Radiology Forums

loriville · Joined: 09 Jun 2008 Posts: 3 Location: chandler,az

Hello! I am so excited to make my first post here Very Happy

. I am a 37 yr old mom of 3 (ages 14, 8, & 8 ), and I am currently waiting, waiting, waiting! I finished all of my prerequisites in Dec. 06 & was placed on the waitlist at that time. In the meantime, I have finished all of my corequisites as well. I am waiting for entrance into Gateway Community College. The first number I received was 462, then last summer I moved to 351. I am waiting anxiously for my new number to see how much longer I will be waiting to start. At this point I feel like I will be ready to retire by the time I graduate & my brain is certainly not getting younder either Laughing

I have been trying to think of what I can do in the meantime, I am afraid I won't remember a thing I have learned by the time I start, plus I can't wait that long to get a job and at least try to make some money before I start. I started looking into certifying in phlebotomy- I thought this could be something I can do while waiting? I was looking up where I can get certified & saw that Pima Medical Institute offers an 11 week course. Of course while I was looking, I noticed they also have a radiography course. I had to submit a request for info for both programs, and now I have to go for a "seminar" to get any additional info. I tried to find out some info online & it sounds as if I could POSSIBLY get into the Pima program much sooner, but at a HUGE difference in price. We are not floating in money, so the financial aspect would be very difficult, but we might be able to get a loan so I could start sooner. I am wondering though at the quality difference in the programs- I have heard so many good things about Gateway. Also, I am not sure what would happen with all the pre- & co- requisites I have taken already?

If anyone can fill me in on either of the programs, or knows anything that can help me? I am going to the information seminar this Thursday so I would like to go in armed with a little knowledge Smile

Thanks!!!

Lori

wildwestcats · Joined: 22 Feb 2008 Posts: 7 Location: Arizona

Hi Lori -

I just started the 2nd year of the Gateway program. I was on the waiting list for about 3 years and was going to have to wait another year but for some reason they had to scramble to fill spots this year.

Once I knew I'd be on a waiting list for a while (and I had those prereqs to finish before I could even get on the list), I went to Pima Medical Institute and went through their medical assisting program. If you wanted to do something like phlebotomy, then Phoenix College offers a much less expensive course. It shares some of the same pre-reqs as the rad program, so you'd be already halfway there. Also, Gateway offers a Health Unit Coordinating certificate program which is only one semester long. I did that, too. I think you can make slightly more as a HUC than a phlebotomist but I do think there are more jobs available as a phlebotomist.

Yes, you could probably get into Pima quicker. The downside to Pima other than the cost is that the degree you get from them is not transferrable to any state university. They have a deal with a couple of online college programs but where it can be transferred is very limited.

Gateway does have a good reputation but Pima seems to turn out techs who are just as good. Some places have a preference for one school's graduates over another but overall I think the quality of education that you're going to get will be the same.

Tiffany

loriville · Joined: 09 Jun 2008 Posts: 3 Location: chandler,az

Thank you so much for the reply, you gave me a lot to think about!

loriville · Joined: 09 Jun 2008 Posts: 3 Location: chandler,az

Ok, I have done some digging today. I called Phoenix college & their phlebotomy program is booked for the Fall but the Medical Assistant program is available. Gateway also has the HUC program open for the Fall. Which program do you think has been or will be more helpful to you with Radiography? I am new to all of this, so any advice is greatly appreciated.

hjhogle · Moderator Joined: 23 May 2006 Posts: 608 Location: CT

"Some places have a preference for one school's graduates over another "

Actually, wildwestcats, employers do not care where you trained. They don't care that you aced positioning and they don't care what your scores were on the national exam. They want to know only that you're certified (have passed the national exam).

Any of the programs mentioned sound fine. None of them relate to radiograhy. The skills themselves will not be particularly useful, however... you will become more familiar and comfortable with the healthcare environment, and being around patients.

Good luck to you
hjh, RT