Just a slight unscheduled freak out LOL

[lovemy6monkeys]

My books and everything for my transcription course arrived today. Full of mysterious big words and even bigger books. My kids were aghast at how thick the books are...which made me smile as I was secretly aghast also :-)

So, now I'm sitting here, getting more and more nervous. Did I just make a very expensive mistake?? I'm going to be starting the course on Monday. My older kids last full day of school is Tuesday. Wednesday & Thursday they will all be home by 11am.

In the craziness of the day-to-day life as the stay at home mom of 6 kids, I'm wondering when in the world will I find time to study and do school work? Ugh! I should have started the courses months ago so I could be in a studying routine by the time school is out.

Ok, enough freaking out. Time to pull myself together and figure out a plan. My thought right now is to take advantage of how the last round of steroids threw off my sleep schedule, and embrace the 4am wake ups. Just me, a hot cup of coffee, and my laptop for 2-3 hours of quiet time to get school work done before anyone else wakes up.

*I can do this....I can do this...I can do this...LOL*
~Jess

[lovemy6monkeys]

Thank you for the support everyone!

Terri & Joanna, thank you very much for the "insider" information! I am a bit worried about availability of jobs that is part of the reason I'm so nervous, but I think it is a gamble worth taking. In my area there are 4 large hospitals (one a teaching hospital) and thousands of doctors. I'm not going into this with the mindset of supporting the family, I just want to add to the finances, have more money for fun things. Maybe take some of the financial burden off my husband....

I hope you all have a wonderful Monday! I'm so grateful to have this board :-)
~Jess

[mlwmom]

I agree with everything Terri said. I have been a transcriptionist for a little over 11 years, and my husband didn't think it would last more than two. My daughter is 11 and knows to "let mom work"...

I started when my daughter was on the way and am still going strong. My thought is that you need to pursue a field where voice recognition is a detriment to those doctors who still want to provide a lot of background info and details on their patients. I have had a scare twice where the office wanted to go to voice recognition and their best doctors tried it and said, forget it.

I currently transcribe for a pediatric neurosurgery practice (yes, very specialized) and things are going well. I have time for myself and time to volunteer at my daughter's school. THe office manager hates it when I go on vacation!

Seriously, I have only one child, and I can't even imagine trying this with SIX, but truly it will all work out for the best. I can't speak to the coding market currently, but depending on where you live, it may be a good move. I'm in Atlanta, so plenty of work to go around, but many people work far away from their home.

Best wishes!
Joanna

[tjj3761]

Hi,

It is great that you are continuing your education.

I have been a medical transcriptionist now for almost 30 years.

About 15 years ago, it was said that our jobs would be lessoned due to voice recognition.  We all said, no way.

Well as it turned out, they were right.  The voice recognition has changed so many things in our field.

I do not want to scare you from pursuing this field, but I personally feel that coding is a great area to get into.  A few years ago, I was on my way to pursuing a degree in coding, but that is when I got sick.

I have been home-based now for over 10 years.  It is wonderful, especially if you have small children.  Mine are grown.  

Now with the voice recognition, you have to "edit reports" and it can be very daunting on your eyes because there are large blocks of paragraphs you must edit.  I also personally have right arm weakness, which is starting to slow me down speed-wise.

I just wanted to let you know this information.  Also, a lot of hospitals have outsourced to transcription companies and a majority of them pay by the line.  

You definitely can do this, but I just wanted to help you out with some info.

Bye....

terri

[RedFlame]

I think you definately have sound advice given here.  Also remember that as we get older we typically learn quicker becuase we can concentrate fore.  

I was once told that for each year in our age you add one minute--that is how long we can hold our attention.  I dont know if it is true or not.  

Anyway, good luck---you can do this!  

[Sparkysarah]

Hi Jess

Just to say that I think the key to studying as an adult (and one who has 6 kids deserves additoiinal congratulations for multi-tasking) it to look at your motivation. You have chosen to do this and no-one has made you so you will find the time somehow as Alex suggested.

You will do fiine and I am sure that the satifsfaction you get from studying will outweigh the difficult times when you feel tired and stressed. Go for it girl.

Love Sarah xxx

[HVAC]

Jess
When I went back to trade school to get my HVAC degree I was in a women returning to work program. I had to take a course which was more geared to single mothers. Basically you started by writing done an exact schedule of a normal day. Then you learned to schedule in study time. For me I had two jobs and was going to school. I learned there are many fifteen minute dead times here and there and to use them.

I also learned to not look at the big picture it is too overwhelming. Only think about a chapter at a time. It will take discipline. Also you need to set up ground rules with your children this is Mom's work time. May be have a room with the door closed or a do not disturb sign and they can't bother you.

Alex

[siv1]

Education is everything and the first step is the hardest, now that you have bought the books, you are on the track. Just don't stress your self and make it worse especially since stress and us are not good combination.

[Guitar_grrrl]

I think you chose well - health care is less prone to economic woes than most other occupations, and since baby boomers like me are getting old and more or less decrepit, there will be lots of work.  I know you can do this!  I have complete faith in you!

Guitar_grrrl
Echocardiographer, 30 years this year!

[addicted2harleys]

I have faith in you....you can do this...you can do this!!

I am on that early wake up call right now, too....so I can always message you and say, "Get to studyin', girlfriend!"

No wait!!  I am a couple hours behind you!  lol  Heck, I am still up at night when you get up in the am with our time difference....so I can still message you!  lol

It is just your jittery nerves....YOU CAN DO THIS!  And, you will do beautifully....

Hugs,
Addi