[Ashley]

Hi, I am 37 and considering a career change. I have all my prereqs done and am trying to decide which program to apply for. My husband could be transferred for his job like 6 mths after I graduate from one of these programs. I am worried that I will have a problem getting a job if I graduate and have hardly any experience and a different state isnt familiar with the program I went thru. I shadowed in both programs and was way more impressed with the hospital based program. It just seemed like their standards were higher to get in and it jsut seemed very orgranized. But of course I wont have an AS in radiography. But I do have a BA in business management. but I sure that wont help me any. Does anyone know if I pass the cert exam, what happens if I move to another state? Do you just take it again in that state? Is it not a good idea to do hospital based? I know it is a harder program to get into. Any advice would be much apprecited! I also worry that if and when they interview me they will think I am too old to start this program.

[lmh47]

The hospital based program doesnt link up with a community college and give you the AS degree.
My hospital based program does, so i assumed everyone of them did, thats interesting.

they will not think your too old, They might like the fact that your more mature and know what you want.

[Ashley]

Well this is what it says I am not sure what it means, maybe I need to look into it further. So is this a bad idea?
The hospital based program has this posted :
Graduates meet the eligibility requirements to qualify for the national certification examination of the American Registry of Radiologic Technologist. Many colleges confer credit toward a degree in Radiology upon the student's certification by the American Registry for Radiologic Technologists and completion of a JRCERT - accredited program. Does not confer college credit.

[hjhogle]

Hospital-based programs do not link up with community college programs - that's why they're called 'hospital-based'. If your program is linked with a community college and you'll earn an AA or AS at the end of the program, that it is considered a community college-based program.

That said. If you already have a 4-year degree, it isn't necessary for you to earn an AA in anything. The degree will become important in later years if you decide to move into management or education .. and you already have a 4-year degree.

Employers do not care where you went to school. Yes, it's important to YOU, as you decide which program best meets your needs. But all a prospective employer cares about is - are you nationally certified (ARRT)? National certification (earned by successfully passing the ARRT exam) and annual registration (paying a fee to the ARRT) is not altered by moving from state to state.

You will have to take note of state licensure. In most states, you are not required to take an additional exam, but you will have to provide proof of ARRT certification. Any state government which requires a state license will have information available to you.

The ARRT website has a list of state contacts here:
http://arrt.org/index.html?content=licensing/statecontacts.htm


hjh, RT

[Ashley]

Thank you for all the info. So are you saying that if I eventually want to go into teaching or management etc, that I dont need a 4 year degree in radiography? They might just accept my experience and my BA in business? Also, if I want to specialize in MRI, I know that you need to get on the job training but do you also need to do classes or be certified? Is it hard to get someone to give you training? Thanks for your help!