Radiologic Tech vs. Nursing

Nurses Career Support

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Specializes in Ortho-Neuro,labor and delivery, nursery.

Hello everyone. I'm in a bit of dilemma and I don't know what to do. I'm about to start my 2nd semester of nursing school but I have a strong urge not to go back. I've always been interested in working in the medical field and thought that nursing was my calling but now I'm not so sure. I enjoy the ascpects of the medical field and working with people and even though the pay is good in nursing I don't think all the stress and back breaking labor of nursing is for me. After doing some research I'm interested in going into Radiology/Rad Tech. It seems like a pretty interesting field to go into, the pay is good and I can always expand in my career. They offer an RT program in my area and I will be able to get a B.S. in it as well when I finish the program. I'm so confused right now on what I should do. Should I give nursing on more try and stay in the program or should I just move on?

I had (and still have) that dilemma in my own mind! Have you ever shadowed a Rad Tech? If you haven't, find someone you can shadow and work with them for a day. See if you like what they're doing. Talk to students in the program, and people already in the career. Hear what they have to say about the positives and negatives. If you like what you see and hear, maybe you should consider making a change. Life will be much more fulfilling if you're doing something that makes you HAPPY :) I am a nurse right now, but am planning on either going back to school for rad tech or dental hygiene. There's no problem with changing your mind, it is VERY common today. Let me know how everything works out, good luck!

Specializes in Cardiac Telemetry, Emergency, SAFE.

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Specializes in Cardiac Telemetry, Emergency, SAFE.

I had a similar dilemma 6 years ago..NS or Surg Tech school.Ultimately, I decided on Surgical Tech school. It was the same amount of time and almost the same amount of money. I went for Surgical Tech b/c I thought it sounded interesting. After 5 years wokring, I now start NS on Monday ( I almost went for DMS, but it wouldve been the same situation). My reason for this is that after I grauated out of Tech school, I was happy for like a year or 2 in my ST position. I then realized that I was STUCK in the OR. A surgical tech cant dept jump if they are unhappy, cant really advance (ST managers are very rare) and while I love/d what I do/did I was yearning for more. I wanted more responsibilty and different job duties.

so, I guess what Im trying to say, is think to your future and you want to do. Do you want the ability to move and secure a job anywhere, any field? Would you rather stay very specialized in Radiology? Its ultimately up to you and what your future goals are....

Good Luck in whatever you decide...I honeslty am just happy to have started in a career that was my passion (healthcare)

Hello everyone. I'm in a bit of dilemma and I don't know what to do. I'm about to start my 2nd semester of nursing school but I have a strong urge not to go back. I've always been interested in working in the medical field and thought that nursing was my calling but now I'm not so sure. I enjoy the ascpects of the medical field and working with people and even though the pay is good in nursing I don't think all the stress and back breaking labor of nursing is for me. After doing some research I'm interested in going into Radiology/Rad Tech. It seems like a pretty interesting field to go into, the pay is good and I can always expand in my career. They offer an RT program in my area and I will be able to get a B.S. in it as well when I finish the program. I'm so confused right now on what I should do. Should I give nursing on more try and stay in the program or should I just move on?

Indeed nursing is a very stressful job, so if you don't like from now, it will be even worse in the future. If you think rad tech is for you, then go for that instead.

good luck

I am currently a dental hygienist wanting to switch to nursing. I think that old saying "the grass is always greener" has some truth to it; but I'm hoping that I'm making a good decision anyways. Every profession has its pros and cons; I'd suggest that before you bail out of the nursing program you FULLY research what it is that you'd like to do instead (that's what I'm doing here! ) Maybe you can find a RAD tech message board or a RAD tech to job shadow or interview about their job satisfaction.

Good luck to you. Picking a profession is tough isn't it? Maybe that's why everyone starts asking you when you're about 5 years old: "What do you want to be when you grow up?" (Or maybe they're just hitting up the 5 year olds for ideas cuz they want a career change!:D

I wouldn't waste one more moment doing something you don't want to do!! Life is short. Like another person above on here said, if you don't think you like nursing now......you will be so so unhappy later.

TRUST ME!!!!

Go into rad if that is what you are pulled towards......

I wish ya all the best

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