have to agree with your assessment of what nursing really is...
Posted By: MTtoRN2! on 2006-02-01
In Reply to: The average starting nurse only makes something like 33K. I didn't have my own - MT
I'm in my junior year of a BSN program, on my second clinical and in the hospital I see nurses working really hard to get all their ducks in a row and pass meds. Not too much therapeutic communication, just keeping those ducks in a row...I already decided a long time ago that acute care wasn't my cup of tea. I went back to school just to get a Bachelor's and felt nursing was the only thing that made sense because of my healthcare experience (paramedic, medical assistant, MT). I then thought about going into the physician assistant program but where I live, it would be a daily 1.5 hour commute for 27 months. I still have a 4th grader and 8th grader so didn't feel I could pull that off. However, at the university I attend, there is a nurse practitioner program. 5 more semesters, classes are scheduled back to back with some saturdays to allow people to work at the same time. Can go part time if you want. If I go full time, there is a grant that will pay for my tuition (nursing shortage, you know). Most of the job postings ask for NP/PA so it looks like I would be in the same job market anyway. Last week in the Chicago Tribune I saw an ad for an NP to work in a physician's office, $75,000 plus benefits. Some practices will let you be a partner, or you can even have your own (supervised) practice in some states...which will become more of the norm, I think.
I've already worked in a physician's office so I have an idea of the work load....that's where I'm heading. After having the autonomy of a paramedic working in the field, I know that suits me just fine.  I can go to school longer, but then have 9-5 hours and look at sore throats instead of bed pans 
Complete Discussion Below:  marks the location of current message within thread
The messages you are viewing
are archived/old.
To view latest messages and participate in discussions, select
the boards given in left menu
Other related messages found in our database
same way in nursing - men in nursing make more on average than women in nursing and quickly
move into management. Just what we needed.
I honestly have to agree; even after a nursing degree, with tons of biology, ....sm
anatomy, epidemiology, physiology, chemistry, etc., it all comes down to intricate knowlege of the human body, in all specialties and subspecialities, along with excellent grammar/punctuation, BOS, great listening/interpretive skills, computer/peripheral skills....there is really so much to this career that I really get more than annoyed when referred to a "medical typist." We need constantly changing, growing, intimate knowledge of the human body, pharmacology, psychiatry, surgical specialties, special procedures, and how many of us, as the doctor is stumbling over his dictation or cutting himself off have to KNOW what the doc SHOULD BE dictating at a certain point during a quadruple bypass or salpingo-oophorectomy? I think you may do very well with oral surgery/dentistry, and even some maxillofacial surgery/plastic surgery, but in-depth understanding and knowledge, along with all the tech troubleshooting, listening skills, constant vigilance in editing, etc., comes with a comprehensive and up-to-date program, continuing education, and lots of hard work and mentoring. The AAMT modules, in addition to my own courses, helped me out tremendously in Surgery, General Med, and Radiology/Diagnostic Imaging. Good Luck!
Gack! Is nursing your idea or his? Nursing is highly demanding and long hours.
I'd check with a college counselor/advisor on programs they have for women over 30 to return to academia and enter new careers. Then I'd ask to take some career tests to see what your interests are and what you'd be be suited for. Also, there is scholarship money available for women over 30. Ask about it.
Since I've already raised my kids, I'd also like to state that jr. high and high school are the years our kids need us at home the most. Those are the years they can get into the most trouble if left to themselves. If he's already 9, why not just enter college part-time to finish in about 6 to 7 years? But definitely go talk to a college counselor.
cmt self-assessment sm
This is not clear to me. Is there a self-assessment test one can take free of charge or are we talking the actual test itself? Thanks for your help. Would like to assess myself without formally testing.
Has anyone ever had their tax assessment jump 50%
because they have chosen to work at home doing IC medical transcription? This may not be why, my DH is down to the TA office right now to find out why they jumped it this much. That's enough that we could have added 2 rooms to our house. DH thinks they may be doing this with the assessments locally so that in a few years they can raise the tax rate and say, "Well we haven't raised taxes in x years." It's a load of bull either way, so wondered if anyone else has had this happen to them. Thanks.
That's a little bit of a harsh assessment, IMO.
I'm no prima donna, either, but I think anybody with a clerical background would be surprised to get an offer for dishwashing, to say the least. I would have been shocked. Not insulted, just extremely surprised to be offered such a different position than the one I was qualified for.
When I entered the workforce 20 years ago, I actually tried for a job like that and didn't get it; they said with what college I had, I was overqualified! I didn't care, I just wanted to work; but they wouldn't talk to me. The scenario the OP describes is so different from my experiences that I too would be shocked if it happened to me.
I disagree with your assessment. The reputation of MQ
CEOs and managers is only poor because of their ethics from the get go. Maybe you aren't aware of their past reputation. Many of us knew it would finally catch up with them in the form of lawsuits. It's taken a decade, but now it's here.
love and responsibility are sure left out of your assessment.
x
Subjectve, Objective, Assessment, Plan. nm
n
You did a completely accurate assessment of the situation.
with experienced MT's offered 7-9, you are correct, a newbie is only worth 4 cpl. I see no reason to hire and train a newbie if I can get an experienced person to fill the same slot, unless the newbie is willing to offer me more profit for my time. You have made a wise assessment. Business is business. It doesn't matter how much you are "worth" or what you "demand." It matters what the competition is. By the way, if you don't take this job, what are your other offers? Unless you have something better, I would take it. At least you are earning experience and in 2 years you will be more marketable, even if you are only earning 4 cpl now. Or sit home, twiddle your thumbs and earn 0 cpl.
It's a format, Subjective, Objective, Assessment and Plan. - nm
x
I use ASS for Assessment, and wimp for Impression for one hosp that starts with a "w".
xx
I use ASS for Assessment, and WIMP for Impression for one hosp that starts with a "w".
xx
HELP!! Need help on WORD BOARD ASAP s/l topo or topol for fetal assessment--thanks!
:0)
or maybe nursing? lol. j/k nm
nm
Nursing to MT?
Has anyone gone from being a nurse to being an MT or know someone who has? Someone asked me about it and I am not sure what to tell them.
Thanks.
I'm looking into nursing as well...sm.
Already have the basic A&P, terminology, medications and proper doses and welcome the chance to try a hands on job now. Plus a recent confidence boost gave me the kick I needed to finally make a decision. Good luck in whatever you decide.
Nursing...........
My brother in law has 3 degrees (in medicine), is 51 years old, and is in nursing school..
Niece is 30 and just finished up nursing school, as did her fiance, who is 33.
Never too late if that's why ya wanna do!! Good luck to you!!!
nursing..
How about medical research as an RN? That sounds good to me.
Nursing is your problem
Nursing, well there is your problem. I have interviewed and tested many nurses who wanted to change careers to MT and not one of them could do it. Nursing is way different than MT. Nursing terms and medical terms are different.
Way more notches than I will ever see, LOL..whew..well, guess I better just step back, hun..dont want to mess with a super-super-duper-duper MT.
When I looked into nursing ...
When I looked into nursing, you had to get at least your LPN or RN training at a real school where you could get the hands-on training. The part you could do on-line would be the more advanced book parts, like getting your BS or masters.
Does anyone know if Nursing Homes have MTs? Thanks.
Nursing Homes
I used to work for a clinic consisting of 6 doctors and they dictated their nursing home visits along the rest of their dictation once a week. Good luck:)
Nursing school
I am a RN. I went to school with a lady in her 50's. She did just fine. I taught aid classes for a while and always encouraged my students to get LVN first then go for RN so you are on the right track. Besides, RN just do alot of paperwork.
I am in nursing school right now...
to get a BSN. I've been in the health care field, including paramedic, medical assistant, etc., and doing MT off and on throughout the past 25 years. However, seeing the handwriting on the wall re: the future of MT, I decided not to wait until I didn't have a job to try to find one. I own an MTSO, so I make plenty of money now, probably more than I would make as an RN, but I'm not stupid-- that's only going to last another 5 years...so in the meantime I'm in school! I am in a four year program, it was extremely competitive to get in (1000 applicants, took 70). If you didn't have a GPA of 3.5 you didn't get it. So you will have to take that into consideration. There are long waiting lists at all schools though If you go to a community college 2 year program probably the grades won't be such an issue. You will also have to take plenty of prerequesites, which will keep you busy for 1-2 years. The good news is hopefully your MT job will be flexible enough so you can work around a changing school schedule, plus it's not like you have to drive somewhere to work. With your experience in medical records, you will be very strong in charting and every one in your class, including your teachers, will ask you how to spell words. You will at least be familiar with drugs and their uses, i.e. Aricept is for Alzheimer's.
Although it will be very difficult, know that at least you have a future ahead of you that can't be outsourced to India. My friend just finished the same program 2 years ago and she is working 32 hours per week, 3-11 shift at the community hospital and making over $50K plus benefits. That ought to help you get through school!
I am in nursing school too...sm
I had an associate of science degree from community college, but then had to take some more prerequisites, including developmental psychology, nutrition and organic chem. I am going for a BSN initially. It took me 2 semesters to get my pre-req's done, then my program is 5 semesters (no summer school). However, I would caution you-- the admit to nursing programs can be quite competitive esp at university level. We had 1000 applicants and they only took 70. If you didn't have a 3.5 GPA, you didn't get it. In addition, nursing school is GRUELING. They only have a full time program. I asked about part time and they said, if you don't want to go full time, get out of the way because 933 other people want your spot. Although all my classmates are straight A students (which you would have to be to get in), some are even failing classes -- that's how hard it is. Not only do you have to attend class, you have to write papers and do a whole bunch of other work outside the classroom. I study all day when I am not in school. My husband does all the cooking and we just skip cleaning for now (LOL). I will be going on for my master's straight out of the BSN class because I already have medical experience (was a medical assistant for years and also a paramedic). So good luck to you and email me if you have any more questions...
Transcription to Nursing
My mom went to nursing school after a divorce when she was in her early 50s. She was afraid she was too old; I pointed out to her that she was going to continue to age whether or not she got her degree. She had quite a good career but retired to take care of her (new) husband when he became ill. She's in her late 60s, and hospitals are offering her incentives to come out of retirement.
Transcription to Nursing
Steph, I had the same questions you did. I am 43 and returned to school this past January to pursue a career in nursing. I posted on the nursing board, check there to see the answers I got. I have decided that it is never too late to do what you really want to. You are only going to live once. I too worried about the future of MT. I decided that if the profession did continue for another 20 years or so that I needed to work, the direction things were going were not for me. I won't kid you, going to school is harder when you are older. The memory is not what it used to be. However, I guarantee you that you will have a better attitude and better study habits because of your age, and your experience in transcription will give you an edge over other students. You will be amazed at how much you really know because of your transcribing. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.
Where are the nursing forums?
I cant find them :(
rethink nursing
Went from MT to nurse in the 90s only back to MT because made more as MT. Hopefully for you sake things have changed. Wasted a lot of time getting my RN (plus got hepatits from a splash). Not tryng to discourage you - you're young - go for it.
Why I didn't go into nursing!
..
Nursing Notes
I have been having an awful time getting straight with my company whether to use parenthesis for (Please see nursing notes.) etc. I get corrected back and forth whether the word "see" has to be involved or if "per" is enough or even just (Nursing notes.) because it is implied to look there. (No matter how I do it, eventually someone says it should be done the other way.)
To top it off, now someone else has totally not answered that part of the question but has said it has to be more specific, such as (See nursing notes dated 02/12/2008.) That, see nursing notes is too vague, so not to used ( ). I switched to doing it that way, and got corrected again!!
I end up feeling like a pain in the butt because I keep trying to get an answer, but I get so stressed out by constantly being told by a different QA person to do it a different way.
Anyone else with an issue like this? And, how do you all handle this particular issue? 
re nursing notes and QA
That's really the pits. My suggestion would be to document all of these ridiculous inconsistencies. Another idea might be a source such as this board. While I don't know who you work for, another thing that may be worth your time is to inquire to find out if other MTs are getting this mess as well. Geez, nothing like feeling like a human yoyo!
nursing notes and QA
When I was told by QA to do it one way and the next QA a different way, I copied the e-mail and sent it to the other QA and the QA manager, and asked them point blank, which way is correct. So from then on they asked everyone to save their messages from QA to make sure everyone was working on the same page so to speak, and that stopped that, because they were told do it this way. Because, found out different QA people have been taught one way and the next QA person the other. They all have to get on the same page, choose one way or the other and not stress anyone out. Hope this will stop for you.
Benefits of MT over Nursing
Nursing requires a commute and some type of wardrobe, not to mention the physical requirements of the job. Nursing work also involves quite a lot of facility politics right in your face.
Nursing is more lucrative
I still do both and will say that you have the potential to make a lot more money as an RN. I prefer doing MT but can't come close to the salary I earn as a nurse, unfortunately. If money is your goal, I think your husband has the right idea.
I was thinking of nursing too. What
is a good online school?
Well of course it's possible but only if you've had training in MT, not just nursing!! nm
Does this hospital have a training course for nursing?
I would really give it some thought. If the hospital has a training program, you might want to look into that and see what's involved. Working the graveyard might give you a little time to study while working.
Does this hospital have a training course for nursing?
No, they don't, at least not that I am aware of. They have tuition reimbursement. Also they do offer training for some high demand jobs and also some of the related hospitals (I'm not sure if they are one of them) will offer to pay your tuition for nursing if you agree to work for them when you graduate for two years.
I am hoping that if I do take this job I could get my foot in the door and when I finally do finish nursing school I could work for them. I don't know for sure if they hire new grads but it might be worth a shot. I'm still taking prereqs and the college has a 2-3 year wait for the nursing program so I have plenty of time. I just don't want to make a mistake by taking a job I'm not sure of when I have a pretty flexible MT job at home. Decisions, decisions.....
Has anyone ever done an online nursing program or know of anyone that has? nm
/
Nursing has created their own shortage
by severely restricting the availability of classes for students and refusing to make the class time available in the evenings, weekends, etc.
They also created their own shortage by making so many of the jobs papershuffling jobs rather than hands on care, and many of those jobs could easily be filled by a trained technician rather than an RN.
I do not feel sorry for nurses.
question about nursing/transcribing
Do you mean that you actually were able to nurse the baby while typing? Or, did you take a break to nurse and then go back to work?
I'm only asking because I once talked to a lady who was an MT and was nursing her toddler and she had rigged up a set up to where she could continue to work and the child would just stand next to her (on a chair I believe?) and nurse while she continued to work. I don't know...It just kind of grossed me out thinking about it. But, I am all for breastfeeding and of course love MT, so I guess if you can make it work, more power to ya. 
Mine is a Director of Nursing
He makes way more than me, but the flexibility of my job makes it possible for him to do his job.
We are both nurses and met while on the job. He is 20 years older than me. 
Had a 108-year-old lady while LPN in nursing
home.
Does anyone think 41 is too old to go to nursing school to become a LPN? I love MT, but have
an interest in helping people. Money is not the issue at all. I would love to be involved and help in the medical world, but I am worried about my age?
I don't thinking nursing is a lot better. BTDT.
I make as much as a lot of RNs (and more than some) in my part of the country (Southeast) and don't have to deal with doctors who come in ranting and raving about something that wasn't done (even though no order was ever written for it) and about some blood test that was done (even though the lab is responsible), et cetera. It might work for you, but I would think long and hard about that field. Best wishes in whatever you choose.
Surgical nursing books.
http://www.alibris.com/search/books/subject/Surgical%20nursing
Try this link :)
MT is usually for medicine. Nursing is a different discipline.
X
If you want to go back to school for nursing, go for it -
I'm doing it too. I discovered there is quite a chunk of money out there for grants, loans, scholarships, et cetera for nursing students.
I can't keep sitting back and watching my income slide off in giant chunks with every new change in the platform and editing.
Once upon a time, I was making almost 30.00 per hour on average and now I'm lucky if I get 20.00 per hour. BIG difference.
Looking into nursing. I figure you can't outsource the..sm
people you take care of. I did billing for a hospital before I got into transcription. At this point I don't think it would pay enough for most of us, it was considered an entry level position where I worked. I don't know if that has changed or not.
|
