A community of 30,000 US Transcriptionist serving Medical Transcription Industry
This is the bridge I cross - medial monkey
Posted: Apr 12, 2013
I could go into a lot of woes about MT work. We all know how the industry is going. I am in my 50s, and frankly I am just biding/doing my time. My back is bad, my legs won't hold up for standing or walking too long, this computer has all but done my eyesight in. ;)
That being said, I do have to give the positives. I made very good money for nearly 14 years. I cand dress up or down, work in my night gown, undies or whatever I deem appropriate for the day. I saved money on gas and clothing. My vehicle did not see more than 20k miles for 4 years, with me taking trips on my days off. All in all, it was a good ride while it lasted.
Now, am I sad? Of course. I am seriousl afraid I will lose my house, my pay has went from 45-50k down to something more in the range of 18K (if that!), but you know, I have had a house for 15 years. I still have a job in a very bad economy. I still make more (if yu figure the gas difference, clothing, etc that an outside job would take) money than I could in the jobs that are around where I live.
Where I live. Now that is another perk. I can live anywhere I want! If there is good internet service, I can be there.
My friends, being the old grey mare that I am now, I have learned one thing. Change is not an option on anything. It is how we handle that chage that makes us or breaks us. I have fought it, tried to bend it, downright denied it, but in the end, here I am staring right in the face of it. So, I accept it and make my proverbial lemonade out of lemons.
I work for a large MTSO, they are not the best, but I can count on the pay. I do get insurance. They take out taxes. As long as I do good work and the hours I agree on, they leave me alone. Really, not so bad after all.
At least I have a job, fo now I still have a house, a car, clothes on my back and am living and breathing. Yes I have pain in my joints and my back, but I can at least feel that pain.
When you really think about it, we are truly blessed. At least I know I am.
Ill cross with you - happy hippo
[ In Reply To ..]I am not happy about the pay, the environment, the conditions, but I am happy I had the experience. I am happy that I was here when my kids got home. I am happy that I was here when they were sick. I am happy my truck only has 53,000 miles since 2001 and will last me the rest of my life. I am happy to have contributed to the family income so my husband didnt bear all the burdon. I am happy my kitties had a warm foot to lay their heads on during the day. I am happy to have found all of these MTs struggling right along with me.
I would rather count the blessings too!
I agree and I am happy - MSmt
[ In Reply To ..]that I was at home the day my little doggie of 13 years died in my arms. If I had a job outside the home, I wouldn't have been there for her and she would have died alone. I know that kind of sounds morbid, but I am glad I was with her at the end as she was the best baby in the world (miss you Sugar)!
I am also - crossing over
[ In Reply To ..]and continuing on the next part of the trail I'm grateful for
a. Having the time to check an e-mail, make a quick phone call, start dinner, fold a load of laundry, etc. during my day. It keeps my evenings a lot less hectic than having an outside job.
b. Take a quick break whenever I want.
c. Set up my office the way I like it, listen to tunes I enjoy, etc.
d. Let the pups out during the day and work with the cats curled up on my desk.
e. Flex my schedule as needed.
f. No commute! Saves me at least an hour a day and a lot of money.
g. Great insurance and generous paid vacation.
h. Get paid more when I work harder.
i. Work for a company who treats me as a professional and gives me plenty of work.
j. Spend my lunch hour however I want--eat, work thru it for extra $, maybe even a nap!
k. Move to a new locale and not have to job hunt.
l. Only have to do 1 thing as a time GUARANTEED.
m. Pick up extra work by the hour, rather than having to pick up an entire shift.
n. Good accounts with work I like.
o. Flexible schedule on holidays.
p. In field where I learn something new every day.
q. Very low stress compared to other jobs I have held.
r. And finally...being left alone to do my job and never EVER having to interact with an angry patient, a jerky boss, or an MD with a god complex...PRICELESS!
I guess I should be - grateful too,
[ In Reply To ..]but I was really hoping that after doing the same job all these years I would have more to show for it than fond memories of working in my underwear and wondering month to month if I would have enough income to buy groceries and pay rent.
My companions on the bridge - Old Pro
[ In Reply To ..]Although I retired from full-time 18 months ago, I sometimes do some fill-in to earn travel money. I am grateful to MT for having been such a wonderful career for so long. It enabled me to enjoy the sweet California sun when I wanted to. It enables me to be able to go into a new hobby--playing with the dogs of my dreams--Dobermans and Rottweilers. (And no, they don't bite.) Most of all, I am grateful for the wonderful people I met along the way.
also crossing that bridge - been there
[ In Reply To ..]Y'all are allowing me to see there are others willing to see the positive side of things and I appreciate your willingness to share.
I've always considered myself fortunate to have had the opportunity to work from home. I've been home when my husband and children were leaving for the day and home when they arrive at the end of the day.
MTing also (with its scheduling flexibility) has allowed me to take in 2 young grandkids and raise them when the need arose.
Through breast cancer, the flexibility of working from home allowed me the privacy and comfort of being at home while receiving treatment.
I've never thought this business would buy the finer things in life, but it has provided the necessities and the fringe benefits I noted above. This is not a hobby for me, I've always been a full time employee and carry the health insurance for my family, and consider it a privilege to work from home.
I feel for those who have been treated unfairly in this business, but upon crossing the bridge, in the end, I am extremely grateful for what I have... not in the finer things in life, but for the nontangibles.
I wish you all the best ;)
Awesome post - Leaving MT
[ In Reply To ..]I am thankful that I have a great job right now that is putting me through school to train for another profession! I really am. I wouldn't be able to earn this kind of money or have this flexibility with any other job. I actually have a wonderful MT job, but our work slowed down a few years ago, and there is not enough for full time any more. I am still in my 40s, so I think it is more prudent for me to train for something else than try and find other MT work at this point.
I am also thankful that I was able to be at home for 2 old dogs and an old cat and see them through to the Rainbow Bridge during my years as an MT. I am thankful for all the things I have learned and continue to learn. I am sad that it will not last for me, but it has been a mostly positive journey.
refreshing post - anon
[ In Reply To ..]Very similar story to yours. I also am thankful to have a job that is getting me through school to start a different career.
Like you, I am thankful this job allowed me to be at home to see my ill dog to the rainbow bridge, a sweetheart who taught me how wonderful retired racing greyhounds are. This job has allowed me to "raise" the 2 dogs I have now, one of them another equally wonderful retired racer.
I am thankful to have used the negatives I have encountered as an MT to become a stronger person, grow a backbone, and pursue something better rather than languish in a dying field.
I too am sad this job will not sustain me into my 40s. I am nervous about entering a completely different field, and I don't look forward to being a "newbie" again and starting all over in learning a different skill.
However, I am thankful for the better things I know will come, and I wish all of those working and hoping for the same will find a better future. It has been a blessing being a part of this message board and finding strength and encouragement from people in similar circumstances.
well okay - I just cant agree though
[ In Reply To ..]What happens when you lose your house because of MT? You say you can live anywhere you want - well, it may be the Valu Inn.
I can't be happy about making 1/3 of what I used to make. I may have to accept it, I obviously have to adapt to it, but I don't have to feel blessed about it.
never said I was happy about it. - medical monkey
[ In Reply To ..]I just realize that the ride is over as far as this profession. Maybe, who knows, I will get into something else. Time will tell, but as it stands right now, the MT ride is over. Time to tighen the belt and deal with what is dealt and move on to better pastures. Yes I can take this job with me wherever I want. My house is up for sale, if it sells that is exactly what I will do, move whereever I can. If it means living in a hotel, so be it.. My plan is, if I am fortunate and the house sells, I will get a fifth wheel camper and park in different areas where they have internet service and do my 30 hours a week and enjoy the rest of the time sitting in the sun, so to speak. It is time to slow down and simplify anyway..
I am still on the bridge....didn't cross yet..LOL - Blessed
[ In Reply To ..]I am grateful every morning when I wake up, move, and breath! Truthfully, life is good, I have my health and my family is healthy. At the end of the day, in the grand scheme of things, what is important and priceless, I have and am grateful and very blessed!
Just remember, jobs will come and go, look around you and realize what is important, and things don't seem as bad as they once did.
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