular word expanders?
For what it's worth...SM
I did say that in my opinion, drinking on the job, regardless of amount, was unprofessional and somewhat irresponsible. (I stated MY opinion of the SITUATION, not directed at anyone in particular.) I think most employers would agree with me on that one. You obviously do not. This topic has been discussed and removed several times now - if you don't like the "unpleasant" posts, why keep bringing it up? Do you need the validation from complete strangers?
Don't post the topic if you're not prepared to deal with multiple viewpoints. Simple as that.
Worth it?
YES! An ergonomic keyboard does take a couple of days to get used to, but I doubled my typing speed after those couple of days and do not get "tired" hands as quickly. I would strongly recommend getting one!:)
Yes, it is worth it! sm
We have VPI (Veterinary Pet Insurance--should be on the web) and it's great. You can pay monthly or all at once. It doesn't help much with the little bumps and bruises, but our boxer had a major ACL repair done and it saved us tons of money. She's worth it!
for what its worth
your marital relationship is the most important relationship in your life- its who you chose - you din't choose your parents, siblings or kids- everyone deserves to be valued and respected in that most important relationship- if you are being repeatedly hurt by your spouse or you are hurting your spouse -after you are aware that behavior is causing pain, no matter what it is - then you are not valuing your relationship or being valued in that relationship... Either way, you need to do something about it- get counselling at the least
Not worth it!
In my opinion, it would be better to wait for something that pays a little more. At 6 cpl you are going to work your butt off. I mean, if you think about it that's what the people in India are getting paid, either 5.5 cpl or 6 cpl. I think American MTs are worth more, much more, but that's just my opinion. If your current job is not too, too bad where you can't wait it out, I would say look around and give it a little more time. Gook luck!!
Is being an MT really worth it?
I've been doing it for about 10.5 years and have interacted with a number of fellow MTs. One thing I notice is that very few of the wonderful MTs I've known have been WITHOUT depression, anxiety, and/or panic disorders.
Is it possible that sitting in front of a CRT doing the same thing all day every day in complete physical isolation isn't healthy?
There are lots of reasons I want out of this business. There's one. Have a good day :)
worth it
You are right about being isolated. Right now I have my 3-year-old at home with me, but in a couple of years, it is going to be me and the cat until the kids come home. I'm not really worried about it though. I know a few moms and other MTs can call if I get lonely.
As for the depression and axiety, I had before coming into this profession. You just have to take every day as it comes and enjoy the sunshine when its there.
Very worth it
I bought mine of ebay about 7 years ago for around $700 new and love it. It is well worth the money as it will never wear out.
I tried it. It is only worth it if you -
want to read about how wonderful it is that they are now training and credentialling overseas MTs. That is the truth. If you don't believe me, you can waste your money on it.
Not worth it
I didn't quit smoking with Wellbutrin, but used the generic nicotine gum 4 mg then 2 mg, which tasted awful, but stopped the waves of rage from quitting smoking. Wellbutrin made me giddy for a few hours, then I crashed almost instantly and would become solemn and depressed, which made me want to smoke. Does anyone know why there is a drop off like that? Is that normal with these types of drugs? I don't take anything in the way of medications unless I am deathly ill.
Yes, well worth it (SM)
It was definitely worth the $15K, but after years of trying all the other fertility treatments and having them *fail* (total of all of those was probably $10 to 15K as well) it was just such a risk. I knew if it worked it would be worth every dime and then some, but if it failed it would only send me into a deeper depression. Not a good thing. Thank goodness for happy endings. Make that thank GOD!
I'm so glad to hear other success stories. No one knows the agony of infertility unless they have walked in our shoes :-(
Thanks for the post.
Would it be worth it?
Hi everyone. Been reading your postings and thought you could help. I presently work in a clinic but have been mulling the idea of working from home. Would it be reasonable to assume I could make at least $9.00 an hour working from home (realizing I would get paid by cpl) Should I quit my job and go for it?
Thanks
Here is my exp for what it's worth: SM
I used to do what you do....I felt like I had a lot to offer, never had a problem getting a job that paid a good wage, great insurance, great vacation.
I got into MT as a fluke and for the 1st 5 years I made a ton of money and worked at home. Along the way, I became less desirable as an administrative assistant--had been out of the field for too long, I think.
When the MT pay started going down and I found I had to work 12-14 hours a day to make less than what I was making in the beginning, I really have tried to get an admin. asst. job again, but I am losing the job to people who have been employed right along the way while I was here at home.
Stay with this job--ride it out. You are likely to have to work 12 hours a day or more to get your lines in and keep your benefits if you come home to work.
What you are worth
I don't believe it is true that MT is a bad field or a declining field. It is a great field and anyone who is capable of going through the education and gaining experience will find it is well worth it. Negative attitudes make every job unappealing.
Get the training and check out the companies. I have been an MT for 17 years and have always made no less than 50,000 a year. I only work 8 hours a day, no weekends. I love the job.
Is it worth it?
I posted a message yesterday on the New MT board. I haven't seen a response. Can anyone give me advice?
I am disabled and need to train in a new profession. After some reading and researching, I wonder if I should learn MT.
With so many jobs going to India, Philipines, etc is there really work (and I mean work that will pay me enough money to more than survive) in the US?
With Dragon, is it easier for non English speaking persons to transcribe? I am really nervous. I can't waste time and money learning something that is no longer offered here.Is it worth it?
I apologize for the redundancy. I am new to posting, and this is my third try.
I think it is worth it.
I think it would be worth pursuing MT and coding both, to increase your career worth.
You'll have to learn ESLs and speech recognition software to keep up with the MT side of it.
Email if you want. I'd be happy to talk more about it.
Is it worth it to become CMT?
Hi - I have been a Transcriptionist for 9 years and have considered testing to be a CMT but I want to know if it really matters? I'd welcome any opinions either way.
Thanks!
You are worth more than 8 cpl
I can understand your frustration. If you do not think that 8 or 9 cpl is worth it to not have to put up all that it takes to have these accounts on your own and not through the MTSO then you obviously have never had your own accounts. Now I have, and I know what it takes, and it takes a lot more than sitting down and typing the report knowing your anatomy. When you have your own account, you have to do it all as far as keeping records, interacting with the office staff, technical issues. When you accept the 8-9 cpl from the MTSO, that's all you are expected to do is type. When you are making the 17 cpl, there is a lot more to it. Have you had to beg the physicians for your paycheck or play sweety nice to their office manager just to get your money? I'd say probably not. Now, if you do not like the 8-9 cpl, then open your own MTSO and you can charge more, but let me tell you something, you are going to be responsible for a heck of a lot more than typing that report and knowing your anatomy.
What's it worth to ya'?
NM
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