confuzed!!!!!

jnc0713 · Joined: 25 Aug 2008 Posts: 1 Location: usa

hi I am new to this site. Just need some input and hope someone can help me. I am 33yrs old just starting back at my local cc. Currently registered for their RN program-possible 2011 acceptance. My dilema is that i recently been considering radiology with eventually going into radiation therapy. I know a RN is a great field to go into (wages, stable job market, etc) but i'm afraid that RN doesnt fit with my personality. I want to go into the medical field, I want to care & make a difference in people's lives which nursing seemed the logical choice. But doing x-ray seems more like me. I live in NJ and have seen quite a few jobs out there, so i think the prospects are good. Am i making the right decision but switching??? The current CC i'm going to doesnt offer radiology-would have to commute an hour or so. How is the salary? for x-ray tech? for radiation therapists??? Im thinking of takeing the general ed course where i am now then transferring into the rad program. has anyone done this??? any advise/input would be greatly appreciated.
thanks
cristi

Funny Bones · Joined: 09 Sep 2006 Posts: 21

RT salaries vary with geographic location. The current RT job market seems to be somewhat saturated. Many old-timers say that employment demand for RT's is cyclical. This makes sense considering the upcoming retirement wave of baby boomers.

Nursing is in high demand and pays well. It's also dirty, highly stressful, and requires less and less patient interaction. Definitely, not for me.

My suggestion is to job shadow at your local hospital for a couple of days -- check everything out. Don't be shy and ask LOTS of questions. The answer should become obvious.

If you can temporarily relocate for school, I would suggest checking out Salt Lake City, UT. Weber State University offers a 5-semester rad program, as well as BS programs in all modalities. The University of Utah Hospital/ Medical School offers very reasonably-priced 6-month certificate programs in all modalites, including Rad Therapy, at a world-reknowned cancer hospital.

http://weber.edu/radsci/
http://medicine.utah.edu/radiology/technologist/Programs/index.htm

Also to note: In my RT program, ALL six students at my clinical site were offered PRN employment during their program, and full-time employment afterwards.

So, in a nutshell:

1. Job shadow x-ray and all modalities, as well as nursing (med-surg, ICU, ER, OR, etc), at two different hospitals.

2. Get through an RT program as fast as possble. Relocate is you have to.

3. Specialize in a modality.