The MT (Medical Transcriptionist) Training Experience

The graduation and Nursing Licensure Exam are all done.  But after that, the big and terrifying question is, "What's next?"  Me and this good friend of mine were talking about serious things one time like dreams, goals in life and well of course our career path. He opened up about something that I'm not that so familiar of, that I even forget it time after time.  

“Why do you keep on asking me about it, it’s MEDICAL TRANSCRIPTIONIST!”

Well I cannot blame him for that, like I said, I’m not familiar on that field.  But basing on to the term that he said, I guess it is all about typing out the words from an audio file.  Since I love typing and computer stuff I tried to ask him about where I can have the training.  So he gave me the information regarding this. Since Kathlene, my friend from college also was interested with the training; we then decided to enroll ourselves for the training.  But, disappointment came when I realized that we both were in the waiting list because it was fully booked.  So hopes and prayers were in my head that time, wishing that we can still attend the training.  Then one night as I was about to go to sleep, I received a text saying that we can attend the orientation.  I was puzzled.  Meanwhile, I called Kathlene to confirm if it really is true.  “YES, it is true!”  I was startled.  I cannot explain the feeling that I have that time.  But then again, I doubted the text and the answer from Kathlene.  It was just so hard for me to believe everything.  I decided to call someone behind that text I received in the middle of the night .  His voice (Sir Marc's) was so professional. I was imagining him to be that cool and serious type.  And again, he said “Yes, you both can attend the orientation.”  Finally, after 3 times saying those “yes”, the spirit of excitement slowly turned back to normal.

The day of the orientation came.  But I had no idea regarding the venue of the orientation (I felt so dumb for not asking where the venue is!).  That time I was lost.  I went to CAP building then to TESDA office and then again to CAP building.  Just imagine me rushing everything, thinking that I’m almost 5 minutes late.  This “lost experience” of mine is just the perfect example of what too much excitement can do to me.  I learned from this.  So next time, I need to bring myself back to reality and set aside all those eagerness first.

That guy from the other line when I called in the middle of night that I described as that serious type turned out to be the jolly and good-humored guy.  He made the orientation great we introduced ourselves then called it a day.

We were many at first but then the number decreased.  I guess it is because of the schedule, the typing, and some other reasons.  Typing is really hard at first.  I know, because I've been there.  I was so slow in typing way back 2 years ago, but after some practice you can then be that “touch typist.”  Hearing tests were also hard but the hardest part among all is the transcribing itself.  Those different accents, those words that are so hard to fathom, those different guidelines that we need to follow, those days when we press F4, F7 and many more function keys, and those great times when I have learned other short cut keys—some were really hard at first but the good side is that we have learned.  Like what people say, it takes time to master everything.  So, we have practiced typing and transcribing by having different exercises. 

After or even during some exercises, we had some bonding moments--eating lunch with my classmates and talking about almost everything.  That is one of the good sides of training.  We get to meet new, cool, jolly and God-fearing friends.

I cannot describe the feeling that we had when we were together.  We laugh at simple things and I even learned different expressions from them “baknang, nauyaw!”  (Ilocano words for rich and judgmental). Maybe you will not find it to be hilarious at all.  But, the funny thing with these words is the way they delivered them and those words kept me laugh and it reminded me of them. 

The experience I had at CTEISI was overwhelming.  

Sometimes in life, it is not just about the learning, it is also about the laughs and the moments that you friends have been through.   

If there is one thing that I’m sure enough, it is that I will miss them and that I will treasure those moments that I have been with them.

Thank you Kathlene, ate May Ann, ate Harolyn, Rhodesa, Jonalyn, Gladys, and lastly Ma’am Julie and Sir Marc! :D