hehe I was able to nurse and type at the same time. It's all a matter of the chair and keyboard
Posted By: you can do it :-) on 2006-03-20
In Reply to: Has anyone breast fed while trying to work at home, can you do this and still work full time? - memt
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Split keyboard mounted on chair arms versus split keyboard on desk
For longtime comfort which is best - split keyboard mounted on chair arms or split keyboard to be used on the desk?
Also, why the preference over split keyboards that come totally apart versus split keyboards that are permanently connected at the top?
I want to revamp my office and there are so many different options. 
Regarding the chair u sit in to type....sm
I have read that just like sitting on an airplane for a long time, where one must get up and walk....that regarding sitting and doing MT work, one should change the height/level of the chair you sit in to work......so that you avoid DVT (deep vein thrombosis).
Hence, I change the height of my chair weekly....that is, if I can remember to change the height. *L* 
what type of chair?
I need a new desk chair. The two we have are horrible - one has terrible back support and the other isn't cushiony enough on the seat anymore. Do most MTs use a chair with arms or without? I've always thought I wouldn't be able to pull up as far to the desk/keyboard if I had a chair with arms, but maybe I'm wrong.
Morency board and Kinesis keyboard along with comfortable chair
Hi, I have been doing transcription for 14 years and about 4 years ago purchased a Kinesis keyboard and Morency arm rest board and they have been a lifesaver. The key to a comfortable chair is one you can adjust the height, back, seat, etc and once you get it comfortable make sure no one changes it ! Some chairs have arm rests if you don't get a Morency board and help out.
No matter what type of business you're in, there does -
come a time when you have to draw the line somewhere. It seems like a no-brainer that if the price for transcription was X amount of dollars with letterhead provided by the client, then it would be X amount MORE with letterhead provided by the service. Still I would imagine she panicked a little, fearing she'd lose the account if she stood her ground about a separate rate for providing the paper. Knowing how expensive paper is, I still have trouble seeing how she could just let it slide in the beginning.
In her position, having allowed him to cheat her for a certain amount of time, what I would do next is give him notice that next month (or next week, or whatever), due to the overhead costs of supplying paper for the account, she could no longer do it at the old price, and then quote the new price.
If she gets 'replaced', she'd have to figure that it was going to happen sooner or later anyway, and if he was that cheap, there were probably other 'surprises' down the pike, as well. So probably good riddance. It might seem like a better deal to keep that account and let the guy keep cheating her like that, but then again, a better account is probably just around the corner. OR --- he could start to take her seriously when she sticks to her guns and says she has to raise her price. She has to make a living, too, right? OR --- he could go with someone else for a while, realize he had a good thing when he was using her service, and come crawling back. At that point, she could probably charge him almost anything she wanted, within reason of course, and he'd gladly pay it.
I had a non-MT, service-type business a number of years ago, and some of my BEST clients were the ones who left in a huff when I had the 'audacity' to raise my prices along with the rise in overhead, only to come back on their hands and knees a few weeks or months later. Some of them became the most generous tippers, too. It was funny how male colleagues of mine in the exact same business were rarely, if ever, questioned when it came to their charges for services rendered. Yet as a female, it was almost expected that if the client tried to get me to provide the same service for less, that I wouldn't stand up for myself and would just accept it because I was a female.
Until there is an equal double-standard to go along with the perception that women's work is worth less than men's, and we can pay half what men pay at the gas pumps and in the grocery stores due to our gender, then we shouldn't have to simply settle for less than they would get for the same job, either. And you just KNOW that if medical transcription had evolved into a 'men's' profession instead of a 'women's' profession, it would most likely be a good, high-paying white-collar job that they would have fought long and hard to prevent from being offshored. We just stood there and allowed the hospitals to reduce it to about the same level as janitorial work, or lower.
If a woman running an independent MT business such as this woman is STILL doesn't want to do things like give clients the bad news when a price hike is in order, why not simply borrow a strong male voice to make those calls? And to have a little spiel on the voicemail system, so that it SOUNDS like the system is owned and run by a man? If the client believed a man owned the business and was making those kinds of decisions, I bet she'd be able to command a higher price for her services all around, not just when supplying the letterhead. Something to think about!
Try leaning back in your chair and typing with your keyboard in your lap. I had terrible neck sm
back and shoulder pain, as well as pain in my elbows and hands from rheumatoid arthritis. I tried this method and have been using it for almost 6 years now with excellent results.
Home is where the heart is....no matter what type of structure!
Some people are so judgemental and know no better!
Don't worry about it, everyone has their own opinions and you can't change that.
Home is where the heart is no matter what structure it is.
It they can't type a grammatically correct sentence, it doesn't matter how many degrees they h
:+
I spend more time out of my chair than in
nm
I type with my keyboard in my lap...
First off, I use an ergonomic keyboard. I just don't think it would work with a regular board, or would have very little benefit. Secondly, I sit in a recliner. Office chairs just don't do it for me, and I have tried several. So, I place my mouse on the armrest of the chair (rather wide armrest), and because it is an optic mouse, I do not need a mousepad. Personally, I sit in a little sleeping back type thing to keep my feet and legs warm, and that has a bit of cushion in my lap, which I do think helps for the correct height of the keyboard.
As far as reclining, you can rig up a support for the pedal so you can push against it with your foot while reclined. I do not do it because it puts me a bit farther away from the screen than I like. I use a laptop (totally wireless) and my desks is a laptop stand that swings over, kind of like a hospital table, but with the recliner made the way it is, the leg of the laptop stand will not go under the chair like it would a bed, so I cannot get it quite as close as I need it while reclined with my feet up.
So, there you have it. It can be done. I do it every day and have no wrist, arm, neck, or back pain. Good luck!!!!
Its all a matter of organization and using your time wisely! I have
3 kids that are pretty wild. I have tried babysitters and they only last a day with my kids, but I am still able to put in a 40 hour week, clean houses for extra cash, do all meals, take care of the house, laundry, etc.
I have a binder with chore lists, schedules, meal menus, etc. It helps a lot.
MTSO needs to pay MTs on time, no matter how small sm
her business is, no matter when (or IF) the MTSO is paid by the client. I would NEVER contract with an MTSO that expected me to wait to be paid until they were paid by their client. Impossible way to do business, very unprofessional.
Just a matter of time...wouldn't want to just be starting out...nm
nm
I NEVER type on a regular keyboard and neither does my son.
have used MS ergo since I quit typing on a typewriter.
Can you type as fast on a laptop keyboard? nm
//
My comfort keyboard does. I type in the neutral, "handshake"
p
Type Matrix keyboard has backspace key in middle- sm
The TypeMatrix keyboard is split down the middle, one split, with backspace keys (two of them) in the middle. It is a vertically aligned keyboard, so if you can imagine each hand has its own keys and therefore its own backspace key. You can see it at www.typematrix.com
I cannot recommend this keyboard enough (no, I don’t work for them)...I have had it for several years and it is amazing...I have reduced the pain and stress in my hands and wrists by 95%....I love it! 
You might try wireless keyboard and mouse--mine by Microsoft made it better to type faster. SM
You might try wireless keyboard and mouse--mine by Microsoft made it better and I was typing faster.
Just keep the wireless "thing" that both the mouse and keyboard transmit to (and the part that is connected to the computer) out in the open, not covered up by papers, books, etc.
I tried to go back to my other keyboard, the one that plugs in, and could hardly type on it. The wireless keyboard was a lot faster and so it is less work.
Hope this helps.
hehe
nm
Gemini. Yes & no (hehe) nm
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Hehe, that made my day...nm
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Date with keyboard on Friday to have time for
My twin granddaughters, the dynamic duo, (17 months) who will be spending the rest of the weekend with Gram and "Aunnie" (my 11-year-old). Can't wait to play and spoil, spoil, spoil!
I probably will be in bed and sound asleep after they leave Sunday at 7:00. :)
Time to type
Where I work it is now 3 minutes of typing for 1 minute of dictation. Will change soon to the AAMT rules (according to our supervisor) which is now 4 minutes for typing for 1 minute of dictation.
Doesn't matter, IF you are not paid an hourly wage, i.e. a set amount no matter - sm
how much or how little you type, say $12.00/hour, you do not get OT. As someone mentioned here, certain jobs are exempt, and as most of us are paid a flat rate of .08 cpl or .09 or .10, whatever it is, that is all we get regardless of how many hours under or over 40 hours we go. If you want OT then go get an in-house job or get a job doing something else.
Good posture? hehe! (sm)
If I followed all the posture instructions I learned in typing school (yes, typing school -- I'm a dinasaur), I would probably have a body orthotic.
Regarding torture (you made me laugh, and thank you for that!): Ergonomics are important, but everyone is different. A comfortable chair and a good keyboard at a comfortable level (mine is in my lap) are probably the most important things in order to be able to stay working for good stints.
You've learned a lot from this board and I didn't read all the posts below me, so I won't elaborate much except to say that, IMO, the main reason MT is not a good field is because voice recognition will eventually replace us. I have about 15 years left and I'm just hoping I can stay in this field in some way until I retire.
If you have the time, patience, stamina, and discipline, you will do well.
We don't get paid for things "normal" jobs pay, i.e., potty breaks, phone calls, taking a deep breath without typing, etc.
Good luck, sweetie, and remember everyone is different. I am happy, but I rarely post. I'd rather make money.
I use a Vista laptop with an external keyboard 100% of the time..sm
I would never buy a desktop again. I travel all over and just bring my laptop, foot pedal and external ergonomic keyboard.
Speaking of down-time, what type of dog does
I am the proud mom of a 6 yr old Sheltand Sheep dog!
Second time around I married somewhat of a dad type. :)
My dad was the kindest, sweetest most patient man that was ever put on Earth. He also was very, very funny.
My first husband was totally opposite, mean, short tempered and had no sense of humor. I spent nearly a decade trying to figure out why he wasn't like my dad as that was my perception of men.
Second time around I came pretty darn close. Maybe not quite as patient, but nice to me and very funny. He bought me a half dozen roses today when I told him I didn't want a thing but for someone to do my dishes. Well guess what? Yup! He did the dishes too!
My mom always used to say, "The problem with you girls is you keep looking for your father and they only made one and he picked me." 
Time it takes to type...
Approximately how long does it take to type, say, 5 minutes of dictation? Or 10, or whatever? Just trying to get a feel for if I'm in the ballpark. Thanks!
Will they let you do a work type at a time?
Or maybe a couple of the specialties at a time?
you obviously can't type and breath at the same time???
nm
I better switch my computer chair for a potty chair. nm
same here but hubby got me a stool to reach the top, hehe..nm
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Keyboard Kelly - Many thanks for taking the time to answer all my questions.
I really do appreciate it.
DixieKaye
Any time I travel and don't have room for my keyboard I use a pillow in my lap or prop
it on the edge of the desk. I find it also takes some of the stress off my wrists and I tend to sit straighter in my chair. Takes a bit getting used to, but if you travel with your own pillows you can use your own and it won't be so bad. You could also go to one of the office warehouse companies like Office Depot and look at their keyboard trays. They may have some that slides or clamps onto a desk that would work for you.
I was going to say to trust yourself and not re-read everything you type, but within the time
it took me to read your post and then go check my mail, I received my monthly QA report and had two errors where I didn't pay attention and put "female" instead of "male". Talk about feeling like a complete airhead! Just goes to show you that you're going to make dumb mistakes no matter how long you've been at this or how much you trust yourself.
it is some type of time clock application..just wondered if anyone used it.
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I had an ESL spell "sheet" for me. Must've had someone type "sh*t" one time.
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I meant bought. Hard to type and listen to the music at the same time.
:
how many lines per day and per hour do most companies expect/want you to type for full time? thanks
lll
I would not; most of the time those type files, although not usually hard medical terms, take lots l
to type and are very difficult as it is hard to hear with background noise, different speakers, usually no macros, etc. I think they are worth more pay, not less. I also get paid by the word at 0.008 and had figured mine to be about 0.09/line as well in the past. stick with where you are.
oops....cant spell today, supposed to be literally, not litterally. I added a T too many. hehe. nm
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I use a MSFT Natural keyboard at home and the laptop keyboard on the road. nm
favorite keyboard over the holidays is called "no keyboard"
nm
If you use a standard keyboard you can buy an old IBM model M keyboard on ebay or clickykeyboards.co
That key printing never wear down because the letters are part of the key itself. They just don't make them that way anymore because it is too expensive to make. Some of the mechanical keyboards like Cherry have what they double shot key imprinting and the letters are part of the key itself and don't wear off. That IBM keyboard is very noisy from the type of keyswitch it has so you may not like that. Logitech and Belkin make some membrane switch keyboards that are supposed to have longer lasting key imprints. I have a logitech that has the longer lasting key imprints and it is pretty good. You have to look on the specs to find out if has the longer lasting key printing.
I have experimented so much with keyboards and have done a lot of research. Way too much info.
I use a laptop with a full-size keyboard (no separate keyboard)
I'm using a lap desk but previously was using a pillow with a book on it under the laptop. No additional keyboard though, I bought one with a full-sized board with regular size keys (an HP) which I LOVE and it took no time at all to get used to it. I also love that when the weather improves, I can take my computer outside and get some fresh air! What a great job... :)
Actually, I was never a nurse.
However, I was a certified lifeguard (among other things) before I got into MT. I do well enough at it that I quit my fulltime federal job to stay home with my kids. They fly around the house while I type.
<img src=http://www.mopspace.com/flying%20monkey.jpg">
I was a nurse and became an MT...
without attending a formal MT school, however, I had a mentor who was a small MTSO. She gave me the tapes (the 80s) and I muddled my way through it. But it was not office notes, it was hospital work. Big big difference. And, it took me 2 yrs to be up to snuff with all the accents, dictation styles, and vast range of hospital reports. It was by no means a "snap."
Does this look like Ask-A-Nurse? These are MTs here, and
lots of them aren't even good at that, let alone doing triage over the Internet for your son.
I have a nurse
that says "just put" before every sentence...I've considered typing "just put" LOL.
I also have another doctor that says "At the present time" every other sentence.
Oh and then there is one that likes to be cute and say 78-year-young patient
but the most annoying thing to me of all are the doctors that dictate half a report and then start over at some random spot for absolutely no reason but say everything differently so you have to retype the whole freaking report!
If they could hear the garbage we make into nice pretty finished documents they would definitely pay more! I guarantee they don't ever listen back and see what they are saying!
Oh one more...
the doc i'm typing right now leaves words out. "Attempted (to) contact Dr. SoandSo (he) could not (be) reached."
*sigh*
how old is too old to become a nurse...sm
I have been contemplating my life and was thinking about going back to school to become a nurse, but I will be 48 this year and I was wondering at what point a person is getting too old to go into nursing due to the physical strains. Just curious. 
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