A community of 30,000 US Transcriptionist serving Medical Transcription Industry

Hang MT as a dying profession. I'm going to be MA. - SM

Posted: Oct 30, 2012

At least MA skills can be used for other things and can be a stepping stone to other careers, and you can get a da** job almost anywhere. Sick of being sold down the river by hospitals whose administration doesn't have the stones to tell you they're getting rid of you, but throw out vague hints now and expect you to catch on, so 2 years later they can say "well we told you to look into further education..." My hospital can kiss my posterior. I'm a very darn good MT and they know it. I'll get an education and take it elsewhere, then tell them exactly why I quit, that I have no more faith or trust in the dept managers, nor the administration of XXX Hospital and Clinics.

The gettin aint as good as it use to be, but it's not dying. - still around, just different thats all.

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nm

Different as in treated like crap for slave wages and only a few crap companies to choose from. Nu - any more, thanks. nm

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nm

It isn't even ballparking what it used to be. I used to make - $25 an hour for years! I make minimum wage now.

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x

ballparking - lbb

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You are so right! I used to make $37.50/hr and I make minimum wage. To the person who said it isn't dying just different, wonder when she will realize what is going on. People who do not see it's dying must be blind.

I am going to be an MA also.... - woo hoo

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I just cant stomach this job anymore.

Some advice from an MA - long time CMA

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I would definitely go for an RN instead. MA salaries suck. You do the same job an RN does in the office and make a quarter of the salary. I started out as an MA, that is where I learned to do transcription. I have an AA degree in Medical Assisting and you are trained to do everything in the office from answering phones to assisting in minor surgery. Have just gotten back into clinical MA and still having to do transcription to supplement the salary. I really wished I had gotten my RN when I was in college and not my MA but went to college in the early 80s and MA was the up and coming field, so I stupidly went that route and is now one of my biggest regrets. If I had my RN, I would be able to go on now to a CRNP or PA and make so much more money actually doing what I love. I used to work with a CRNP who really wanted me to go back to school, as she said with my knowledge and abilities, I would make an excellent CRNP but because my kids were so little and my husband and I divorcing, I just could not see a way to do it and really regret that too! Set your sites higher than an MA if you want some financial security. Good luck in whatever you choose.

Very good advice, thank you for posting. - Practical Nursing is also a 1-year diploma. SM

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I wanted mostly the medical clerical type of thing with better job security and availability than MT. If MA and PN both are a 1-year course, may as well go for LPN and be done with it. Husband is working on his degree now, so we shall both be ready to go in about 2 years. He will be able to open a business and/or work in a shop, and I'll be able to get into a clinic or facility almost anywhere.

nursing - tired MT

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I too am wanting out of MT. I used to average $30 an hour until '06. It's so frustrating, got laid off last month. Company merged with a larger one who outsources to India. Then we lost a huge account and see ya. I also refuse to do SR. I have money to make. So I am seriously considering becoming an RN. However, I am 45 and wonder if maybe I am too old. I am in shape though but still.

Heck NO you aren't too old! :) - alwaysgoforthegold

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I really believe you are never too old to learn anything new, especially if it is something you will love and if it is helping people. If I had a "math" brain I would go for RN. I just turned 41 this year and I am currently in school for coding, but my husband and I have been talking and I "might" go to school for LPN, but I have a queasy stomach, and, of course, the "math" brain I don't have. But I would really love working with babies and children. I say go for it! You're never to old to go for your dreams! Good luck to you! :)

nursing - tired MT

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Yes lovely Math. Just thinking about Algebra again makes me cringe! I did well in Math though but my brain isn't what it used to be! My daughter suggested becoming an LPN first so I am working in 14-15 months. However, from what I am reading nursing school is difficult, and I am not sure I could pull it off working at the same time. Plus why go to school for 15 months for LPN when you can be an RN in 5 quarters. Thank you so much for the encouragement!

RN may not be the way to go either. I am currently - me

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in school to become a CNA. In my state it is now a requirement to take the classes before moving on to nursing school. My instructors both are BSN, who started as CNAs. One instructor said she was getting into teaching because the RN's job is no longer safe. There are different levels of CNAs and each level has more responsibility, so that the CNA is giving the majority of the care and you need less RNs. There is such a need for CNAs that my school has a class starting every 3 weeks. It is a 3-month course and if you do well in class you're pretty much assured of getting a job. Pay isn't great (9.50-13.00), but is about the same as what a lot of MTs are making now, and at least you get decent benefits. The hospital requires 6 months of experience, but once you get your foot in the door there then there are lots of opportunities. That is why I took the course. With having to apply through the internet you're lucky to even get an interview, so having to try another route to get your foot in the door to prove yourself is quite a challenge. Where I live the hospital system is made up of about 6 hospitals and they require all new hires to be BSN, or they may hire RN based on a commitment to get their BSN within 2 years of hire.

Oh wow! We now live in OK because of a job transfer and - tired MT

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to be near our daughter. She worked as a CNA at a local hospital before becoming an EMT and she said they are so desperate for nurses they hire without a BSN. All they care about is if you passed your NECLEX. When you go to the hospitalÃ¢ï¿½ï¿½s website there are always at least 10-15 sometimes 20 or more nurse want ads with a lot of them being no experience necessary. I could have my ASN degree in 4 quarters w/ prereqs or 5 quarters w/o. Both schools, (Oklahoma State Univ and the local community college), have ASN programs with a 91% NECLEX pass rate which is extremely good.

On becoming a CNA, the hospital she worked at has an excellent program where you are actually pre-hired and they place you in the area of the hospital you desire to specialize in, (they try their best I should say). I want to do ICU or surgery. I believe CNA is a good way to go if you are not 100% sure you want to be a nurse. I am going that route to get my feet wet first. I am not interested in being on the med-surg floor though long term. It is extremely stressful; at least it is here with the insane nursing shortage. The things she dealt with were just too much and the RNs donÃ¢ï¿½ï¿½t do anything yet are paid $35+ an hour or more obviously because of the education. She was making $12 and doing all the dirty work. So for me being a CNA is not what I am looking for. I mean if my husband were to pass away God forbid how can you live on that wage?

Anyway, MT is no longer a good career IMHO. It worked very well for me while raising my girls especially when part of that time I was single and my youngest got very ill. Now that they are grown, itÃ¢ï¿½ï¿½s time to get out in the world. I was always such a confident person but now I am struggling, maybe because my brain isnÃ¢ï¿½ï¿½t as sharp as it was? LOL!

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