Is it better to be into nursing or x ray technician?

rambozluv · Sep 5, 2009

I don't know about that, but sorry, I need to vent. I graduated cna classes in Feb. 09, top of my class. Passed written and skills on first try in March. I still do not have a job. I just want pt work. The cna jobs are posted everywhere all the time here in my town in Virginia. All over the internet, at several ltc's and lots of cna jobs are posted at the local hospital. I've applied for all, I've had 1 on the spot interview at a ltc 40 miles away from my home and they told me upfront that they currently had no openings but as soon as they did they would call me for a pt casual position. They constantly advertise for openings on all shifts at several of the ltc's here, but yet when you go there to apply, they say, no we don't have any openings right now! I'm so frustrated and I just wish I could have my $750 back that I spent to take the cna classes, for what? Nothing as of yet and I'm just tired of trying to get into it, and it doesn't even pay that well. I'm sorry I'm so down, but I know I would make a very very good cna, but I can't even get the chance to try. I've always been told, oh yeah, they're desperate for cna's, etc. bull. I would definitely try for the xray tech, it can't be as bad as this cna crap. I did call some home health agencies, which I do not even want to do home work, and their pay is minimun wage!!!!! I'll flip burgers for better pay! HELP!!!

Blackheartednurse · Sep 5, 2009

Is not about which job is better but where does one's interest lies...I know for a fact that I would be miserable working as a x ray technician,I just dont imagine myself taking x-rays for the rest of my life and interpret them,I like hands on learning envinronment and a lot of patient interaction that is why I choose to go ahead and pursue a degree in Nursing.With that said I'm sure there are plenty of X-ray technicians who enjoy their occupation.There are cons and prons to both of these profession.For one Nursing is a very rewarding career but it is also a back-breaking,emotionally draining and risky job but always in demand with many opportunities for professional growth not to mention overtime,benefits etc...on the other hand X-ray techs have more of a clean job,less fast-pace work envinronment,stable hours,yet they are constantly exposed to x-ray beams and no real opportunities for the advancement in their careers and not too much chance for the overtime.

NeecyBSN_RN · Sep 5, 2009

I am an RT® who is currently in nursing school. I wanted longer interaction with the patients and as a Radiologic/Imaging Technologist (they will trip if you call them a technician -- trying to become more of a profession) I did not get that. I always wondered what happened to so-and-so. The pay is decent, but you really have to expand and get certified in additional modalites (CT, MRI, mammography, etc) to make any money.You will do alot of work! My mother has been an x-ray technician since 1996 and she is just barely breaking $30.00/hr!! We are in SE GA...so it may be different where you are. It is really all going to depend on you and WHAT YOU WANT TO DO. For me, it is nursing.

wacberry · Sep 5, 2009

First nursing is not a career it is a job. Look up the meaning of career. It requires progress, advancement, you have pay for your experience. In nursing they will pay the nurse they just hired at the same or more than what they pay the nurse that has been there 10 years. Now I don't know about x-ray techs, it may be the same. I get tired of hearing about a "nursing career" when all you really have is a job.

Diaper, RN · Sep 5, 2009

First nursing is not a career it is a job. Look up the meaning of career. It requires progress, advancement, you have pay for your experience. In nursing they will pay the nurse they just hired at the same or more than what they pay the nurse that has been there 10 years. Now I don't know about x-ray techs, it may be the same. I get tired of hearing about a "nursing career" when all you really have is a job.

I disagree. On my first day of nursing school, my professor told us that " nursing is a career, not a job". The definition of 'career' means that it's a profession and it requires special training. Everytime when I have doubt about my work, I'll remind myself about how much nursing is meant to me. I treat nursing as a career and it's something that I can progress and possibly grow old with (sorry, don't meant to be a cheese ball). The good thing about nursing is that it's flexible and there're so many things you can do such as teaching, research, NP, administration...etc.

It seems like you're so bitter about your job.I don't know about you but in my hospital, the pay scale is based on individual's experiences. However, I don't recommend anyone to pursue nursing solely because of the salary. Otherwise, you'll have a hard time ahead of you...

VSBlonde · Sep 6, 2009

After 7 years as a Registered Radiologic Technologist, I lost my job in January. There are absolutely zero x-ray jobs in Alabama right now and I can't move due to step-children at this time. So I took my job loss as an opportunity to go back to school and complete my nursing degree. I had a Dr's office hire me as their referrals coordinator because of my medical background and they are working with my school schedule.

NeecyBSN_RN · Sep 6, 2009

...on the other hand X-ray techs have more of a clean job,less fast-pace work envinronment,stable hours,yet they are constantly exposed to x-ray beams and no real opportunities for the advancement in their careers and not too much chance for the overtime.

Actually, the job of an xray technologist isn't that clean. I have had many an opportunity to get down and dirty in bodily fluids and if an xray is ordered STAT (as in the case of many MVAs) that is exactly what it means. Lifting patients onto and off of the exam tables is also done daily, so it can be quite back-breaking. I worked 12 and 8 hour shifts so my hours were pretty stable and you are right, there is an occupational hazard of being exposed to radiation, but as with all jobs there are always hazards. If you get stuck on the portable or in OR, you can guarantee yourself plenty of overtime. There are various opportunities for advancement - you get certified in additional modalities (i.e. CT, MRI, mammography, quality management,CVIT etc.) = more pay,and you can enter in the field as a manager with a BSRS (Bachelor's of Science in Radiologic Sciences) as opposed to an AS/AT in Radiologic Technology. In the last decade the RA (Radiologist Assistant) has come about (much like the PA to the MD). Xray technologist DO NOT interpret xrays/scans/studies b/c that is outside of their scope of practice, that is the job of the radiologist (who is also an MD). Any career is what you make it and definitely about what you want.

ok2bme · Sep 6, 2009

If I could do it all over again I'd go with diagnostic medical sonography...

Murse901, MSN, RN · Sep 6, 2009

First nursing is not a career it is a job. Look up the meaning of career. It requires progress, advancement, you have pay for your experience. In nursing they will pay the nurse they just hired at the same or more than what they pay the nurse that has been there 10 years. Now I don't know about x-ray techs, it may be the same. I get tired of hearing about a "nursing career" when all you really have is a job.

LOL. Seriously? Did you even read what you just typed?

At the most basic level without expanding into the various subcategories and specialties (informatics, education, etc), you have LPN->RN->APRN. This is called "progress" or "advancement", and working through these levels will result in a significant increase in pay at each level. Just because one chooses to stay in a certain lower-paying classification and does not further his/her education to obtain a higher level does not mean that this is not a career.

It sounds like you have some personal issues to work through. Good luck.

PopeJane3rd · Sep 6, 2009

If I could do it all over again I'd go with diagnostic medical sonography...

Why would you choose ultrasound?

JomoNurse · Sep 6, 2009

I kinda have to agree with the above poster that said nursing is a job and not a career. As nurses, we walk around like trained robots with very little independence. Also, there is very little salary growth over the years. It's true that a newly hired nurse makes about the same as a nurse with 10 years of experience. Just my opinion, though! My pet peeve is when nurses refer to nursing as their "practice". To me, higher up professionals have a practice, like a Dr.'s practice, etc. It just makes me want to yell out load, are you kidding me?!

And to answer the OP question - there are more jobs available to you as a nurse. A hospital has a crap load of nurses inside the building, but only a few radiology technologists.