What to choose? Nursing school vs. Radiology school

Nurses Career Support

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I am a college student and I recently got accepted into both the nursing and radiology program at my college. I am having a difficult time deciding which to pick because this is my future that I am deciding on. I get so many different opinions from people at home I just thought I could maybe turn here for a little bit of help. I know my decision is going to have to be the one that will make me happy but I also want to have a job when I graduate. I need opinions on what both the fields are like. Help!:confused:

Specializes in ICU, CVICU, Surgical, LTAC.

a radiology nurse prepares patients for imaging procedures and administers medications they need before, during or after the procedure. they also do the assessment before and after, make sure the patient understand the procedure, makes sure the consent is signed. etc. the role is very very different than the radiology tech. i think you should go for x-ray tech personally. you will get the same pay for a job that is less stressful. if you get into it and don't like it, you can always go back for nursing. nursing isn't going anywhere, and with all the accelerated program popping up, if you have a degree in radiology, it won't take you much time to switch. plus you will have a lot of knowledge from being an X-ray tech.

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kree3 said:
I have shadowed an RT before and I work in a nursing home right now so I see what a nurse does everyday to an extent. I really thought at first I wanted to do radiology but I don't want to get bored with it either. I am a people person and I like to interact with lots of people and change things up all the time if you know what I mean. I am having a really hard time making this decision. I have heard before someone mention a Radiologist Nurse. Is there such thing and what do they do???

Keep your comments coming please because I enjoy reading them and they are helping me think a lot. I just keep jumping back and forth because I think I have made up my mind and then I find another reason to change it.

you can work as a nurse in Interventional Radiology . . . I don't know if that's what you're referring to. For conventional radiology, I've never seen a RN around, just the RT's. The nurse in IR will monitor the patient, administer light sedation, if needed and generally assist the radiologist.

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Sweetooth EMT-P, RN said it all.

And just google "Nursing sucks" and take it from there.

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If I do decide to be an RT though how long would it generally take me to cross train into another field???

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sunnycalifRN- "...The radiology job is a little "cleaner", less cleaning up bodily fluids, I think."

Well, depends if they are finished with the magnesium prep before they go to CT...

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Well I mean I work in a nursing home right now so I deal with the gross bodily fluids, ohhh everyday. Haha. I tend to have a weak stomach sometimes, not all of the time though but since working in the nursing home bodily fluids don't seem to phase me. Why is it that nursing is so stressful? Is it the people or the work??? I am just full of questions.:p I am afraid if I pick radiology and once I graduate, I won't be able to find a job. I live in KY by the way.

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Hi WSmith. I am currently a Cochran student starting out. I was wondering if you regret even going into nursing as a career?

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Hello I have a question my wife is enrolling into the radiology program only 18 get accepted she mad all As and Bs in her classes and she also has he x-Ray certification she can show them I know you don't 100% know but what would you say her odds are since you got accepted? Kree3?

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Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.
gcmorris09 said:
Hello I have a question my wife is enrolling into the radiology program only 18 get accepted she mad all As and Bs in her classes and she also has he x-Ray certification she can show them I know you don't 100% know but what would you say her odds are since you got accepted? Kree3?

kree3 has not signed onto the site since 2010 and is very unlikely to reply to your question. The school makes the decision as to who will be admitted; unless you name the school and someone who works there in the admissions department responds, it's impossible to answer.

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