Mary Ruff-King

In the late 1980s, I was working as a word processor for a company that produced medical equipment, among other products. The division of the company for which I worked produced audio and video products to help nurses improve their performance and assessment of patients.

I was passionate about my work; I worked with a group of nurses who were absolutely incredible. These ladies traveled to various hospitals all over the United States, instructing hospital personnel how to implement the nursing assessment system that the hospital had purchased from our division. As the sole word processor for that small division, it was my responsibility to type all letters, forms, audio transcripts, and manuals; this was somewhat of a daunting challenge as I supported seven nurses with varying travel schedules and time constraints.

As I continued to hone my word processing skills, I started to ask myself some important questions. Did I always want to be a word processor? Was there more I wanted to do and could do? I soon became aware that I was restless and needed more of a challenge. I also wanted to make a difference. After assessing my strengths and weaknesses, I decided to investigate the field of medical transcription.

Perhaps you find yourself wanting more out of your professional life too. Are you in a dead-end job that is sucking the life out of you? Do you feel inconsequential, like you are just another cog in the wheel? Or perhaps you are like so many others who want to control their own destiny, work their own hours, and make a difference in the world. From my own experience I can honestly say once that entrepreneurial spirit is uncorked, there is no pushing that genie back into the bottle.

While continuing to work a full-time job, I attended a medical terminology course at a local junior college. I learned 2,500 medical terms in about eight weeks, not an easy task. Then I proceeded to take two medical transcription courses, again while working full time. I landed my first medical transcription job prior to completion of the second transcription course.

In this blog, you will learn the ropes of becoming a medical transcriptionist from someone who has been in the trenches and has made a good living doing so. There is no hype or gloss in what I tell you. In fact, by “telling it like it is,” I hope to discourage those who would just get into this field thinking they can make a fast buck.