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

Anyone leaving medical transcription? - MTforyears

Posted: Nov 15, 2014

I've been a medical transcriptionist for 16 years now since graduating from high school. I am looking for motivation to finally leave medical transcription. I need to do this for my family and to get myself out of this unbelievable rut I am in. I am interested in going to school for nursing, so I'm thinking of trying to work in a store or a similar job for the three years I would be in college. I just don't know how easy this transition will be as the one interview I had for a store job, I didnt get. The guy emphasized how often I would be on my feet. I tried to reassure him that I would love the change, but I still didn't get the job. I have had 3 other interviews for different jobs in hospitals, and I'm getting disappointed. Any encouragement would be greatly appreciated. Good luck to all others out there in the MT world. I know it has become very difficult to stay in this field and even more difficult to leave it, at least for me anyway :(

MTforyears - anon

[ In Reply To ..]
Hang in there and apply, apply, apply....many companies take online applications so apply to as many places as you can. I finally got out of MT after 15 years and it was the BEST thing I ever did! I work in an office environment now, which may not be everyone's cup of tea, but I love it...didn't realize how much I missed the camaraderie and not being so isolated at home. It took a while for me to find a job, but don't give up and keep trying...good luck!

You will need to keep applying. - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
I am not sure why you are discouraged after only a few job rejections. It can take 50 or more applications to get a job.

No one will hire you because you "really really want" the job or because you are "sure you can do it." They hire because you have the skills and experience they need.

They are also not going to hire someone who is "in a rut" with their current job or who wants to go back to school.

Don't tell them you want to go to nursing school. When you do, you tell them you are not going to stay with them. You also tell them you will have competing priorities.

You are already in the best job you could have for school. I have been there and done that, so believe me that you will not be able to juggle an outside retail job better than an at-home MT job. It will, in fact, be WORSE.

You should find out what is required for nursing school. There will be prerequisites. Many of them can be taken online. Some can be completed using CLEP tests... study on your own using books and online free courses, www.saylor.org, then take the test.

Doing that will help you learn to organize your time to succeed.

Doing that NOW will give you additional skills you can transfer into a new job.

Doing it that way will help get scholarships and financial aid. Once you are in school, you will have counseling available and be able to get job recommendations and leads from them, possible even on campus jobs. Your financial aid may cover living expenses. (Your current plan tells me you did not know this.)

The best route is not new, crummy, unstable job, then hope for a shot at nursing school. It is to stay in your current job, get the prereqs out of the way as fast as you can, get accepted to nursing school, and keep looking for hospital or nursing home jobs along the way.

Believe me, being halfway to nursing school will get that hospital job faster. Right now all you have is pie in the sky.

Your goal is good, just adjust your route a little. Use what you have. You can't expect that a different job will be a miracle. Avoid letting things that should not discourage you become barriers.

GOING TO SCHOOL - CINDY

[ In Reply To ..]
I agree with this. I did go to school for nursing and I was working as a CNA, and realized that I was too far away from the school, and decided to go back to transcription. Working at night and that way I was able to go to school. School is hard, and exhausting. I went for LPN and I am amazed I made it through, not easy working full-time and going to school, but worth it. I know we make very low wages here, so unless you get a job where you are getting paid by the hour and an easy job, and making more money, it might be helpful to stay in this field. You will have clinicals and mine were on the weekends, 8 hours Saturday and towards the end 8 hour Sat and Sun, plus during the week. Good luck. I am sure you can do it. I know you are going to go for RN if you are going for 3 years, but LPN was 15 months. I might go back for RN, but wanted to start making money after being an LPN.

leaving mt - jane

[ In Reply To ..]
left, was replaced by a computer program which our government recommended and employer bit on their bait. was with them about 20 years, had to have extended leave due to surgery. this was coming down the pike anyway due to our gov and their bribes.

Got out of MT this year, couldn't be happier - anon

[ In Reply To ..]
I am making a good hourly pay with bonuses and if I do well yearly increases in pay. All holidays off with pay, and we are appreciated and treated well!! I couldn't be happier. I went to school for 18 months at age 58, but it can be done (I worked full time as an MT while doing this). Don't give up, there is a much better life out there!

I love your story - Squeaky

[ In Reply To ..]
What are you doing now? You are inspiring me.

I am coding in a large group physician's office - anon

[ In Reply To ..]
I am working in an office, but it is only a 10-15 minute commute. We are treated well and when we have had to work extra to make goal they actually bring us goodies while we work (root beer floats, cookies, lemonade, etc). My family can't believe the difference in me, think I definitely had PTSD from Nuance!! I know many are afraid coding will end up the same, I don't know, but I want another 6 years to work and I was absolutely miserable before and now I look forward to going to work!! It was hard while I was studying and the certification tests are difficult, but it really paid off for me. Best wishes in getting out of MT!

I left MT in June 2014.....sm - SMC

[ In Reply To ..]
I started as an assistant manager for a well-known fast food restaurant. They liked my skills as being a trainer, very detail-oriented, etc. Pay is salary plus bonuses. Definitely better than I have made as an MT in the last 3 years (after 25 years in the business). Now to go forward, I was offered the general manager position and have accepted it. It is a huge raise and more potential for bonuses.

I guess what I am saying is this...do not rule out anything. Just be ready to work for what you want.

I spent technically over 25 years as an MT. I am in my late 40s. I started over. I have not enjoyed life this much in a very long time. I look back at MT and the only thing I ask myself is this...Why didn't I do this sooner?

Don't let not getting that job deter you. KEEP TRYING!! Sending you hugs and hope!!!

That is awesome! :-) - Mtforyears

[ In Reply To ..]
It's so nice to hear success stories from former mts. It really gives me hope. Thank you for sharing your story. :-)

Need a support group - tiredMT

[ In Reply To ..]
for us burned out MTs. I am 53, and the way things are going, I will be working until I'm 70, so there's still time to start over. I have been so beaten down, have dipped (with a big dipper) into my savings, and since I have been working at home, I have no wardrobe, my car is 18 years old, etc. As I go on, I am just getting deeper and deeper in debt, when I am supposed to be saving for retirement - Ha! what retirement? But that's another story.
We are all isolated, we need to get together and boost each other up. My depression is getting worse with the isolation and with winter coming, the SAD kicks in, I am really not looking forward to anything. Thanks for letting my vent.

That's the thing right there -- - time4achange

[ In Reply To ..]
The isolation. I left MT after 13 years, after being outsourced and taking a 50% pay cut. I am now working 2 part-time jobs, one in a health food store and one for a mail order business packaging orders. The pay is roughly the same, maybe a little bit more. But I am SO much happier and much more energetic. I have variety in my day and people to talk to. I did not realize how very grueling and isolating transcription is until I took a step back. I am so happy I made the change. If I ever go back, it will be on a VERY part time basis as an IC.

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