Radiology Forums

MTteach · Joined: 03 Oct 2006 Posts: 8 Location: Massachusetts

I’ve been a medical transcriptionist (certified) for 10 years and a teacher of the same for about 4 years. I enjoy it, but I have become really interested in radiology and would love to train and switch careers. I’ve looked into it and realize that the AS degree required is a VERY intensive course (total of 90 credits, give or take, in community colleges around here). Would it be totally unrealistic of me to think I could do this training AND hold down a full-time job? I work from my home office, and my hours are totally flexible; I could do all my teaching and MT work in the middle of the night if I wanted to. But still. The clinicals (40 hours a week through the summer, 24+ per week most of the rest of the time, along with the actual college work) would make this impossible, right? I just don’t think I can afford to cut down my hours much AND pay for college.

I’m also pretty late in the game – 49 years old, but I have had a life-long love of the medical field and of learning. My kids are almost grown, the youngest being 16, so the family’s demands on my time are gradually getting fewer. There had to be SOME silver lining, right?

Be brutally honest – I’m ready to duck!

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

You are NOT TOO OLD! I'm 48 this year (how on earth did that happen?) and still making changes in my career.

I think it would be really tough, though, to get through a Radiography program and hold down a job. The didactic can be tough, and clinical takes a lot of focus and energy. I'm trying to think, though ... I read somewhere about grants .. grants for women returning to school, grants for people changing careers.

Let's see. Try doing a search of - Rotary Club International, use the inet to search on 'educational grants for women' or 'women's educational grant'. There's money out there, but you have to look for it.

GOOD LUCK!! Your current position will put you ahead of the game - you're already familiar with the terminology, and that'll help a lot.

hjh

MTteach · Joined: 03 Oct 2006 Posts: 8 Location: Massachusetts

Thanks so much for the reply, and the vote of confidence. I did do some searches regarding grants, as you said, but I don’t think there is much chance, as they all seem to be for low-income applicants. We are not exactly on the bread line, but you know how it is—you have a second income for a few years and soon “live up” to it. I would be happy to tighten my belt for a couple of years. Now I just have to work on DH, who thinks I’m kinda crazy to want to change careers yet again. I have always regretted not having gone to college for a degree (through no fault of my own), and he has never quite understood that as I have had a lot of college-level instruction over the years and he says I am well educated already. Oh well…. I can probably twist him around my little finger. I’ll keep working on it, and in the meantime I’ll enjoy this forum. Cool

MissE · Moderator Joined: 29 Jun 2006 Posts: 148 Location: Ohio

Hello MTteach! Don't give up! Have you tried to get a sponsorship through your local or surrounding hospital?? I'm not familiar with Mass. but the hospitals around here offer college sponsorships which pays for tuition, books, supplies, almost anything you need, but you have to give them the first few years of your career which is not a bad thing. Of course there is always the reliable student loan! Wink

Good luck!
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Hocking College Radiology Rocks!

MTteach · Joined: 03 Oct 2006 Posts: 8 Location: Massachusetts

Thanks, MissE. That sounds like a wonderful idea. Any hints on how I would go about it? Are there specific channels to go through? You'd think as a medical transcriptionist I would have some contacts, wouldn't you? Sigh. That's one of the disadvantages to working from home--you end up kind of isolated.