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

Why do you all stay? - old and burned out

Posted: Dec 27, 2012

I understand all the difficulties involved in trying to get into another line of work but why do so many of you stay month after month when you have no work? It's not going to get any better. I have had work but the work is so terrible that I suspect they won't put a lot of MTs on it because they can't handle it. I've been doing this over 40 years and the work makes me want to cry much of the time. I'm only part-time and think if I had to do this full-time I would probably blow my brains out (if I have any brain matter left after doing this crap).

I did not stay but I do believe they hand out crap - to everyone and anyone. sm

[ In Reply To ..]
I do not think they are just picking you because you can handle it. They hand it out daily to any taker. Trust me.

I do not know why people stay. It has to be security of some kind. I had headaches, anxiety, irritability, and could barely sleep at night with all the crap floating in my brain regarding this job. Oh, forgot about, heartburn, hand tremors, neck aches, thumbs killing me, dry eyes.... You name it. All of that dissipated when I left, so not sure why people stay. It's a living hell if you ask me.

I am trying to get out, have been applying like - crazy everywhere, but

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I really need some classes in computer applications if I want a secretary type job, and need schooling if I want more than minimum wage. What else can I do? I went from highschool, to stay at home mom for 5 years, to school for MT, and now have done this for 17 years. I have no other job history, no other experience in anything. Some of us just cant "Get out."

Works for me - There are days though

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I have a decent schedule, decent accounts and a TSM that leaves me alone. I have work most of the time. For me this job allows me to help support my family and be available for all kids events, sick days etc. Plus I am helping my husband go back to school because his job pays much better than mine. I make more money from home than anywhere in our small town even with the pathetic Mmodal wages. There are days I truly hate my job and pray for NJA so I can take the day off but I just keep focused on the bigger picture. Mmodal is just a piece of the puzzle that fits for now. It never was a long-term career option for me, just something to help pay the bills, maybe get some benefits and give me a little more flexibility with my time. For now it works and when it does not I will find something else.

You and I are fortunate - SMD

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I truly feel compassion for those whose sole support is MModal - don't see how they can continue with NJA. I got this job after working 10+ years in restaurant management b/c I had a son and decided that I was going to homeschool. He is 13 and just entered the 9th grade. I have been working at home MT for the last 10 years. This is the least amount of money I have ever made, and my PTO is all gone for the first time ever - all used up on NJA. Not sure what the next step is b/c, even though my husband's job and insurance is great, it is not enough to pay all the bills - and my kid needs braces, too! However, when I do have NJA - I just thank God for my health and my family and take that opportunity to do something constructive with that time - spend it with family or work on homeschool, etc. I try not to worry too much but, I understand it is easier for those of us with a second income from our spouse. I pray for us all and that this NJA will end soon. I cannot work outside the home - not possible with a child who is home all day. I believe all other companies are about the same as MModa, though, so switching jobs is probably useless. I will just keep praying and have faith that God will provide - either money or time...whichever He feels I need.

Works for me also - anon

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I have work most of the time and decent accounts. I made 50,000 this year so I see no need to jump ship yet. I am the sole support for my family so having work is a top priority. If I ever end up with NJA as often as some of you seem to be, I would have to leave for something else, but for right now this is still working. It is not without its stress, however, and I would love to see some changes so I could actually enjoy my work rather than being stressed about it all the time.

WOW!! - SMD

[ In Reply To ..]
50,000 is truly impressive. Congrats. I am full time and don't make anywhere near that...of course, I don't work the entire 40 hours b/c I am constantly breaking to help my son with homeschool....Thank God for that! Good for you, ANON. Prayers it will keep producing those kinds of numbers for you.

50K a year - me

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Just wondering, how in the WORLD are you making 50K a year being paid by the line? you must have the BEST dictators in the world or have straight typing. Just wondering.

I just work hard and whenever possible - anon-op

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I always take advantage of OT when approved. I have accounts which very often get backlogged in the evening and I work a split shift with 2 hours in the evening and often can add OT because there is a lot of work then. I am at 0.552 for ASR and 0.882 for straight typing. In a 15,000 to 16,000 line week I generally only have around 1000 lines of straight typing. My average weeks are around 15,000 but the last pay period I managed over 16,000 each week. This pay period, will be far less, but luckily I do have some PTO I can use to make up. That is the depressing aspect of this job, having to use PTO when there is no work just to have a check. Fortunately, for me, that doesn't happen real often.

50,000 year - trina

[ In Reply To ..]
Are you working for M-Modal and making that kind of money there? I know you would have to make quite a bit of overtime to make that kind of money. One year I made about 40,000 years ago, but to me it's impossible now.

Yes, at MModal, 111 hours of overtime this year. NM - anon-op

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x

OT - saywhat

[ In Reply To ..]
Lucky you! I keep getting NJA and have used all my PTO up. Can't afford to lose my insurance. I am my sole support. I am stressing out not knowing when I will get work again. I have only typed 10 jobs this week. Quite scary.

50K - me

[ In Reply To ..]
well, I admire your work ethic. That's just too many hours in a chair for me making pennies for this company.

50 K is not pennies. :) NM - anon-op

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x

50K - me

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No, 50 K is not pennies; I used to make over 50K before the hospital I worked at outsourced to Nuance. The company pays pennies, which is just shameful. THey are making BILLIONS every year, so can afford to pay the ppl who have to shlep through these ridiculous reports more money!

Making Billons... - gltrgrami

[ In Reply To ..]
Yep, they sure are and we are paid such a meager wage for what we do. I used to make 55K a year, in-house. Great job! Free health care. I didn't work near as hard as I do now. No stress. If I knew then what I know now, I would have gone into some other kind of work. I didn't even get a card, sticky pads, highlighters, a bonus - nothing from MM for Christmas. They should be ashamed of the way they treat their employees. Who do they think is making the money for them? I used to work 2-3 jobs when I was raising my kids. I am totally burned out, hands hurt, back hurts, arms/elbows hurt. I'm ready to retired, just 4-1/2 more years maybe sooner. Anybody reading this that wants to go into transcription should run, and don't look back.

Thanks for adding that that is ONLY with OT - MT

[ In Reply To ..]
That's an important factor.

that's what I always ask - no work

[ In Reply To ..]
The question the OP asked is not why do you stay with this crappy company but why do you stay if you HAVE NO WORK. I wouldn't stick around for more than a week in that situation. Don't understand why anyone would.

In a word, insurance. - grits

[ In Reply To ..]
The insurance my husband's job offers is terrible. BION, the job I have is pretty good for around here - if I were to leave, I'd probably only be able to find minimum wage work and it would be on my feet for hours on end, dealing with the public. I am not a people person and that's putting it lightly. Therefore, I stay and don't complain. Much :)

WHY DO WE STAY... - gltrgrami

[ In Reply To ..]
LOL. Love your humor. This job will definitely take a toll on you. That's a good question. I have been doing this for 25+ years and absolutely hate it. I support myself. Everyday is an eternity (yes, I work full-time.) But, this is all I have done for 25 years. I have applied for other jobs; nobody ever calls me back. I can only assume it's because I have no experience doing anything but transcription, that is recent. Ever tried living on minimum wage? I live in California, a VERY expensive state to live in. Minimum wage here is around $7.50 an hour. There is no way anyone can survive on that. At my age, I am just holding my breath for 4-1/2 more years until I retire, if I make it that long. Then, I will do something that I enjoy, hopefully.

I didn't stay -- left last April after 15 years - never been happier - nm

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