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

Anyone ever regret leaving MT field? - ???

Posted: Jul 31, 2013

To any former MT who has left the field: Have you ever regretted it and wished to come back or did come back? I've been an MT only 5 years and I feel stuck in which career path to go down. Done the whole pros and cons list of WAH versus outside work. I'm thinking that MT is not something I will be able to do until retirement 30 years from now. IDK if it's just a bad day/week for me or if I'm fickle and jump from job to job (longest job at one place was 4 years non MT). Like I said, only been MTing 5 years, now at my 2nd MTSO. I like what I do but I don't. I know of some people at my company who came back (don't know why they left, how long they were out, or why they came back). I like the medical field and patient care but didn't want RN. I originally wanted x-ray tech or the like but was told back in 2005 there was no market for it (too many grads for too few spots) so I chose MT. But now being in it for a few years I'm debating if it is worth all the stuff that comes with it. My former school doesn't even offer MT as a field anymore. What does that say? BTW, I'm in WI. My MTSO starts with an "A." I've heard this is one of the best MTSOs compared to alot out there so I feel lucky in that aspect but MT in general is just...I don't know, ya know?

No, no, no, no, NO NO NO - wheres_my_job

[ In Reply To ..]
You ask if we've ever regretted leaving...my answer is no, a million times no. MY LIFE IS SO MUCH BETTER - and financially, things still aren't that great, they are pretty bad!

But I just take it a day at a time - and NO STRESS FROM VR, listening to people you can BARELY UNDERSTAND ALL DAY LONG - you can't imagine till that isn't in your life anymore...how WONDERFUL IT IS TO GET YOUR EARS BACK!!!!!!!!

To get your life back, interact with real people.

No, I don't regret it AT ALL.

By the way, "A" in Wisconsin - THE PITS, LOW PAY, too many accounts, the basic story of MT misery. Oppressive, wage slavery in the form of medical transcription. My advice is to get out of MT now, don't waste time. Just get out.
Anyway, that is my advice.

TY...sm - ???

[ In Reply To ..]
After I posted this, I thought duh wait if anyone left MT and isn't an MT anymore they probably aren't on MTstars. LOL

One of the things I do worry about is with Obamacare and all that stuff changing next year, what if I stay in MT and then 2-3 years down the line I get the boot ("downsizing") and then I'll be 40 and looking for a job. I'm lucky enough to have a spouse with a FT job as well. No kids. But I do have a mortgage, dog, bills, and one FT income will not cut it even if we live w/o cable and eat Ramen. Thank you for your response.

My job before MT was in a chiro office making $14/hr. Loved it. Just couldn't hack the hour drive to work and back anymore, especially in winter. Regret leaving there. Since I started in MT, I applied anywhere within my city limits to make a living (my 1st MTSO SUCKED!!!). I'm at $11-12/hr now which is okay and so working outside the home for anything less than $12/hr just won't work with all the extra expense. Plus I need the insurance (hubby's job has no benefits so I carry us). I guess the only thing holding me back is fear of the unknown and leaving my dog home alone all day. She's the only thing keeping me sane being home all day by myself. Anyway, lots to think about...mostly MT's future.

Thanks again!

not yet but when I do - this is THE LAST place I would frequent. - anon NM

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[][]

Right...me neither - ???

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nm

I only drop by occasionally to catch up on - Not looking back

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frequent posters I came to "know" here...to see what they ended up doing with themselves and how they are.

Like one of the other posters on this thread, I'm not doing any better financially either, as I started my own business and still not breaking even; but I am nonetheless 10 times happier than I was doing MT. My husband even commented on it last week, that I seem much happier and more energetic and optimistic. Added bonus...getting out and moving around has helped me drop almost 40 pounds. I know the income will be there once I get my processes down and business built up. Struggling a bit in the meantime on just husband's retirement, but was struggling anyway on the MT pay.

I do...and I'm back too! - Mscuedawg

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I was laid off from my MT job in 2010 around the same time my husband's job was being transferred across country so when we got here...I thought "Hmmm...it will be nice to interact with people and get paid." The grass is always greener...interacting with a bunch of back-biting, back-stabbing, drama filled females? No thanks. Finally made the plunge to work from home again. No gas money, lunch money, and clothing allowance. I may not make a million, but I love doing what I do.

TY for that...that's what I'm afraid of. n/m - ???

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n/m

: - Long Time MT-NY

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I do every single day. I even went back to school, got a job in an office making $17 hour but I hate it and now I'm stuck my husband took retirement when a big Fortune 500 company went into bankruptcy and now they've taken our health benefits away. I would have to say I love my boss but the structure, the boredom, the backstabbing, the a**kissing, I can't stand it Was MTing the best in recent years-no but I could pretty much work when I went, throw in a load of laundry, sleep in or work late, work more if I needed extra momeym run errands. I wish I could find a halfway decent MT job Id come home in a heartbeat. Actually that's why I'm here today to see what's on the job board!.

Grass is ALWAYS greener, and I detest the backstabbers, too... - BottomLine

[ In Reply To ..]
I practically ran full speed to get out of working in offices. The experiences I had were shocking. So much drama, so many cliques, and so much misery! Yes, loved the more even paychecks (not based on production but hourly); however, I absolutely hated the nonsense, bickering, gossip, and even the competitiveness of fellow teammates who'd trample on heads to reach for the next rung in the ladder.

And that's what I'm most concerned about. Second is reinventing myself. I'm getting too old to keep making major life changes as it takes a ton of energy. I might have to do it, though, and try to focus on the pros instead of the cons.

It seems, though, that in some ways it's a trade off of one type of worry and stress for another. Ultimately, though, it comes down to whether or not there's enough income to pay bills and eat.

No more MT! - Sabrina

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I left the MT field 3 weeks ago after being in it for over 20 years. I will NEVER be back. I was lucky enough to find a doctor who has faith in me to remember how to work in a medical office. While leaving the house is very hard, the hours later, my migraines are GONE, my smile is back. I get paid whether I am working or sitting, I am not worried about off-shoring, and while the pay is not great, at least I will have raises instead of pay cuts year after year. I hope you decide to go for it. I did and while it was VERY scary, I am glad it happened. Good luck.

No, I dont regret it. - see message.

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I kinda accidently left MT. A friend of mine who works for a very large health network who owns a large multispecialty clinic, several doctor's office and many hospitals in my state put in a word for me with her supervisor. She knew the predicament I was in after being outsourced to an MTSO and the drastic cut in pay I took.

I was actually comfortable working from home even though financially it was kicking my butt because hubby is on disability. Well I went ahead and applied as I had previous experience as a CNA (almost 13 years ago), a phlebotomy certificate and many college courses that I had taken towards nursing prior to becoming an MT.

Long story short, they hired me and now I am a medical office assistant working n a clinic. I only make $13 an hour, but guess what? I don't have to struggle for it. It's guaranteed. I don't have to worry about line counts, no jobs available etc. That $13 is promised to me as long as I show up to work everyday, punch the time clock and do my job.

I didn't realize what a blessing it was to actually get out the house everyday and go into work, be on a daily routine, actually deal with other people face-to-face besides just my family. I LOVE IT!!! I use to work 10am to 6:30 pm from home and now I get up at 7 am and work 8:30am to 5:30pm. I use to sleep in most of the time and get up at about 9 am or with just enough time to make my coffee, wash my face & brush my teeth. Now even on my days off I am up no later than 7:30 or 8 am.

I get to go to garage sales now on Saturdays, plan for weekend get aways etc. I love it and it's so worth it. Im happier, more energetic and active. After working from home for 6 years - MT for 12.5 yrs, but worked from home 5 years for hospital I use to work for and then 1 yr for MTSO outsourced to - I use to think I never wanted to have to work outside the home again, but boy was I pleasantly surprised and truly blessed.

I also will get annual raises now so I wont have to stay at $13 an hour forever, my pay will increase yearly even if it is only by 5 to 10 cents, it's well worth it.

If your school does not offer it anymore - that ought to tell you something.

[ In Reply To ..]
Start exploring your options, set goals for what you wanna do and where you wanna be in 2 to 5 years. It is not likely that MT as you know it will be around in 30 years to retire from.

If you can, go back into - CNMT wifey

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x-ray technology, because even a part-time x-ray tech can make more than a full-time MT in many cases. My husband is a CNMT and used to be an x-ray tech, made more in a bad year than I made in a good year.

Thanks for all of you above who posted...s/m - ???

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Thank you all for your advice. Been thinking about why I got into MT in the first place. It started out in a chiro office 10 years ago with typing daily SOAP notes. Put in the tape, listened and typed, saved the report under their name in Word. Easy. Just print off if needed. Sooooo, I thought MT would be "easy". (I know, laugh at me then). So I go thru the MT program, learned it was not so easy, left a great job to SAH, realized MT sucks, tried everything to get out. Worked another temp job just to make it. Switched to another MTSO for the pay, benefits, etc and was generally happy. Still with them. Plus didn't want to waste my education.

Well, my initial "plan" was to be a SAHM and still work at home and make money and have a career and be home with my kids and no daycare, etc. Well fast forward 5 years, still no kids (loooong story) so basically I have nothing keeping me at home besides my dog (but not so hard to have a neighbor let her out). I've been trying to get into my local hospital and apply 1-2 times a year but still nothing. Some days I'm fine with MT and other days I'm afraid of getting fired for yet another returned report. Not to mention all the other stuff that goes along with it. Honestly, I'm bored! Editing is booooooring! Plus I'm the type of person who needs micromanagement to make sure I'm doing my job. Seriously, I edit a report or two, then do something else. I get my time in and line count in and anything over min is a bonus for me, but I'm just not in it. I like not having to drive in the snow but I miss face-to-face contact with patients and having someone to eat lunch with. I feel I never get a day off. Anyone else bored to tears?

BTW, going back to school is not an option. Can't afford it, would have to go down to PT so half my income with an added expense of school wouldn't work. Can't get a loan, grant, or assistance b/c I "make too much." Plus, my DH was so supportive in my education that it's his turn to pursue his goals. I did look into it though thru my local tech college and don't have the $8000 to go back for rad tech. :-(

So I guess until I get an interview somewhere else or get fired, I'm stuck in MT b/c at least it's a paycheck. Anything is better than $0.

Thanks again!

I left the "A" in WI earlierl this year and - Not looking back

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am definitely not planning to return to MT. Only possible scenario would be if my health failed suddenly and I had to do a "sitting" at home job again. It is one of the best of the rest, but for the last several years has steadily declined, IMHO, until it was no longer a viable option for me. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

I have been an MT for 27 years. It was a career that - Not me

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found me, as I knew nothing about it until a job landed in my lap. It was a good job for a lot of years, but the last 2 years at least have been not so good. Accounts went to VR, went to India. We went to M*Modal, which was horrendous and an account that was probably 90% very difficult ESL and incredibly picky.

I was laid off from that job and lost a PT IC job when account went to Nuance. I have not missed it a single day. I can't believe how bad things are now compared to when I started.

Now I an unemployed and going back to school. I'm terrified because I'm slowly using up my savings and don't qualify for any aid for college. I have looked into doing MT part-time, but the only job offers I have are from Nuance, M*Modal, and Inscribe.

I may one do MT again for a local account, but otherwise I'm done. I feel so bad for the new MTs who have bought into the hype of $40,000/year, work when you want, etc.

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