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#100185 - 06/12/08 10:16 PM
Looking for advice
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SpecialK
New Member
Registered: 06/12/08
Posts: 5
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I found this forum today. I've been looking into medical transcription for some time, and have looked at the different schools that offer the training. I was originally leaning towards Career Step, until I came here. I live in a very rural area and have been going to school to become an RN. I am about done with all of the prerequisites that are required, and will be starting nursing school in January.
I'm hoping to get some advice, not necessarily to tell me what to do, but to hopefully push me in the right direction. I've read from a few of you that you would not choose this profession today. I was curious as to why? Is it because of the pay? The work? The lack of jobs?
I have a huge decision to make on whether I should go on to become a registered nurse or a medical transcriptionist. I love the medical field and received an "A" in anatomy and physiology and it's not that I don't think that I would like being a nurse, I'm sure I will love it, but I put the numbers to work and with the cost of daycare; fuel; scrubs; and not to mention the cost of completing my RN, I would actually make more money as a medical transcriptionist, that is if I could at least make $14.00 an hour. (I'm not sure if that is even realistic)
I was wondering if I put all of my effort into a medical transcription program, is it possible to work up to at least $14.00 an hour? I realize that I will not make that right away. I read some posts that they barely made $1.00 an hour when they first started. It will take me until 2010 to become a registered nurse, I just figured by then I could be making a decent wage as a medical transcriptionist. I'm just afraid from the talk around the boards that it may not be the best career in the future. I just want to make sure I make the right decision.
I'm looking for any advice you can give me.
Thank you.
Kristy
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#100189 - 06/12/08 10:25 PM
Re: Looking for advice
[Re: SpecialK]
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casagrandeMT
Member
Registered: 12/05/04
Posts: 1216
Loc: Casa Grande, AZ
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I've read from a few of you that you would not choose this profession today. I was curious as to why? Is it because of the pay?
That is a big YES.
Be smart - stick with nursing. You will make more money and your job won't be outsourced to India or the Phillipines.
_________________________
Casagrande ex-MT
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#100190 - 06/12/08 10:26 PM
Re: Looking for advice
[Re: SpecialK]
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tropsicleAfter
Member
Registered: 10/30/06
Posts: 2053
Loc: MS Gulf Coast
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Stick with the nursing.
_________________________
tropsicle
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#100195 - 06/12/08 11:04 PM
Re: Looking for advice
[Re: tropsicleAfter]
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whorn
Member
Registered: 01/17/08
Posts: 495
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Agree with the two posters above. Stick with getting your RN.
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#100196 - 06/12/08 11:06 PM
Re: Looking for advice
[Re: tropsicleAfter]
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FarAwayDeb
Member
Registered: 03/15/02
Posts: 2772
Loc: just south of Rochester, NY
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If I had the money for nursing school, and was younger, and could stand on my feet for any reasonable amount of time, I would definitely rather be a nurse. I know nursing is really hard work, but you can make a huge difference in the lives of a lot of people if you're a good nurse. And nothing electronic or automated will ever take the place of a good nurse.
_________________________
Good grammar ain't easy.
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#100199 - 06/12/08 11:27 PM
Re: Looking for advice
[Re: FarAwayDeb]
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ArmyWifeMT
New Member
Registered: 01/21/08
Posts: 22
Loc: Wherever The Army Sends Us
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Kristy let me give you a different perspective so you can think about it.
I'm a student at Andrews. Now there is no way on earth that you could do RN school and a good MT school at the same time. I already have a degree in a field I never wish to work in again (sports medicine). I am also an army wife and mother of 4. Obviously I am alone with my children for long periods of time, Iraq tours are 15 months so you can imagine.
I wanted to do a 2 year RN program because I had no desire to do another 4 year degree. Then I started checking into MT. I also have to preface this by explaining my bias, I DESPISE daycare and have always refused to put any of my children in it. You should know that bias going into this. ;-) I wanted to be a nurse very badly, part of me still does. There has been a lot of negativity going on lately about pay (I mean in my little corner of the MT world) so there are days I worry I made the wrong decision. Two year RNs make at least 15 per hour in my area and I could easily get a scholarship through a military spouse program.
I have 4 children ranging in ages from 2 to 9 years. During clinicals I would need to be at the site by 6:00 am many days. Afterwards there would be classes until the afternoon until about 4:30. This means I would need child care before and after school and all day for my 2-year-old daughter. I have already had anatomy, phys, kineis, ex phys...you name it. Because it was so long ago the nursing program required I take it again. I know how much study would go into these courses, granted I was going to go to a piddly community college so it wouldn't have been too challenging but time consuming nonetheless. How much time would I have really had with my kids? What about when Daddy deploys again? Then they see there 1 parent for 3 hours a day while she is stressed and trying to study. Their grandparents are all 1,200 miles away to boot!
As much as I love hands on medical care I also know it has its drawbacks. Abusive patients, abusive doctors, long hours, grueling schedules, stressful work environments.
In all honest I cannot see myself doing MT for the rest of my life, I'm a frustrated student right now though. I do believe one day I will go to nursing school. My kids are my priority and for the next 10 years or so they need me. After all the work I have done on my course at Andrews I have learned that MT is not something you can be successful at while watching kids. My daughter will be at a neighbors house (certified day care provider) once I am working. But I will be HOME and can be there for them so much more.
So consider ALL aspects of your life when making this decision. My Dad actually said to me what made the final decision. He pointed out that if I worked as an MT for 10 years and then went to nursing school I could still have 30 years to work as a nurse! That is a LOT of time. All my life ambitions do not have to be accomplished right now. :-)
_________________________
~Sarah~
Army wife, mom to four kids and a snake, MT student.
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#100203 - 06/13/08 01:44 AM
Re: Looking for advice
[Re: SpecialK]
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SpecialK
New Member
Registered: 06/12/08
Posts: 5
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I wanted to thank all of you for your advice. These decisions are hard. One of the reasons I was considering being an MT is because I can train at home, work from home and still be working in the medical profession. I live in the country and the hospital that I would work at is over 40 miles away. The school that I will be attending in January is over 50 miles away, that's 100 miles a day. I will have to attend Mon-Thurs and with the cost of fuel, daycare and me not working it will put a huge dent in our checkbook, not to mention hardly ever seeing my family during clinicals. My husband is a farmer and has a job in town so we can make ends meat, again, the price of fuel is putting a huge damper on the farming business as well.
The local hospital starts there RNs at $20.00 an hour, which is great, but I'm afraid that I will be working only to pay back all of the loans that I had to get to make a mortgage payment, fuel, daycare, etc. while I was going to school.
I guess in the back of my mind, like what armywife had to say, I was considering going the MT route and then possibly finishing nursing school when my children are older. If the MT profession is that bad, and if there is no way that I can make a living doing this profession, then I will definitely take the nursing route. I was just wondering if there is anyone out there who may have something positive to say as well.
I just want to be sure that I make the right decision.
Thanks again.
Kristy
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#100207 - 06/13/08 03:42 AM
Re: Looking for advice
[Re: SpecialK]
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whorn
Member
Registered: 01/17/08
Posts: 495
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Kristy,
Let me elaborate on my previous post. To answer your question, yes, you can make $14.00 an hour doing medical transcription. I have been an MT for almost 20 years. I will tell you honestly that there are jobs in this field and yes, you can make $14.00 per hour or maybe even better.
However the reality is that for the last 5+ years the wages have been going down in the field instead of rising, outsourcing of MT jobs as well as voice recognition have also come into play, which have also reduced the pay rates and availability of jobs. While I suspect that there will always be the need for MTs, I do not see a particularly bright future ahead for the field per se.
Of course no one can make your decision, but you also have to factor in that nowadays from what I have read, one must enroll in a very good school (Andrews, M-TEC,) etc. in order to have a reasonable chance of obtaining employment. To be honest with you I trained in an era when the Internet was in its infancy and know nothing about the cost involved in going to a top rated on line school, but I suspect it is not cheap.
When it's all said and done I suppose that you would have to factor in how much you have invested thus far in nursing, the cost of the MT school, your children, etc., etc. I will say from personal opinion the nursing field has a much brighter future ahead of it than that of the MT field, but I am also sure that there will be jobs available in the MT field for the near forseeable future, albiet with a slowly continuing decline in wages, etc.
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#100215 - 06/13/08 08:28 AM
Re: Looking for advice
[Re: SpecialK]
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baldymom
Member
Registered: 02/26/04
Posts: 628
Loc: Hampton Roads - Va
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I was just wondering if there is anyone out there who may have something positive to say as well.
I have had a very positive experience with MT. I started my course with Andrews in January of 2005, graduated in September 2006 (it does not have to take that long), and had a job as an IC in two weeks. As an IC, I pay my own taxes from what I make and have no insurance.
When I started, even on my fairly easy account, I was barely making $5/hour. After about a year on the job (I worked part-time), I can average about $18/hour. I did not get a job with a large national company. I do not work on a hospital account. Those all make a huge difference. If I was on the same account as an employee (assuming a 2 cent drop in pay per line), I could probably still make close to $14 plus all the benefits.
Not everyone has had a negative experience. I personally could not handle nursing. I like sitting quietly at my computer for hours on end. My children do make it a challange. I cannot put in 40 hours a week with them here. If I needed to do that, there would be a lot less sleep involved.
I do not expect to be doing MT for the rest of my working life. I may get bumped to editing voice recognition files. That's fine. When my kids are grown and gone, I suspect I'll move on to something else as well. I have 15 years until the youngest will most likely be out of the house. I'll reconsider it all then. I expect to be able to continue doing this until then.
I've been hearing all the cries about how MT is going overseas and wages are dropping and people can't find jobs. There are plenty of MT jobs available for qualified MTs. You get that qualification through Andrews or M-TEC. Yes, wages have dropped. Yes, jobs have gone overseas. The damand for MT is expected to rise. I have not found that to have been a problem when I was looking for a position. I am probably not paid what I am worth, but I am willing to work hard to see that increase on my merits (which will not happen at a nation and is why I choose not to be employed with one). Finding that perfect situation that allows you to do your job, do it well, and recognizes your work is the hardest part of MT. There are still some of those companies out there. Finding that would be your biggest obstacle.
I'm starting to ramble.
Good luck with your decision, Kristy. I wish you all the best.
_________________________
What would you do with a brain if you had one? -- Dorothy -- Wizard of Oz
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#100256 - 06/13/08 02:04 PM
Re: Looking for advice
[Re: baldymom]
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bippy
Member
Registered: 11/01/06
Posts: 447
Loc: Summerland.
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I guess it all depends on what you want to do. I prefer a job not dealing with, um, people. Some people love it. I started MT about 2-1/2 years ago and with a good account, great company, and a new bonus program, I am making a nice amount of money. The only person who can make the decision is you. Being an RN you will probably have an idea exactly how much you will make per year but it is an on-your-feet type of job (not that sitting all day is easy) but you get the idea. Being an at-home MT means probably not using as much gas or not having to deal with too many goofballs, but sometimes you don't know if there will be enough work or maybe you will get a new account and have to get up to speed (again) which can be frustrating.
Good luck whatever you decide!
_________________________
Love my new house!
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#100261 - 06/13/08 02:48 PM
Re: Looking for advice
[Re: SpecialK]
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SpecialK
New Member
Registered: 06/12/08
Posts: 5
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I appreciate everyone's input. Nurses in my area are in very high demand, and I know that once I become an RN I will be guaranteed a position. The problem is most of the nursing positions are in nursing homes...not really my cup of tea. There are positions that come up at the county hospital, usually 3rd shift and every other weekend.
Bippy, you mentioned I need to do what I want to do, and I agree. I want to have the perfect job working in the medical field, getting paid the big bucks, working from home and still be here for my children. I thought that being a medical transcriptionist would be all of that, until I came here. I appreciate all of you removing the rose-colored glasses. I realize that every job has its downfalls and you have to put up with the politics where ever you go. I'm just concerned of what is best for my family in the long run.
I've pretty much made up my mind due to the generous input that I received from this board. I appreciate your help.
Thank you.
Kristy
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#100272 - 06/13/08 04:03 PM
Re: Looking for advice
[Re: SpecialK]
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bippy
Member
Registered: 11/01/06
Posts: 447
Loc: Summerland.
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Well don't leave us in suspense. What did you decide?
_________________________
Love my new house!
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#100273 - 06/13/08 04:05 PM
Re: Looking for advice
[Re: SpecialK]
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transout
New Member
Registered: 06/12/08
Posts: 11
Loc: South Mississippi
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Hi SpecialK
I am a MT with only three years under my belt but as a RN I had 13 years. I have done both and loved both. I am not sure where you live but here in South Mississippi RN's have many more choices other than the nursing home. Hospitals, Home Health, Hospice, and Physician offices all need nurses. I have worked in several of these fields but chose a Physician's office. I love it and would still be there if not for Hurricane Katrina washing away our clinic and my job. I do love the MT work and make a good living at it, as much as I did as a nurse. I will say though, becaue I worked in an office my pay was not as high as I could have made somewhere else. For me it is more about what makes me happy rather than the money. Don't get me wrong, I know you need money to live but I want to be happy at my job. I may go back to nursing one day, but for now I am content with being a MT and being able to stay home with my two kids. Good luck and God bless what ever choice you make!
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#100281 - 06/13/08 04:50 PM
Re: Looking for advice
[Re: SpecialK]
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SpecialK
New Member
Registered: 06/12/08
Posts: 5
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Sorry, I didn't mean to leave you in suspense ;~) The nursing school that I had chose was not my first choice. I chose them because there was not a waiting list. The nursing school that I prefer has a 1-2 year waiting list. I have decided to give MT a chance, and see if it is for me. I plan to get on the waiting list for the other nursing schools, and if I'm not happy with being an MT after 1-2 years, I will go on to be an RN.
Transout, it's nice to see someone who has done both. I live in a very small town, so most of the nursing jobs, other than nursing homes and 3rd shift, do not come up very often.
Now, the next decision.... Andrews or M-TEC? :~)
Thanks again everyone.
Kristy
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