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What a ridiculously negative comment.

Posted By: gn on 2008-08-20
In Reply to: I quit looking, too. It's obvious there aren't ANY jobs - left in MT that are worth applying for. (no/msg)

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I've never made a negative comment about newbies.
I always try to help out whenever I can. It's not easy to work from home. The matchbook schools and scam ads have people believing they can do something that is a bit more complicated than just taking a correspondence course and immediately knowing everything you need to be successful in this career field.

Believe me, I was desperate to work from home, too, because daycare costs were phenomenal. I started out transcribing TV shows for a media company at first. Then I did worker's comp and insurance letters for a small MTSO on the east coast at $.05 per line. They liked my work and transitioned me to clinic SOAP notes. As for working in-house doing transcription, I worked in an office for ONE WEEK before they allowed me to go home. If I can do it, so can you. It may take some searching, but persistence pays off. That's being proactive. Venting here on the boards and accusing people of things they didn't do are being reactive.

$13/hr is ridiculously low. I suspect SM
it's some program where they get you cheaply, sharpen your skills by giving feedback on your work (mentoring) and then turn you loose. Industry standard is around 150 lines per hour. If you did that, that's a little over 8.5 cpl. BUT if you type 175 lines an hour for $13/hr, you are typing for a little under 7.5 cpl. As you get better and more used to the dictators under this "training program," you will actually be working for less money, see?

This whole outsourcing situation is going from bad to ridiculously bad.
Today I had to call HP service and, naturally, I got a dude in India whose name was John! The first time I called his name was Ian. I wanted to say, "Look pal, drop the John/Ian thing, I know your name is probably Rhajib." Needless to say, I could barely understand him, and it got me to thinking about how in the world people who can barely speak English can be taking away our jobs, and not just transcription. It just does not make sense to me. That is like saying the bird is just as good at catching mice as the cats are.

Yeah, the IQ's are as ridiculously high as the make-believe yearly pay we often get quoted on her
If you believe any of this crap you really need to get out more.

Ugh! Negative, negative experience!!
I had an injury this past year that necessitated me purchasing Dragon Professional. Total cost approximately $1000 by the time I purchased the "good" microphone from Knowbrainer. I'm thankful everyday I had the option of using Dragon to get me through my injury but I hope to God that I never have to use it again as it drove me nuts and my production was so low. I averaged four hours a day more in my chair than usual, but were it not for Dragon, I'd have lost all my clients. The program is "iffy" from day to day in its ability to be "accurate." I trained the h out of it but still had problem after problem. If I had to do it over again and use Dragon for a short period of time, I would, but I can't imagine using it long term. Just my experience.

you seem negative
its very frustrating, do you want to receive 20% less in your pay???? are we not allowed to vent on this board.. How come you are so agreeable to lose 20% of your income?

Yeh I have ignored the negative ones
Even though it really surprised me that people would actually post that reaction. There is a heck of a lot more good advice that I have taken in and as for therapy, I need that too. I don't usually open up to people in my life, I write things down, journal things, so coming to a message board seemed like a good idea to me, to get other perspectives. Thanks for the caring response.

Not to be negative but . . .
I think you'd have more luck organizing a media blitz to get Paris Hilton out on early release. :(

negative

Okay, just checking!

You ARE very negative!
You ARE discouraging and very rude when you talk about newbies not knowing enough and old fashioned Mt's "worked for it." What kind of comment is that?! How the heck do you know what they worked for or not if you have never taken those courses?! And, speaking of your "QA" experience, have you EVER trained (honestly) an MTEC or Andrews graduate?! There IS a difference! And weren't you the one that paid $5000 for YOUR "education" 15 years ago?! All these schools charge less now, AND give you more experience than ANY community college out there! Are you saying that your education is better, even if you paid more, learned less, but just because it was at an actual "location" where you could spend more money on gas to get there? Are you kidding me?!

Don't mean to be negative, but even
with your background summarizing 1000s of medical records, have you actually listened to a medical dictation? Summarizing written files is something entirely different than actually sitting down and listening to/transcribing a medical report. It is not as easy as the schools would lead you to believe. I would try legal transcription before getting into this profession.

why are you being so negative? sm
She has found a good job. It may never go to VR. The company I am working for hasn't gone to VR at all and doesn't plan to. Why not be happy for this person. I just don't understand trying to discourage someone.

Wow. Negative much?

There are some of us out there who do enjoy the profession and actually make money at it. Research your school carefully. Most schools will have stats on their grads who get jobs. Find out what percentage it is. Go with your gut. I have heard about those other two that you mentioned, but I didn't go to them, and I ended up with a good job.

Keep in mind, though, that this is not an industry where you will make a lot of money your first year. Even with a paid internship - that just means you're going to get minimum wage to do a lot of work. It'll be good experience, though. I barely broke minimum wage my first year, but I knew going into it that would be the case.

I can tell you that I make significantly more than that now, though. It is still possible.

There is a big difference between being negative
and being realistic. The young woman is a single mother with a 5-week-old infant. I never said she shouldn't become an MT. In fact, in my next post, I told her that it sounded as if she had done her research quite well and had the interest and abilities to do it. I also told her how I managed when my kids were young by working sporadically. FWIW, I was a single parent during part of that time, too, and newbie income as an MT did NOT pay the bills or support the kids. And believe me, I'm no dummy. I had stars in my eyes when I started out because those ads are everywhere telling mothers that they can make $40,000 a year starting out. I wish someone had told me the harsh realities of working at home then. I didn't know we'd have to be chained to our desks for the majority of the nationals. I didn't know how difficult it would be trying to listen to ESLs while the kids were clamoring for attention, but I just had one more little report to finish up. I've seen a lot of people who wasted a lot of money on MT courses only to find out this wasn't their cup of tea. Mothers get sucked into believing that any half-trained monkey can do MT work and care for an infant at the same time. It's not true. It doesn't require a PhD in rocket science, but it's best to find out if you'd like it or not BEFORE spending all that money on training.

Negative Ads about Cynde and Myself.
Thank you for saying that she has paid the outstanding invoices but the negative mark is still there as long as people can read these reports. Not only is it not true but it is a defamation of character on both her and my part. Can anything be done about it.

MTs always negative on these boards? hmm? NM................
zzzz

I don't find it negative at all.
This board is a wonderful board and a great source of information. I don't find it negative in the least. Why in the world would you?

I am considering using VR for my transcribing. Does anyone have any NEGATIVE
comments about using VR? Best program? Like to know what to be prepared for. May be my only hope to continue in transcription due to wrist problems. Thanks.

of negative posters
Geez aren't you just full of encouragement and help! Could you be any more negative??? Glad you're out of the business 2.

I love my job, am not negative about it at all, but I know what you mean
Sometimes this particular board is full of "the sky is falling" doom and gloom.

I don't see that about MT at all - it's always been great for me. I love my job and look forward to working every day.

(And I get paid well for it!)

I think YOUR post is way too negative.
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Have any of you editors ever scored anyone at a negative 27% before?
I went over this several times and I keep getting the same score. I have never had this happen before and am wondering if anyone else has. This is beyond me and I have no clue what to do. Under comments on my score sheet, I just put "I don't even know what to say." Any feedback is appreciated.

Think you need to do more research than the negative answers you are getting.
They have at least 2 platforms, Dictaphone and Merit. Not sure about all this offshoring stuff, but there is more than enough work. The Dictaphone platform is much better than Merit. I am able to use my text Expander or it has a built-in one. You need to do some searching on the company board on the archives, as there are happy MTs working for Medware.

You musta posted something negative
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There are some negative posts about them on a search. nm
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I don't know - I find Kikki very negative myself
don't even bother reading her comments because they are so anti. JMO

Funny, I don't find her negative at all!

the negative posters were being facetious..NM

opinions based on the negative
Then I ask you this...is it right to base your opinion on a large group of peopel based on your experience. We have all had negative experiences. I have had quite a few of my own. I have had experiences with legal and illegal Mexican's. My husband was an engineer at a poulty plant in NC that ran on the hard work of legal and illegal immigrants. He did not agree with hiring illegal workers, he knew it would not change, and he has since moved on. We cannot go around pointing fingers because there is always someone to point the finger back. For example, your father did something wrong, should we hate him, should we suggest he got what he deserved? I would not do that. You also talk about hygiene a alot. In fact....you say they work all day in the hot sun and then do not shower. Is it possible that working ALL DAY IN THE HOT SUN exhausted them. Lets continue this dialog.....again I ask is it right to form opinions of hate based on your own experience, which in a world view is still limited or is it better to dialog with people find out what their experiences are, not just the ones that match yours. We all have negative experiences, but you can chose to forgive and move on and yes even love. I hope you do.

Anyone know of a trial looking for Rh-negative donors?
I heard a commercial on the radio looking to enroll Rh-negative donors for a trial, having something to do with plasma. The kids were being loud and I couldn't catch the whole message but I am interested in learning more about this trial as I am Rh-negative. Any information is appreciated.

once again, you have failed to show me how I am being negative...
Whatever...Obviously, you are too thick-skulled to understand what I am saying...

Venting vs permanently negative

Sure, sometimes we just want to vent. We get it off our chest, get a little validation, then we feel better.

But some folks just don't get over it. There's plenty of them at on-site jobs as well. Complaining becomes a way of life. We've all met them, they search diligently for what's wrong with any and every situation. They are full of dire predictions when anyone else is happy, when anything changes, when they get out of bed in the morning.

On this board, I've seen many people unable to let go once they get it off their chest. They make sure to bash a company they worked for a few years back every time its name comes up. If anyone tries to give them a suggestion to improve a problem, they shoot it down in the nastiest way. These people claim to have tried "everything" and sneer at anyone who keeps trying, and they never admit they are venting for venting's sake.

I think the point the OP was making is valid, because there are many chronic complainers here. They are very unhappy in general, and they refuse to be proactive and try to change all the wrongs they see. Its hard to give them any sympathy when all they want to do is argue and be very hateful to anyone that doesn't agree that everything is awful and nothing can be done about it.

So far HappyMomMT, you are the only negative person in regards to this post. SM
I was just telling her my opinion and my experience. My kids were 11 months apart, two girls. They fought all the time over toys and attention. For anyone to say it is not hard to work an 8-hour shift with two kids at home, that is insane. And what's even more insane is to say that we dont care or love our kids and that we have no motherly instincts. Jesus. I love my kids more than life itself. EVeryone is fine and happy now that they are in day care and get to socialize and not be on their own all the time. Of course I was here to help them with their needs but the fact of the matter is, they had to be left alone for every line I transcribed. And when are transcribing 1200 lines a day, that is a lot of time. I am not a kid-hating MT. And I hardly EVER post on this board.

If I didnt have to work and had my kids home with me I would be a great stay-at-home mom as I do have mothering skills. However, to stay at home and not be able to use those mothering skills because I am tied to a computer, that is not good for the kid.

I am sure there are a lot of MTs who can work around their kids schedules. I am not one of them. Like I said I was just stating my experience to the poster. I do believe that it is best to place the kids in a place where they can be tended to while you work. I will believe that till I die. That is my opinion. Your opinion is obviously differnet but please, and I dont mean to sound mean or nasty, please dont go and accuse people of not caring or loving their children and call them kid-hating MTs. You sound very immature.

Another large MT website that always was pro MQ now has many many negative posts so I think MQ is
not looking too popular and I expect after getting THE phone call a lot more will be unhappy. Well, my resume is out.

I agree-negative comments not needed
I agree as we are MTs at all levels possibly just learning and also have all had those DUH moments where we laugh because we should have known it and just had a "brain fart". Very rude to put someone down (how I took the comment anyways) when I truly believe you have been in their shoes at some point and time. We should help each other and respect each other in this profession.

Wow! Geez! do not listen to any negative posts...
Now I have read the below posts. Please, please do not pay attention to the couple of negative posts. I, and most others here, know, or have a good idea, of how you are feeling and the family dynamics that come into play. I think you are right that your mother will not listen or want to hear what is going on. I like one poster's idea of sending her flowers. I think that is a wonderful idea. Send lots of notes, e-mails, flowers letting her know you care. Just make sure you send them so that SHE gets them and not to be intercepted by the step-father. She may even begin to question what is going on and begin to see the light.

Again, I hope you make that counselor appointment! It is so good to be able to let it all out to someone!

In fact, upon further searching, I see very few negative posts
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There are negative things happening in the MT field that's why
if you've been watching the field evolve over the past 20 years like I have you would know that. If wages were going up, and work was coming FROM other countries, there would be no what-you-call-negativity and what other people call reality. It's the elephant in the living room syndrome. Some people are in denial that there is anything "negative" going on in the MT field, other people prefer to face it head on and discuss it openly. Feel free to skip posts you don't like. Ya know "take what you need and leave the rest."

most used word this week, easy: NEGATIVE. nm
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Hostile and negative or Professional and courteous?
I read a post here where someone wrote they thought the medical field today was hostile and negative. I agree with her because I've been working independently at home for clinics over seven years now and have found this to be the case. I wonder why that is? The doctors and their staff always seem that way, no matter how good a job you do. Guess I get a little tired of feeling like a second class citizen and no matter what I do, it's not enough or appreciated.

Start looking for another position. My intention is not to be negative here; however, I have
experienced an entire, large, radiology department laying off all transcriptionists and keeping 1 editor. This was a large teaching hospital. It may take a little while, but if I were you, I would start putting my feelers out for a new position.

Good luck whatever you decide.

sorry - meant to say and have negative feedback on this board. nm
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Could be...but if the lines of communicaton are not blurred with a negative QA, then you can have a
does that make sense?

yes; a NEGATIVE line count on each of those 10 jobs
because they had the "template" calculation. It COST me to type those 10 jobs and spend that 45 minutes typing.

Caffeine and sugar had negative effect

My experience with trying to remain alert during 3rd shift: I was trying to perk myself up with caffeine and sugar, but also found that I actually became MORE tired as a result. Apparently, there's a biochemical explanation for this, due to the effect of caffeine and sugar on my insulin/blood sugar response. Both caffeine and sugar cause an initial rise in blood sugar, but then a serious slump in blood sugar occurs, causing me to be even more tired than before. So, I gave up the coffee and, after 3 days of withdrawal symptoms with horrendous headaches and fatigue, am having much more success staying awake during 3rd shift. I have also found that a protein drink or snack is a much better solution. Also, I am told that there are stimulants that do not affect the central nervous system as caffeine does, such as guarana, which I have not tried yet.

Also, it took me at least six weeks to adjust my body clock. I figured out that I had to sleep at the same time every day for several hours, at least 7, and couldn't just take a few naps during the day and then expect to stay awake at night.

The only reason I choose to work at night is because the pay is better; otherwise, I wouldn't do it. I look forward to someday having a decent account with a decent pay with a 24-hour turnaround time. I realize this is a fantasy.

Yes, thank you! And thank you for locking out some of the negative messages. What a relief!
xx

Yes, you sure do! We have sold since 1998, I believe. I'll never forget my first negative.
I sold a collectible PEZ angel dispenser. It sold for like $200. I had a hard photo, as in like a photo we developed from Kodak. My husband and I were SO excited, we nearly fainted. We took the thing to a professional packer, can you imagine? Back then, nobody sent packages - know what I mean? Maybe only sweet grandmas and mothers with kids at college! So, we paid nearly $20 to have this professionally packed, shipped it insured for $300, etc. Well, the buyer got it and claimed it was smashed to pieces. UPS investigated, and they are REALLY fair about this stuff - the box was unblemished - perfect condition. Because a UPS rep had packed it, it was packed to perfection and their specs, so they refused to give the guy a refund, and told us that he was a scammer. Back then in the early years of E-Bay, scammers would buy collectibles, get them shipped, and then return a broken/damaged one they had laying around already. Bait and switch! And many buyers got bullied into giving them their $$ back. So this guy went NUTS on us, demanding the $200, which was long gone for groceries! Plus he was lying, and UPS said so!! Well, he left me the most scathing negative. My very first feedback! I cried and cried and cried. Wrote to E-Bay, wrote to the President, wrote to my mother - nobody cared back then and feedback was NEVER removed no matter what. I'll never get over that first negative. Now its a scam - if you get a negative, you basically go to that company that E-Bay owns - not safe harbor - something else - the name escapes me, but they even "guarantee" some sellers. Anyhow, you go to them and basically pay $10 to $20 and your negative gets miraculously "removed"...So, even feedback really isn't reflective of the truth anymore...My husband still sells, but my heart just isn't in it anymore. He uses the $$ he makes for buying more junk to sell! It keeps him amused and out of trouble, and he's happy if he has $20 in his pocket (not much $$ in the MT world anymore!)....

OMG! Don't just change your mind immediately because of a few negative women!
Your first instincts were CORRECT - stay home with your baby! Your baby needs YOU - not some total stranger raising him for the majority of its life. PLEASE don't listen to the negativity. This board is the worst place for that, really. Go to any other MT board and you'll get tons of encouraging words. It makes NO sense that your baby would be better off without you. Think about your words. You have to know in your heart that that's not true. I learned the business and taught myself (horrors on this board as well) when my first child was born, and was transcribing by the time she was 6 months old, again, many days holding her on my lap for a half hour or so. But they take NAPS all the time, especially that young. You work out an easy schedule around the baby, and it DOES work, if you want it to work. Please feel free to email me and I'll answer any questions you may have, or just talk further about all this. The MTs on this board are very hostile - even to anyone new who wants to be an MT. It makes no sense at all - as I thought the purpose of this board was to be mentors for MTs entering the field. But its not that at all. The majority hate new MTs, hate newbie students - oh, they really freak about that - like this job is capable of only being done by THEM, and forget kids - NOT a favorite topic. Very sad, and very shallow. Since time began, the WHOLE BASIS of MTing at home was to be with the kids. Period. How on earth a mother could work home and then ship her kids off to daycare is so beyond me that I can't even begin to figure it out. But, that's the sad majority of our screwed up society today - have kids, and then immediately ship them off at 6 weeks old, to be raised by daycare and then the public school system. Parents and kids pass like ships in the night, but who cares, right?

At least Mom gets to stay comfy at home.

But you are being negative! Your experience sounds horrible, but it wasn't like that
for a lot of us! I didn't have a horrible experience at all. I loved it and found working at home as an MT a breeze. I didn't fork $$ into some bogus school. You make it sound like its the hardest most grueling thing to do, and that is just YOUR experience. You've BTDT in so many things, and even your "name" sounds negative. It doesn't sound like a positive "been there/done that"...Its a negative attitude no matter what its applied to. So its not fair to give your perceived horror struggle. You don't know anything more than 1 sentence about this girl. Why not be open that she could be a whiz at this? A natural? And obviously one can't work for a "horrible national", and do it. But there are tons of companies who would work with her, or any other MT with little ones. Happens all the time, every day. You just have to want to do it and be POSITIVE and find that great job. You're squashing her dream before she finished dreaming it, and that's sad. I'm sorry you had such a tough start, but you're not the majority, and you're not the only single mom either. Why is it okay with you all the negative postings, but the positive ones aren't fair to you, and you have to jump in and give your horror version again.

I hope that this isnt a negative for this new pay plan that they have ASR and transcription all the
same now. I hope not anyway. I keep thinking maybe they are going to lower the base for everyone.