Nursing or Radiology Tech...Change Career

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Well, I have been interested in healthcare and I regret now I didnt persue it when I was working on my udnergrad degree. Now I have an Associate in Science in General Studies and a Bachelor of Business Admin in Management and Information Systems. I am working on a MBA but don't know if I should complete all of it now. I work in the IT industry which is not promising!

I am wanting to go back to get in the healthcare field which will mean full time school

I am torn between getting an ADN or going to get an AS in Radiology.

As far as pay and job opportunities goes, which is more marketable? I've no healthcare experience. There are 2 radiology programs where I am at but they admit onlt once a year for like 15-30 students.

Radiology seems interesting bc you can specialize in alot but I guess as a Radiology Tech you will always be at the low end of the totem pole?

Help me please!

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Psych.

Hi Nurseguy2005,

I graduated in 1990 with an AS in Rad Tech. I only practiced for ~5 years before I left the field to have my children. I decided not to return to RT and instead pursue a career in Nursing... I will graduate in May 2006 :)

Rad Tech is a very interesting field. With your IT background, you would be a good candidate for PACS administration.

My personal reason for leaving Radiology was the limited patient contact. It was often like an assembly line. Also, there was zero patient teaching opportunities in Radiology, which is why I went into Nursing.

As far as job outlook, the RT field does occasionally get saturated. However, there are periods of high demand. Starting salaries are up there now and in some areas comparable to a starting salary for an RN.

It really depends on what you want to do... if you are looking for patient care and teaching, I would go for Nursing.

Good luck to you and feel free to PM me any specific questions.

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Radiology seems interesting bc you can specialize in alot but I guess as a Radiology Tech you will always be at the low end of the totem pole?

Help me please!

I would suggest that you go for nursing-it would be much more marketable than a Rad Tech-you would have lots of opportunities to specialize, help people, have patient contact and make a difference-plus the income would likely be higher than an Rad Tech. Plus, to be honest, there is a big push (at least in the mid-atlantic states) to have more men become nurses; If you have the degrees you listed, you should look into a BSN program, because you likely have most of the pre-reqs (General Education) requirements done-except for micro and A&P-you may be able to finish a BSN in the time it would take you finish an ADN. There are several universities in my area that offer programs specifically for people who have a BS to streamline into a BSN in like 18-24mos...

In reference to your "totem pole" question, I was a CST for 15 years-about equal to a Rad Tech; we were considered "Nursing Support" or "Ancillary Staff"-necessary, important, needed, but one-step below the RN's-not in a bad way, just in a practical way.

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I had thought Nursing was more marketable..Im just scared I wont get into a Nursing program..I miught be able to get into LPN program..not sure yet...

BUt how much do Radiology Techs make?

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Psych.

Rad Techs in my area of MA start around $20-22/hour. Check out www.salary.com for more specific salaries in your area.

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That is good money for a Tech...bout the same I guess for an LPN....

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I had thought Nursing was more marketable..Im just scared I wont get into a Nursing program..I miught be able to get into LPN program..not sure yet...

BUt how much do Radiology Techs make?

I guess I am being pushy-but really, don't be scared, and go after at least your ADN-All you can do is try-don't not try because you are scared-I did that for years and finally went back at 40-very scared, and now I am a Nurse-If I did it, :yelclap: You can do it!

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