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

Should I Stay or Should I Go ? - What To Do

Posted: Feb 13, 2013

So, the long and short of it. I have been an IC for the last 15 years. I have typed for orthopods, general practioners, neurologists, dermatologists, and have done 2 years of acute care (both in-house and at home). After transplanting to TX and losing my full-time job in MI, I've been searching for that "perfect" transcription job. I love being an MT .... love the work, the flexibility, etc ... and have been told on many occasion that I am good at what I do and am a fast learner. So here's my dilemma. Where are all the good jobs ? I have been reading some of these boards for a while and it seems there is not enough work and the pay for what work there is available is quite low. I worked for Nuance for 2 weeks (part-time, evenings) and that was going well but had to leave due to personal issues that I had to deal with in Michigan.

So in the interim I've been doing a temp job at a company that my husband works for. It is so totally out of my comfort zone, accounting, spreadsheets, etc. BUT, it is a job and I am getting paid good money. I am working 3 days a week, 6 hours a day right now. They are looking to hire someone permanently (full-time hours) and have asked me to consider it. So this is the real dilemma. Do I forgo what I love completely, being an MT, and work for this company? I am gauranteed time off when my husband takes vacations. Work environment is not too bad. It's just not my thing -

So I am working on making a decision very soon. We want to buy a house this year and the money is a big issue.

So, anyone out there with words of wisdom ? Anyone leave their beloved MT work to go onto other pastures (greener or not). Just looking for some insight ...

THANKS.

Stay or Go? - MTME

[ In Reply To ..]
The so-called profession, being an MT that you love, I can guarantee you, you won't love any longer. I would take the FT position and look around for a PT MT job and see what is exactly out there. If you get lucky and stumble onto a good one, YAY, if not, you have a job and not the pressure of looking for something. There isn't much out there and the going rate is about 7 cpl and so much voice for 3-4 cpl. Could you go back to Nuance, or would you even want to? From what I have read on this board, it is a horrible company. Transcription just isn't what it used to be and don't think it will ever go back to the way it used to be either, which is truly sad.

Go? - What To Do

[ In Reply To ..]
I probably could go back to Nuance. They said when life gets back to normal to let them know. I'm not so sure though, as you said, reading the boards here Nuance is not well received. I didn't see much of the bad b/c I was only there 2 weeks and evenings. I would prefer daytime hours and that's where there seems to be the "no work" issues. I too believe that the work I love is changing so much and transcription isn't what it used to be. I just wish I had the proverbial crystal ball. Thanks for your insight.

It depends...... - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
It depends completely on whether you NEED to make a living or if you just want to work a job to pass your time. As you know, the MT field is declining fast and it is pretty hard to make a decent dollar these days. I definitely wouldn't turn down something else for a crap shoot at whether I get money or not.

Some people are lucky and get to do what they love and get paid well for it. Some people though have to do what makes ends meet the most and then there are those lucky few who are financially stable from other sources and can just do what they love and are not concerned with the pay.

My vote is go, not much left as far as jobs in MT - and editing is worse than accounting! sm

[ In Reply To ..]
Just my 2 cents, and I'm lucky enough to have a straight transcription position at present but at only 7 cents as IC, expected to work shift, QA with constant rule changes, horrible dictators, etc., etc. If Obama does raise minimum wage to $9, I might go work at McDonald's. Less stress and probably end up with more money. I find myself saying several times a day now, "I don't make enough to put up with this nonsense!" It's true, 7-8 cents is going rate if you're lucky enough to find straight transcription, and that sure isn't enough to buy a house... unless you "love" it enough to do it 24/7 (assuming you could even get that much work, that is!)

What about - this suggestion?

[ In Reply To ..]
Here's a thought. Nowadays, companies are hiring more and more people for telecommuting jobs. It can save both you and them money. So... what about proposing to them that you accept the full-time position and work part of your time in the office (maybe one full day a week) and the rest of your time at home. Many hospitals even offer this type of thing for their employees so that they can cover certain shifts, etc. Maybe you can try to convert your salary over to per piece or per project or something; otherwise, just leave it at an hourly rate and agree on a shift that you will work, etc. What can it hurt to try to come up with a plan that works for both the employer and yourself? It just may work out!!

Just my suggestion, take it for what it's worth, but if it were me --- I'd definitely try to keep that job. Also, in addition to that, if you really are trying to save extra money for a house, etc., then you can still work in the evenings for Nuance to save up money for this purchase and just keep reminding yourself that you're doing it for your future. That may help you get through those moments where you want to jump ship again. If not Nuance, then there are plenty of places out there that hire evenings, especially if you like doing editing ????

Good luck to you, whatever you decide.

I would definitely say you are being handed a blessing. - Just me

[ In Reply To ..]
I have lost 2 jobs in the last 6 months due to off -shoring. I was very good at my job. I gave up family time, I sat at my desk for 12+ hours a day. My feet were so swollen I could Barclays get shoes on. I gained weight. I became isolated. It became an issue that I was giving more than I was getting.

The industry is going downhill. After the shock of losing 2 jobs I realize that I was given an out and now was the time to explore other options. I have not missed it for a second. You may be out of your comfort zone now but you may love it later. Being able to take off when your husband is off is a plus.

There is no law saying you have to stay there. Give it a chance and count your blessings that you have the opportunity you do.

My two cents - I would go for it

[ In Reply To ..]
During our lives, doors of opportunity will open up for us every now and then, and this sounds like one of those doors for you.

I love MT too, but I also realize that MT is going downhill fast. A long time ago, when offshoring first started, I suspected that eventually MT pay in the US would continue to creep down until it reached the point that we can barely make a liveable income. And over time, that is exactly what I see happening.

Since your goal is to buy a house this year, and then considering mortgage and all of the expenses that go along with home ownership, I don't think that I would try to rely on MT for that. MT is not only going nowhere fast, it's continuing to go downhill fast.

If an opportunity like this opened up for me, I would take it in a heartbeat!

You should go while it's still YOUR choice. Then you should work - part-time, just a very few hours a week, to

[ In Reply To ..]
keep your MT skills up. Just because. :) Best wishes, Fellow Traveler.

Stay or Go - just a thought

[ In Reply To ..]
MTs are being paid less and less. You will probably make more money in current job and will have holidays off. Also, buying a home seems to be less complicated with a W2 as profit and loss statements etc. are needed with a 1099-MISC.

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