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

HELP FOR BURNT OUT TRANSCRIPTIONIST - oaf

Posted: Apr 20, 2011

Any ideas? I love the people I work with and the company - but somedays I have all I can do to drag myself in here and stay focused. Been doing transcription for 35+ years and I know I'm burnt out. Where do we old burnt out people go?

Let me know when you figure that out! - CrankyOldBroadOnTheBeach

[ In Reply To ..]
I wish I had some suggestions to offer... I've been at this (gasp) coming up on 39 years, and I too have days where I just can't focus.

The one thing that keeps me going the most is the paycheck, which while it isn't anything like it used to be, is (barely) enough to get by. When that's not enough, I remember some of the knock-down drag-outs I used to get into with co-workers when I worked in an office, and I am VERY thankful for the lack of office politics, as well as the 15-foot commute, and the pajama wardrobe....

And every day is a day closer to retirement... although at this rate, that might arrive at about age 93....

Anybody else? Thoughts? Suggestions? Encouraging words?

I take classes - 25 year MT

[ In Reply To ..]
either online or at the local community college and just keep telling myself that one day I'll escape the hellish boredom of MT. So far nothing has panned out, but I still keep trying.

Also the paycheck doesn't hurt, and I have never been totally without a job all these years, even though like everything else it ain't what it used to be!

Mind games - burned out too

[ In Reply To ..]
I do production games with myself. As I meet each goal, I allow myself internet time, or go for a quick walk. I find as I've gotten older, I need to get up more often.

Maintaining regular work hours has helped me too. Making sure I do something that allows me to expend a bunch of energy once I'm off helps.

Old and burned out - Anonymous

[ In Reply To ..]
This is why I don't work at home any more, it was too difficult to keep my work life and play life separate. Getting out and taking a walk helps, take an exercise class or two if you can afford that. Some other suggestions would be to volunteer (libary, animal shelter, etc.) a few hours a month, become a literacy tutor, or take a fun class at the community college to give your brain a rest. I agree that keeping regular work hours helps, that was my downfall as my manager didn't make us keep a set schedule at home. Anything went as long as we got our hours in, and I had too many distractions. At the office, I stay there and work because I want to go home, lol!

Glad it isn't just me. - burned to ashes

[ In Reply To ..]
I am not lazy, but I drag around like dead lice is falling off me now. I can't get motivated. I used to be proud of my profession and enjoyed the work and always learning something new. Now it is all about the numbers, trying to understand ESL and unfamiliar accounts and the worst of the worst all the while keeping up the numbers for fear of termination. I only sleep good on nights when I don't work the next day. My morale has vanished. All the rah-rah get the ASR numbers up to 400 lph make me want to jump off a cliff (no matter what I do, not during any hour so far have I come close to 400 lph on ASR much less average it 8 hours a day). I even took an online quiz on "Are you burned out?" and, as I suspected, I scored 100%. I am depressed. I haven't had a raise in 7 years. ASR has taken away half of my salary. A few times I have had someone ask me if I thought they should go into the transcription industy, and I scare them I yell "NO" so fast.

Get a job outside the home, it helps - sm - IMMT

[ In Reply To ..]
I have a PT job now but it is an on-call thing, when others are sick or on vacation, that sort of thing, but in line for anything that opens up on a more permanent basis, still PT but regular. Recently applied to a local Dr. office, got called back yesterday, so next step is interview once I pass the psych test (Hospital owned local Dr. office), but will pass that (I hope, LOL). Just a patient rep, the person who greats you, checks you in, takes your money for your co-pay, PT a couple days a week, 5 hours or so a day. Good stepping stone for something better as they heavily promote from within and my goal is to go to school on them and some type of certification whether it a med. tech, or surgery tech, or phlebotomy. Even the PT jobs have benefits, get my life back and rid of the late nights and working 7 days a week. So really hoping I get it, keeping my fingers and toes crossed!

Thanks everyone! - oaf

[ In Reply To ..]
I am so glad to hear I'm not the only one who has to drag her butt across the hall each and everyday! All of your advice was great and I am going to take it to heart. May be get out and enjoy Spring! Counting the days to Social Security! Thanks again

I don't transcribe anymore but I am so burned out in my management job too - However I am also thankful for work food and shelt

[ In Reply To ..]
I don't know why it's so easy to get burned out to the point where you would just rather not go to work. It happens no matter what you do for a living. I've even heard movie stars complain, LOL.

At the same time, I am so thankful that I have good shelter, food, nice clothes, books to read, and my wonderful pets. Work still is a 4-letter word though.

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