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

Overwhelmed, scared, discouraged - Help me

Posted: Jun 11, 2010

I just went through training with a new company. They seem like very nice people. But I feel so overwhelmed with everything that we went through in training, in a way I've never felt before. I feel unprepared to do my job on my start date. (Thankfully, it's not today). I feel like I can log in, and that's it. My trainer just blazed through everything as if I knew what she was talking about, as if I had done it all before. Like I said, she was super, super nice. But I feel like even in 3 weeks or 2 months, there is no way I will be able to get everything down. I have a sinking feelling. It's not the account specifics (which is about 30-something pages, by the way) or the transcription I'm scared about. It's the software. I don't want to quit. I need the money. But I also don't want to be a burden or not be able to pull my own weight.

What do I do? Do I e-mail my supervisor and let her know I am completely overwhelmed? I am just really, really scared. I am living off the charity of others right now, and I felt so thankful when I got this job because I could stand on my own two feet. But I feel like I won't be able to be productive in this job, that I need to move on and find one that will fit me better.

I welcome any and all input.

LOL, I just started with a new company also - DetectiveBelker

[ In Reply To ..]
Same thing here, trainer just blazed through everything and I felt panicky. It's been a month and I've figured it out for the most part and am doing great. I was released from 100% QA my second day of work. IMO, give it a try and don't be afraid to email/call your trainer to ask for help. Mine was very helpful and called every day for a week before my shift started to ask if I had any questions, etc. Good luck.

Forgot to say... sm - me

[ In Reply To ..]
I'm learning speech for the first time. So that adds to my "what the **** have I gotten myself into" feeling.

I kinda wish I could find an FTP job. Then I might not feel like I was going to have a nervous breakdown so much.

Well, if you're just learning speech rec on top of a new platform-- - SM

[ In Reply To ..]
--I'd expect to feel a bit overwhelmed at first. Try to relax.

Let me also say that I've been doing this for the past 15 years or so and feel pretty competent and able to find my way around in various software platforms, but I have to admit that the past couple of times I've trained with a new company recently for some part-time work I, too, felt that the trainers rushed through everything and didn't really allow me to learn. It was pretty rapid-fire and glossed over. Maybe that's the way things were headed. I remember years ago "training" often consisted of online classes of a half dozen or so new MTs with a trainer and would last for 2-3 days. Now, you're lucky if you get an hour of training. So, don't feel bad. It's not just you.

Yes, definitely let someone know you're feeling a bit overwhelmed. Perhaps they could "buddy" you up with a more experienced MT (or a different trainer) who could help you a bit with things as you encounter them.

That's what I'd do, anyway.

I was in the same boat - CrankyOldBroadOnTheBeach

[ In Reply To ..]
and it really, really does get better, and faster than you might think.

I too was pretty much overwhelmed--new job, new account, new work types, new dictators, new platform, new account instructions, new accents, aaaaaak!

I just kept plugging away, and I logged on and worked any time outside of my shift that they would let me, because I figured the more I did, the faster I would get it under my fingers.

And I did. I was released from "mentoring" after only about 10 days, I think it was, when the usual period was 30 days at that time.

I second the suggestion to see if they can buddy you up with another MT (or two) on the same account and platform as you. And find out where all the samples are... those will help you immensely.

The very best of luck to you. Take a deep breath, and go for it! You will be fine.

I feel your pain! - Also at a new job

[ In Reply To ..]
Boy, I feel where you're coming from. I really do. I started a new job two weeks ago and I feel like the last two weeks God's been telling me that this wasn't a great idea. I'm hopeful that finally today I have the computer bugs worked out and today will be productive.

What I did was I kept a little notebook next to my hand. Every time something came up that I wasn't sure about, I wrote it down. Then at the end of my first week I went to my team lead and asked to schedule more time with the training team. That helped enormously.

Don't think about the software. I've learned a lot of different ones in my time and they can all be intimidating at first. The way I've always thought about it was, I know the concept of what I'm trying to do, so what does this new software call that process... That seemed to help me deal with changes faster.

Any change is scary, but you'll do great. Just keep a list going of all of your questions and go back to your supervisor at the end of your first week and ask for more time with the training people. If they're a good company to work for that won't be an issue for you at all.

Hang in there! You'll get it.

I feel exactly the same way! The only difference is, - (sm)

[ In Reply To ..]
I have over 20 years' experience prior to my current job, and I've been with my current company for 4 years!

Being overwhelmed, scared and discouraged becomes a way of life.

Oh. And don't forget to add DEPRESSED.

Your experience is probably typical contemporary - issue

[ In Reply To ..]
It is happening more and more that they ask you to use clunky, cumbersome software and be productive to boot! This practice won't last long before they realize that all these new fangled toys are a problem.

To Help Me. I know exactly how you - feel. My suggestion s/m

[ In Reply To ..]
is this. I had to learn a new platform, went through training, had manual, and I thought I was going to have a nervous breakdown. Saving grace: Got Yahoo messenger IM and teamed up with others on my account, and also e-mails. These other MTs saved me!!! If you let us know what platform, maybe MTs on here can help you with it. You need "buddies".

Re: Overwhelmed - Halli

[ In Reply To ..]
Started with new company. During training, I was thinking ''This is too much! I will never master this!'' The trainer kept telling us: ''All these things that now seem difficult will become automatic to you''---I did NOT believe her. Now, 1 month later, she was right! Everything did eventually ''sink in''. Try not to be afraid. It's slow-going at first but it will get better :) (Plus I am almost retirement age, so if this old-dog can learn new tricks, so can anyone, ha, ha!)

Thanks everyone sm - me

[ In Reply To ..]
All the input really helped. I will try it for a week and then let you guys know how it turned out. I will just ask question after question after question. Maybe my multiple questions and extreme confusion will help them see that they need to step up their training.

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