Nursing or Nuclear Med Tech?

suzanne4, RN · Oct 10, 2005

You will be more limited in job opportunities. Just think about the number of Nuclear Med Techs that a facility will use, usually just one or two in most facilities, where the are many more nurses.

But again, there are fewer Nuclear Med Techs to begin with. You may want to check out the area where you are living an get an idea of what the job opportunities are like in your area. That will give you a better picture of things.

But pick something because that is something that you really want to do, not what everyone else tells you to do. You will be much happier that way.

sun_chica · Oct 12, 2005

Best advice... go for what you REALLY want to do... yeah, it may be lil' harder to find a job at first as a nuc tech, but if you feel you'll like it better, go for it.

Nothing's worse than doing a job you don't really like... I'm in that boat & returing to school this January to pursue a career I've always loved... animals!

Best of luck to you... it's a hard decision!!!:)

Curious1alwys, BSN, RN · Oct 12, 2005

I agree that if you are lucky enough to KNOW what you really want, then you have to go that route. However, if they both sound interesting to you, I would do your research! Nursing has much more opportunity!

Sun Chica........what have you decided to do? I have followed your posts regarding nursing not being what you thought it was going to be. Are you pursuing veterinary medicine?? Good for you that you have finally sorted it out! And you will always be able to use that nursing education!:)

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Oct 12, 2005

I don't know much about the nuclear med tech, however, at my facility, nuclear medicine has RNs and LPNs in their dept. Perhaps that could be an option?

bbrobozio · Oct 12, 2005

I'm an RN and my husband is a Nuc Med Tech. He makes WAY more money than me, works Mon, Tues, Wed 12 hours, is paid for 50% of the call and rarely gets called in. I would never be interested in it, as it's very technical, but he really enjoys it. The job opportunities for this position are tremendous, as their is a big shortage, and I feel that he gets much more respect than a nurse. He is not doing direct patient care, but is still getting to know his patients. There are no bedpans, bed baths, cleaning up vomit, etc. He works independently, and doesn't deal with doctors too much. We work at a small hospital, so it may be different somewhere else, but he has a very good situation here. Of course, I love my job too, but if it's about money, hours, and prestige, then Nuc Med is probably where it's at.

cardiacRN2006, ADN, RN · Oct 12, 2005

There is a tremendous shortage of Nuc med techs (at least where I live). I know a lot of them and I do believe that they make some bank as well. It all depends on what you want to do. The guys I know say they could work everyday.

FLstudent06 · Oct 14, 2005

Thanks everyone who replied! I'm still kinda torn. I'm really starting to think Nuclear Med is more suited for me, but I can't help but worry about limiting myself. Also, if I switch from Nursing to Nuclear Med, some of the classes I've taken won't count (Micro) and I'll have to take more prereqs (Chemistry). I have a 4.0 in my Nursing prereqs, so I'm pretty sure I could get in for the next class. Nuclear Med will put me out another 6 months or so. Since I'm already an "advanced age" student (35), it's hard to think about waiting 6 more months to get started. Decisions!

Thanks all!

Mischelle

ParalyzeDragon · Oct 14, 2005

Think of it this way...only 6 months more...to make alot more....to be more independent....to have the respect you talk about.....6 months really is nothing if you prefer the glamor of the other ideas... the time will pass quick!!!why waste 2 years in nursing if you really want to be a nuclear tech. 6months vs 2 years ....what do you really want?

angelina_zee · Oct 14, 2005

:) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :)

sun_chica · Oct 14, 2005

I agree that if you are lucky enough to KNOW what you really want, then you have to go that route. However, if they both sound interesting to you, I would do your research! Nursing has much more opportunity!
Sun Chica........what have you decided to do? I have followed your posts regarding nursing not being what you thought it was going to be. Are you pursuing veterinary medicine?? Good for you that you have finally sorted it out! And you will always be able to use that nursing education!:)

Thrashej-

Actually, I have finally decided after may books on career aptitude/personality/do what you love, etc..., making PRO's & CON's sheet of different careers I'd be interested in, I've decided to enroll in a Conservation & Wildlife Management degree at a private college close to home & work. Yeah it sucks to pay another $30k for 2yrs of school, but in the end it'll be worth it!!! Probably about 1/2 the pay (atleast to start), but my happiness is worth soo much more... & I'll finally earn my Bachelor's. Who knows, maybe a master's in my future??? I just applied & hope to start PT this spring, then FT in the Fall

I'll still be working FT in nursing til next fall, then PT... & I figure I'll keep a casual/per diem position to help w/ the financial hardship at first. I'm sure I can handle 2shifts/month:rotfl:

Thanks for asking:)

sun_chica

undecided · Nov 2, 2005

I am a nuclear med tech student ( graduating in Jan) and I am thinking about switching to nursing. I find Nuc med to be very boring. I love finding veins and injecting patients and I like mixing the radioactive substances and making kits. I like mixing the medications. Some of the scans are very long. It is very boring just sitting there waiting two hours for the scans to be over ( of course if you have a good book....). I just find it very monotonous. You do the same scans over and over again.

I am in NJ and the job market has gotten very tight in the last two years. WHen I applied to school, jobs were plentiful and graduates were getting 3-4 job offers before graduation. Things have changed dramatically at least in this part of the country. Jobs are not that easy to find. Most hospitals have very small nuc med departments. I thought I would be able to find a job in an imaging center but most imaging centers do not do nuc med - too expensive . The Cardiologists are big employers of Nuc med tech's and pay the best but that can be a difficult job- you have to find your own coverage if you want time off. I have kids and if they are sick or have a snow day, I would not be able to take a day off.

I was hoping to work part time. I am now fiinding that most jobs are only full time , M-F . Most hospitals want you there really early in the morning ( like 7:00AM) which is impossible for me since my kids do not even start school until 9:00.

From what I understand, starting pay in a hospital for a nuc med tech is comparable to a nursing starting salary( about $30-33/hour ) but no shift differential . There is some overtime and call . Some cardiologists pay $50 + and hour but you work your but off .

I would be interested in hearing from Nuc med techs who switched to nursing.

Monica