Medical Transcription

[JessB320]

Just as CF'er was touching on, student loans and finical aid are different than any other loan. Your credit history is not going to prevent you from getting them. First talk to an advisor at your community college NOW then you need to go online and fill out the FAFSA, this is the federal paperwork you will need, again the school can help you if you get stuck on it, basically it's tax info from last year and info about your household (how many people, minors etc) if you hurry you may even be able to start school during the next term. Don't be discouraged, I think you will be surprised at what is available to you.

 

[maelstrom]

sorry i must have missed that..........you must feel very Blessed to have the parent u have......very few parents would be willing to pay there grown kids education.......does she want to adopt me....PLEASE.............. my next question will the school help place you when u are done????

NJcarita: Yes, I feel VERY blessed to have the parents that I do. Depending on the program, they will help place you when you are done, yes. Not all programs, but some of them.

 

[maelstrom]

I'm confused, while 46k a year isn't much, I would think in a rural setting the costs of living would be low, none of my business I'm just curious why the money issues.

I live an hour-ish north of Manhattan, that's why. The cost of living is VERY HIGH here. My 500 square foot, one bedroom apartment, with fixtures that have not been updated since the late 1950s-mid 1960s (no, I am not exaggerating) costs us $850 per month, and that is the cheapest place in town.

 

[maelstrom]

When we first got married, we only had one car. DH had a job and I did not. So i would drop him off at his job, then went to look for jobs within to same area. I found one nearby--not my dream job but it helped pay the rent.

You are way to young to give up on yourself. You got mad because someone said you are uneducated--maybe not UN educated, but you are definitiely UNDEReducated. Is there no program at the CC that you might do? I know you are a CPT, but if you can't find a job in that field, then you DO need more education. That particular degree is fairly narrow in scope.

Since you seem to like medical stuff, perhaps you should consider becoming a certified nurse assistant or a medical assistant. The CNA works mostly in nursing homes, assistant living, or home health care(like a sitter for an elderly or disabled person.) A MA works mostly in the doctor's office, taking vital signs, getting health history, doing some minor lab tests, etc.

Have you considered joining the military? Just about any job you could do in civilian life is done in the military.

Have you really thought about what direction you want your life to go? If you'd like to do nail art, perhaps you could take cosmetology at the CC. Once you finish that and take whatever boards, you can get a job doing hair. From that point you might be able to pay your own way through nail art classes.

I grew up poor. My parents couldn't pick up the slack for anything. Everything I have I worked for. I worked as a CNA night shift on a cancer ward. I wiped a lot of puke and stool. I held people's hands as they died. Did I love it? Noooo, but I needed the money. I went to nursing school and after I graduated that, I went BACK to school for more education funded completely by MOI. You do what you have to do, one step at a time.

Time for you to brainstorm. You're throwing up a lot of barriers for yourself. Time to stop living in "I can't" and move to "I will!"

Yes, I would agree that I am "under educated".

I have a long and sordid history with my community college. I would have to say that my biggest barrier is the necessity of taking upper level math courses no matter what the degree program, whether the math has anything to do with the program at all. I've had tutors, extra help, meeting with the teachers, etc. Math is pretty much Greek to me. Worse... it's like trying to learn an obscure African language spoken by three people in the whole world. Math has been a HUGE barrier to me graduating from college. I have enough credits to graduate from the school... more than enough, in fact... just not the ones I need in math and science.

I would not become a CNA. I won't get into why here, I do not want to offend anyone, but that job is not for me. The military is also not for me. I looked into it when I was younger (18-19) and it is not for me.

I appreciate your trying to help, thank you.

 

[maelstrom]

Just as CF'er was touching on, student loans and finical aid are different than any other loan. Your credit history is not going to prevent you from getting them. First talk to an advisor at your community college NOW then you need to go online and fill out the FAFSA, this is the federal paperwork you will need, again the school can help you if you get stuck on it, basically it's tax info from last year and info about your household (how many people, minors etc) if you hurry you may even be able to start school during the next term. Don't be discouraged, I think you will be surprised at what is available to you.

Thank you for this information, I will look into it. If I can get a loan that is not tied to my credit and my husband's income won't disqualify me, it sounds like a very viable option.

My major before leaving the community college as a regular student was Human Services (I affectionately called it "social work light"). I would love to continue that program if I could. Ideally, I would like to work with Planned Parenthood or a similar outfit, or really just working with women in need in some capacity.

After I felt that the "dream" of a college degree went away, is when I started looking at the online medical office -type classes, and beauty school (which I would still love to do, but as explained to me by the school, a program needs to be at least 300 hours to be allowed to get financial aid, and the nail tech program is only 250 hours).

But, again, thank you, I will look into the FAFSA and such.

 

[Sadie22]

Read the forums on the websites I mentioned, in particular the folders for transcription. I work at home as a transcriptionist. There are general transcription companies, and you can start out with no training other than computer skills and a good grasp of English grammar and punctuation. Another site, Freelance Transcriptionist Road, has a more complete list of companies than the other two.

 

[maelstrom]

Read the forums on the websites I mentioned, in particular the folders for transcription. I work at home as a transcriptionist. There are general transcription companies, and you can start out with no training other than computer skills and a good grasp of English grammar and punctuation. Another site, Freelance Transcriptionist Road, has a more complete list of companies than the other two.

Thank you!!

 

[Hrhpd]

Yes, I would agree that I am "under educated".

I have a long and sordid history with my community college. I would have to say that my biggest barrier is the necessity of taking upper level math courses no matter what the degree program, whether the math has anything to do with the program at all. I've had tutors, extra help, meeting with the teachers, etc. Math is pretty much Greek to me. Worse... it's like trying to learn an obscure African language spoken by three people in the whole world. Math has been a HUGE barrier to me graduating from college. I have enough credits to graduate from the school... more than enough, in fact... just not the ones I need in math and science.

I would not become a CNA. I won't get into why here, I do not want to offend anyone, but that job is not for me. The military is also not for me. I looked into it when I was younger (18-19) and it is not for me.

I appreciate your trying to help, thank you.

Have you met with Disability Services at your college to see if you have a undiagnosed math learning disability? They can help and can set up accomodations. It wouldn't mean you are dumb or stupid, just that you have difficulty understanding the concepts.

That said, you don't sound like you are too desperate for a job.

You don't want to work with people (waitress, CNA, etc)
You don't want to work with children.
You can't or won't drive your husband to work to go job shopping.
You have an excuse for why you cannot do something for every single suggestion people have made for you, except for wanting to work at home and be a MT.

Unfortunately, one cannot always have the perfect job, especially when young. Not saying this is the OP, but I see this attitude in many of the young people today. They don't want to work their way up. They don't want to do the low paying jobs or the not so pleasant ones in order to "pay their dues." Again, not saying this is the OP at all, but the tone of her posts are coming across that way a bit.

As others have said, Stafford loans are not credit based nor will your husband's salary affect the loan. Heck I have known college students whose parents made 6 figures go through school on Stafford loans. Your husband's salary is well within the range to get financial aid.

As you admit, you are under educated for your area. Go get a loan and pursue a degree that not only interests you, but is marketable.

 

[njcarita]

I live an hour-ish north of Manhattan, that's why. The cost of living is VERY HIGH here. My 500 square foot, one bedroom apartment, with fixtures that have not been updated since the late 1950s-mid 1960s (no, I am not exaggerating) costs us $850 per month, and that is the cheapest place in town.

okay not ur original question but have u written out a budget..............we are a family of 5 living an hour from city.....we make about what u do....but I pay a 1000/month for health insurance and about 1200/month mortgage and taxes...it has been tight but doable all these years.......yes we are NOW in credit card debt cause I was ill for a yr........but not knowing your circumstances.....debt etc 2 should be able to make it on that income but once again i dont know your suituation......u dont need to answer me......but maybe if u had a 3rd party look at ur finances they can give u a better look and maybe be able to save for the car or school..............just advice from an middle aged mom of 3 married for 24 years and has had to learn to live on a small income.........

 

[phorsenuf]

I am almost certain that I have a math learning disability. Why none of my teachers suggested this to me... who knows. I will look into it.

I actually didn't mind being a waitress... it was the company I worked for that I hated, not the work itself. A lot of drama, favouritism, issues like the district manager and store manager being brothers and therefore incompetent management was never reprimanded, etc.

I have zero interest in being a CNA. I'm not interested in cleaning up people's bodily functions, bathing them, etc. I do not feel that that makes me a bad person.

I don't like children, children don't like me, and I'm not good with them. Why would I put myself in a job where I would not excel, you know? I think it's good that I know where I would not excel, so that I don't get into a field and then realize, "holy crap, I can't do this".

We cannot afford the gas or wear & tear on the car for me to drive my husband to work every day so I can go to the mall and hand out resumes all day. I can browse Craigslist from home. On a few occasions, my mom has driven me to the mall to hand in applications and resumes (came with a whole folder of resumes to hand in with the applications) and I was dressed as if I were to be interviewed on the spot. That got me one interview, total, in the few times I did it.

-----
For those of you who have been helpful, I thank you. I plan to look into all of your suggestions for Stafford loans, FAFSA, the math disability issue, the forums for Medical Transcriptionists, etc. I very much welcome the wisdom of those of you who have "been there, done that". For those of you who think that I am just some entitled loser who thinks I'm "too good" to "work my way up" and "pay my dues" (I think 10+ years in retail and food service is quite enough of "paying my dues", but whatever), may I politely ask you to shove it.

Nice.

 

[allison443]

I live an hour-ish north of Manhattan, that's why. The cost of living is VERY HIGH here. My 500 square foot, one bedroom apartment, with fixtures that have not been updated since the late 1950s-mid 1960s (no, I am not exaggerating) costs us $850 per month, and that is the cheapest place in town.

An hour north of Manhattan is commutable to Manhattan isn't it? Have you or your dh looked for jobs there? Why are you limiting yourself to the small town where the economy is so bad? From your earlier posts it sounded to me like you lived in some rural area way upstate. I think you have more options than you are giving yourself.

Tons of people commute an hour or so each way to work each day, especially in the NYC area.

Also I think it's good you're going to look at Stafford loans. Since student loans are not dischargeable in bankruptcy except in very rare instances, I think your credit is not an issue. Surprised you never looked into that. That could cover your college tuition at community college.

Good luck to you!

 

[Tinkerbell53]

maelstrom send me a PM. I am a medical transcriptionist and have been for 15 years. I think I can answer some questions for you.

 

[kpadalik]

Look into the Medical Coding program at your local CC. I took 2 semesters of evening classes in 2004-2005, took and passed my national certification test, got a job at our local hospital where I worked for 6 years, and just this year quit my job so I could work from home. I get paid more now than I did when I was working at the hospital, work less (and very flexible) hours, and am very happy in what I consider a growing field. Took me a long time to get to where I am now, but it was so worth it. Good luck!

 

[aaarcher86]

I have been an at-home MT for over 12 years. Please trust me when I say this is a dying trade. Please look into something else. The school, of course, is going to feed you a load of bull to get you to sign up. Do research on-line and you will see what I mean. I make less now than I did 12 years ago due to voice recognition taking over. It is very tough to get a job when you graduate too. they all want experience, which you will not have.

I wish I could 'like' this post 10x.

Expanding on the above post, you may not be able to start from home right away. Many hospitals and offices want people in house for awhile before allowing them to work from home. And again, nearly everyone looking for MT's wants experience.

I work from home now - I can PM you some info if you'd like. It's nothing that will get you a certification or degree you can use in the future, but it would at least help you make money under your circumstances that you could put towards that goal

 

[disykat]

Many people have suggested this to you, but you haven't responded. Are there places near your husband's workplace where you can apply for jobs?

Pack yourself a lunch, drive your husband to work, park the car, and check out every possible place in walking distance that you might be able to work. Write down the business names. The next day stay home and check out all their websites and put in applications. Another day, dress up and take your husband to work again and walk into those businesses and follow up.

No extra gas or wear and tear on the vehicle necessary.

 

[carrie1626]

I work as a medical coder. I have a 2 year degree from an accredited educational institute.


Coders definetly make more $ than transcriptioints ( a dying field as stated).
If you were to go in the coder direction, make sure your classes are accreditied. Otherwise the claim of salary they tell you is somewhat false.


Look at www.ahima.org for more info
or www.aapc.com

 

[Coconut36]

Many people have suggested this to you, but you haven't responded. Are there places near your husband's workplace where you can apply for jobs?

Pack yourself a lunch, drive your husband to work, park the car, and check out every possible place in walking distance that you might be able to work. Write down the business names. The next day stay home and check out all their websites and put in applications. Another day, dress up and take your husband to work again and walk into those businesses and follow up.

No extra gas or wear and tear on the vehicle necessary.

 

[Nayan]

Many people have suggested this to you, but you haven't responded. Are there places near your husband's workplace where you can apply for jobs?

Pack yourself a lunch, drive your husband to work, park the car, and check out every possible place in walking distance that you might be able to work. Write down the business names. The next day stay home and check out all their websites and put in applications. Another day, dress up and take your husband to work again and walk into those businesses and follow up.

No extra gas or wear and tear on the vehicle necessary.

This is what I would do .

 

[Jennasis]

I am almost certain that I have a math learning disability. Why none of my teachers suggested this to me... who knows. I will look into it.

I actually didn't mind being a waitress... it was the company I worked for that I hated, not the work itself. A lot of drama, favouritism, issues like the district manager and store manager being brothers and therefore incompetent management was never reprimanded, etc.

I have zero interest in being a CNA. I'm not interested in cleaning up people's bodily functions, bathing them, etc. I do not feel that that makes me a bad person.

I don't like children, children don't like me, and I'm not good with them. Why would I put myself in a job where I would not excel, you know? I think it's good that I know where I would not excel, so that I don't get into a field and then realize, "holy crap, I can't do this".

We cannot afford the gas or wear & tear on the car for me to drive my husband to work every day so I can go to the mall and hand out resumes all day. I can browse Craigslist from home. On a few occasions, my mom has driven me to the mall to hand in applications and resumes (came with a whole folder of resumes to hand in with the applications) and I was dressed as if I were to be interviewed on the spot. That got me one interview, total, in the few times I did it.

-----
For those of you who have been helpful, I thank you. I plan to look into all of your suggestions for Stafford loans, FAFSA, the math disability issue, the forums for Medical Transcriptionists, etc. I very much welcome the wisdom of those of you who have "been there, done that". For those of you who think that I am just some entitled loser who thinks I'm "too good" to "work my way up" and "pay my dues" (I think 10+ years in retail and food service is quite enough of "paying my dues", but whatever), may I politely ask you to shove it.

I was sympathetic riiiiiiiiight up until here.

 

[ohiomom28]

No, we have no way to get a second car. No money, cannot get approved for a loan due to my husband's poor credit and I have a 2-year-old bankruptcy on my record, and no one will co-sign. Believe me, if we could get another car, it would help us so much!

We do not have the means to move. Moving costs money, which we don't have. Both of our families also live here and we do rely on them a lot for grocery and gas money when we just can't make ends meet some months.

I haven't totally given up on the Pharmacy Technician arena, no. We have no 24-hour pharmacies here. A big problem is that in New York State, you do not have to be Certified to work in a retail pharmacy (Walgreens, Rite-Aid, CVS), so they will hire a non-Certified tech because they can pay them less. You do need to be certified for hospital and nursing home type Tech jobs. My mother-in-law works at the hospital and keeps an ear out for me, but at our hospital anyway, there is very little turnover. I do still keep an eye on Craigslist for Tech jobs.

You might want to check on a loan..my in laws just bought a house with a 2 year old bankruptcy. How much was the transcription school? I just graduated from LPN school and it cost me $15000. Also, what about a Nurse aide training..its around $600 and 2 weeks long

Posted from DISboards app from Android