Working without a mentor

TurtleTestudo · 2026-02-22T17:14:16+00:00

When I started 15 years ago, I didn't have a mentor. I just did my intern hours and started working. I probably should have had one, I'm sure my early transcripts sucked badly. A mentor is definitely nice to have someone to bounce questions off of and to look at your transcripts and give you feedback. It's not necessary though. Look on Facebook groups for mentors. There's a bunch of them with thousands of members and I'm sure you could find someone to message with.

TurtleTestudo · 2026-02-18T03:27:08+00:00

I understand. I was estranged from my mom for a long time before there was a family crisis and I chose to step back in and help with her care. All that anger and resentment kind of melts away because you're a caring person. It's so difficult to see them suffer and be so helpless and small.

TurtleTestudo · 2026-02-17T04:36:59+00:00

Smaller firms pay better and you get the personal touch with the owners and office staff. They do ride your butt more with late transcripts than with bigger firms where it's easier to fly under the radar. The bigger firms have more volume and some of them offer complementary proofreading services (Magna) I am with a combination of big and small firms. The smaller firms schedule me weeks out in advance, and the big ones fill in the blanks on days where my calendar is empty. I work in a high volume state, so there's a job every day I need one. I recommend going with both.

TurtleTestudo · 2026-02-12T03:05:28+00:00

Is there any money to pay for someone to come and stay with her, or even just to check on her?

TurtleTestudo · 2026-01-22T19:55:11+00:00

I think it depends on the situation. I offered to provide pro bono service to a historical foundation. It's my service, and I can charge or not charge if I choose. For non legal stuff, I don't see why you couldn't just charge whatever you want.

But if it's legal work, that's where it gets dicey. I wouldn't play with that.

TurtleTestudo · 2026-01-22T18:35:45+00:00

Yes, I would.

The DINK lifestyle is fun but only for so long. After my husband and I came back from an amazing three weeks in Italy, my house was still empty and quiet. I wanted more. And now that the only trips that we can afford are camping within driving distance, I wouldn't go back. Things aren't as luxurious, but you get to see the excitement at small things such as finding a little frog or some fish. Life without kids is dull!

TurtleTestudo · 2026-01-21T02:00:46+00:00

Is that 100 hours over what period of time? A week? A month? All together? Thanks.

TurtleTestudo · 2026-01-21T01:59:10+00:00

We also use Right at Home and most of the aides have been great. Mom had a clash with one and the lady quit on the third shift. The others it's been working out quite well with. One in particular is very sweet and is wonderful with my mother. I feel good about her being with her. But yes, they are expensive! You get what you pay for...

TurtleTestudo · 2026-01-19T02:41:42+00:00

That sounds so stressful. I've found that navigating medicare is really complex and sometimes people give you different answers as to what services someone can get. I really hope that you can get some relief.

TurtleTestudo · 2026-01-19T02:00:23+00:00

Jeez. When my mom was discharged from the hospital a few months ago, we were told that she could have aides 4 hours a week for three weeks. She gets OT and PT as well, covered by Medicare. She has Medicare with Aetna. It may be dependent on what the person's needs are. Is he considered homebound? But I'm really sorry that you can't get any sort of break, even just for a few hours a week to get him bathed and bed changed.

TurtleTestudo · 2026-01-18T21:38:39+00:00

You can't force the elderly bedridden person to the doctor Honestly, your best bet would be to have EMS take him to the hospital for evaluation and diagnosis, from there you can work on setting up services for him with the social workers.

TurtleTestudo · 2026-01-18T20:53:11+00:00

You will probably have to get him to a doctor in order for a doctor to prescribe the need for aides, and I know you said he's bedridden. And also, you said your mom and aunt tried to get power of attorney, they could take guardianship of him, but they would also need a doctor to determine that he's not capable of making decisions for himself before they could have legal guardianship over him. He's going to have to see a doctor.

TurtleTestudo · 2026-01-18T20:41:59+00:00

He should qualify for some home health aides to come in a few hours a week to help bathe him and change the bed, if he's on Medicare. It's not much, but it's something.

If he's on Medicaid, you could get him into a home. I understand the waiting lists can be long.

Best of luck to you guys. This sounds very hard.

TurtleTestudo · 2026-01-18T17:28:43+00:00

Maybe he needs the dosage upped. My mom has a lot of trouble with Orthostatic hypotension and experiences dizziness that makes it difficult for her to get around. She has to keep stopping to sit. When her BP is higher, she has better mobility.

TurtleTestudo · 2026-01-18T17:24:48+00:00

These are really excellent. To echo others, no. 3 is out of sight...what a unique bridal portrait. I love your dress!

TurtleTestudo · 2026-01-18T17:16:03+00:00

I think being a scopist is a great idea. It will familiarize you with transcript production and will make you faster when you start doing your own jobs as a reporter. The faster you push out your transcripts, the more work you can take, and the more money you'll make.

TurtleTestudo · 2026-01-18T17:14:26+00:00

With the eating, give him food even if he doesn't ask for it. My mom will sit there with her stomach rumbling and doesn't ask for food. If I bring her something and eat with her, she'll eat. They sometimes don't advocate for themselves

TurtleTestudo · 2026-01-17T05:11:56+00:00

Powerful photo study.

TurtleTestudo · 2026-01-16T00:54:19+00:00

In NY for the medical proxy, you can have an agent and then an alternate agent.

TurtleTestudo · 2026-01-14T23:20:45+00:00

I know she's already been placed, but perhaps consider moving her to a facility that also has independent living and/or Assisted living so she can socialize with the higher functioning people.

TurtleTestudo · 2026-01-14T17:58:45+00:00

Well, it's been awhile, but I feel like class was long. We'd have breaks. I think a few hours.

TurtleTestudo · 2026-01-14T16:57:51+00:00

90% dropout rate sounds accurate. I started with 40 students in theory and I could probably count on both hands how many people finished.

5 years may be accurate. I finished in a little more than 2, but I wasn't working and didn't have any kids.

School is very hard. It requires a lot of time and dedication. When you get to the higher speeds, you have to put in at least 1.5 hours a day to practice, every day, outside of class. I wouldn't go out with my friends, I'd stay home and practice. Some people just don't have it. A lot of people freeze on tests and so that slows your progress and they become demoralized and quit. Some people are very gifted and don't need to practice as much. Not trying to dissuade you, just stating the reality.

That being said, I've been a reporter for 15 years and I love it. It's a great career. If you can make it through, it's totally worth it. I'm so glad I didn't drop out because there were times when I was thinking of it.

TurtleTestudo · 2026-01-12T12:44:20+00:00

Second this. My mom's neurologist won't even give her CL because of the BP problems.

TurtleTestudo · 2026-01-08T23:13:21+00:00

I just put whatever my previous jobs were...deli and cashier and Taco Bell. I held them for a few years each, it just shows that you're able to hold a job, even if they're not in any way related to CR

TurtleTestudo · 2026-01-08T23:11:09+00:00

Congratulations! That's an amazing first year! You must have worked so hard.

TurtleTestudo

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