Decisions, decisions.

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What a fantastic site this is! I've been avidly reading for a while and hope I can get some opinions to help me with my decision. I've been torn between rad tech and RN training for a while.

I'm female and 50 (gulp) but a young 50, if that's not a contradiction in terms.

What "put me off" nursing when I was trying to choose a field was my age, because I heard about a lot of older rad tech students--not so much nurses.

I have all my pre-reqs and most of the general ed requirements out of the way or being worked on (for rad tech, most of which are the same for nursing).

Have no problems so far with school but am not too sure how technically minded I am, so I worry a bit about that in the radiography field.

I did a one-day job shadow in a radiology department and enjoyed it.

Both programs are extremely competitive to get into, so there's no real difference there. I just feel that I'm too old to make the wrong choice. So.... does anyone have an idea about the best fit for me--rad tech or RN?

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It is a tough choice. If age is the only factor hindering your decision I would not let that stop you. There are a lot of non-traditional nursing students, you'd be surprised. I am 33 and there are several women older than myself in my nursing classes. I don't feel out of place at all. Maybe you should shadow a RN as well to see how you like it. There are pros and cons to both professions, make a list for yourself and see if that helps. I don't know but I would think a rad tech job would be less stressful. The reason I chose nursing over other healthcare professions is because I like the variety. I think I would get bored doing the same thing day in and day out. I like the endless job opportunities available to me if I need a change. I hope you find the right fit for you!

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Thanks for your input. I am leaning more and more towards nursing, and the variety is definitely something that appeals. Wish me luck (you too!)

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Thanks for your input. I am leaning more and more towards nursing, and the variety is definitely something that appeals. Wish me luck (you too!)

In my class of 24 nursing students, there are 2 under 30's, 16 in the 30's, 2 in late 40's, and 4 in early to mid 50's..... you only live once and regret can bite you in the you know what for a lifetime...

GO FOR IT>... There IS a nursing shortage ya know...wink wink....

GREAT LUCK in your decision making process.

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Good luck...and make sure you let us know what you decide!!

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Specializes in ED, Cardiac-step down, tele, med surg.
What a fantastic site this is! I've been avidly reading for a while and hope I can get some opinions to help me with my decision. I've been torn between rad tech and RN training for a while.

I'm female and 50 (gulp) but a young 50, if that's not a contradiction in terms.

What "put me off" nursing when I was trying to choose a field was my age, because I heard about a lot of older rad tech students--not so much nurses.

I have all my pre-reqs and most of the general ed requirements out of the way or being worked on (for rad tech, most of which are the same for nursing).

Have no problems so far with school but am not too sure how technically minded I am, so I worry a bit about that in the radiography field.

I did a one-day job shadow in a radiology department and enjoyed it.

Both programs are extremely competitive to get into, so there's no real difference there. I just feel that I'm too old to make the wrong choice. So.... does anyone have an idea about the best fit for me--rad tech or RN?

I think you should do what inspires you the most. I understand your concern about your age. But people are younger now for their age and many people will be able to work into their 70s if they are healthy and strong. I'm in my 30s and just got into an accelerated BSN program, which is only 12months. There are several people in their 40s and 50s. I've heard good things about being a rad tech though. So I think it depends on your heart and inspiration.

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Thanks, jz. I have been thinking along those lines too--imagining another 20 or so years in the work force. Put like that, it doesn't seem too crazy to go for it.

I'm still weighing up the pros and cons, but nursing is coming out on top so far (aww, who am I kidding? I think I have already made up my mind).

Hope to be joining you guys before too long!

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Specializes in LTC, Nursing Management, WCC.

I think nursing would give you a broader area to work off... for example you don't have to always be a 40 hour a week staff nurse... you can go into insurance, pharmaceuticals, research, teaching, etc...

Don't let the age thing stop you!!

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Just thought I'd update you guys who were kind enough to advise me last year. I went ahead and submitted the application for the rad tech spot because I had everything ready and had worked hard to get there, but I didn't feel my heart was really in it. In the meantime, I have been working like crazy to get more credits behind me before applying to the nursing program. I applied to that too, and I've been sweating bullets waiting and hoping for "the letter." Well, I won't know for another few weeks whether or not I got into the nursing program, but yesterday I got my acceptance letter from the other CC to the rad tech program. Guess what? No jumping up and down. No "Woo-Hoo" feeling. Nothing. It was great news all the same, though, because my reaction to that letter really proved to me that my heart was in the nursing program.

I know that this is "non-news" type of news, but I wanted to let you all know that your advice helped when I was unsure, and now I am 100% certain of the direction I want to move in. Fingers crossed for me, okay? :nurse:

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Fingers crossed! I'm 50, too, so I feel for ya!

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Hey Scooter,

I'm 54, and chose nursing. I worked in the Radiation field, not medical.

While I was taking my pre-req's for Nursing, I had a young male rad tech in one of my classes. We got to talking about radiation,etc. I asked him how much exposure (sometimes called dose) he was getting. He told me, he didn't know. He just turned in his film badge when it turned black. :uhoh21: Film badges were very old technology!!!

That stuck with me. Now maybe, it was him, but I knew, radiation wasn't something you should take so nonchalantly.

Good luck to you.

Asia

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