Radiology Forums

rad.danette · Joined: 13 Aug 2007 Posts: 1 Location: Crestview, Fl

Hi,
Currently, I am a radiography student (AS) with only 2 semesters left of school. I have researched alot about education but I have only become more frustrated. I have a lot of questions concerning how furthuring radiographic education works. Please do not be discouraged by the size and look of this post. If you have an answer to ANY of
these questions I would grealy appreciate your time!
Thank you!

1) What is the point of having a BS in Radiography? I keep hearing that there is no pay difference. Is this true?

2) When I finish my A.S. should I get a certificate in a specialization or should I try to get a BS in a specialization if I plan to get a BS anyways?

3) When choosing a BS degree is it better to pick a generalized one such as Medical Imaging/Radiologic Sciences or should I pick a BS degree that speciaizes such as Nuclear Medicine or Radiation Therapy.
-- What if I plan on getting a Masters? (Radiologist Assistant).

4) If I get a BS in Radiologic Sciences can I automatically take registries to work as a CT, MRI, or Nuc Medicine tech? Or do I still have to take separate certificate programs?

5) Is it easier to get a job as a Nuclear Medicine, MRI, or Radiation Therapist Technologist? Why?

6) What types of Radiography BS degrees are out there? What are there differences? (ex. Radiologic Sciences vs Health Sciences)

Once again, thank you for your time and input.

hjhogle · Moderator Joined: 23 May 2006 Posts: 609 Location: CT

Whoa! You got yourself all worked up, don't you? Remember to breathe.

1-if you are working as a general radiographer, then you are paid as a general radiographer ... doesn't matter what kind of degree you have. The pay difference between a 2- and 4-year degree is in your future, not your present. Do you want to eventually go into management or education? You will be able to do that MUCH more easily if you already have a 4-year degree.

4-If you get a BS in the Radiologic Sciences, NO. You do not get to "automatically" take the certifications for advanced modalities. As always, there are clinical hour requirements to becoming eligible to sit those exams (just as there is for general Radiography), and earning a BS/BA will not address those clinical requirements. You must still do additional training.

As for the rest of your questions ... What do you want? Why are you here? Do you want to craft a lifelong career in imaging, or are you looking for something else? Are you interested primarily in the highest-paying position you can find? Are you interested at all the other modalities you mentioned?

"When I finish my A.S. should I get a certificate in a specialization" - by all means ... but you need to spend a year or so in general radiography and get some basic experience. Then enter a program for CT or MRI and sit those exams when you're qualified to do so.

"What if I plan on getting a Masters? (Radiologist Assistant)" Well, do you plan it?

You sound as though you want some group of anonymous folks to come up with the "right" answer for you. You'd do a lot better to invest your energy into figuring out what YOU want.

If you don't know what that is? Then work for a while in the field and experience will show you.

shinta · Joined: 22 Aug 2007 Posts: 9

reading this gives me some more insight onto the subject. i wouldnt mind the pay but i would like to help people. makes me feel warm inside. also i think it would be pretty exciting working with people and meating new and familiar faces. same applies for my girlfriend. they pay i believe is almost double if not more than mine. but she wants to see the same familiar faces when she works. so i believe it will be an enjoyable experience for both of us.

aside from work i do have hobbies that require some funding so which ever leads me to a higher pay roll would give me a great advantage having fun at work and at home.
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Here to Learn. to see if i could make this my career. is this what i should do for the rest of my life? not in it for the money. im in it to lean new things.