Nursing or X ray Tech?

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Hello, I'm a student presently trying to decide between nursing and x ray tech, I got into both programs for this fall. I'm hoping to get the opinions of people who are already in the nursing profession.

Thanks guys!

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Pretty huge disparity. Where to even start.

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Specializes in NVRN, ICU, Critical Care.

not a nurse sorry, but still have info. Clients that I've worked on who are xray techs usually complain of soreness from standing in lead vests for long periods of time and higher risk of radiation. something to consider.

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Way way way more variety in nursing. Can you shadow someone in each field to see which one you prefer?

1
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Specializes in Rehab/LTC.

I graduated with ADN two years ago. Can only get job in nursing homes. Would rather work at Starbucks.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Postpartum.

Nursing Possibilities:

-Critical care nurse

-Labor & delivery nurse

-Travel nurse

-Pediatric nurse

-Trauma nurse

-School nurse

-Psych nurse

-Public Health nurse

-Nurse researcher

-Family nurse practitioner

-Women's Health practitioner

-Adult Health practitioner

(Possibilities are endless)

X-ray tech Possibilities:

-X-ray technician

Hope that helped!

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Specializes in ICU, ED, Trauma, Transplant.

My cousin and I are about the same age. She became an X-ray tech a couple years after I graduated from nursing school. She's currently a CT/MRI tech and I'm an ICU nurse.

I think the pay is fairly comparable between the two jobs, depending on where you live. I know that when she had trouble working with someone at a big university hospital, in order to get away from them, she had to quit that job and get a new one elsewhere because there's only one radiology department at a hospital. When I got sick of dealing with a jerk I worked with, all I had to do was put in a lateral transfer and I was happier a few weeks later working on a different unit. That was really sweet considering I'm vested with my retirement, like the company as a whole, and love everyone I'm working with now.

Going to grad school for an advanced nursing degree will be easier for me than it will be for my cousin to go to a master's of radiologic science program if that's what I choose to do. I think the biggest reason is that there's a lot less schools offering a masters in radiologic science degree than schools that offer a masters in nursing. And there's many different types of masters programs for nurses, but I think you're pretty limited as an x-ray tech.

I think it's worth thinking about what kind of job you'll be able to get when you get closer to retirement. When you're nearing 60, will you be able to pull patients from a stretcher into a CT or MRI? Will you be able to shove a board behind a patient to get a chest x-ray? One of these days, I know I'm going to be too old and tired and out of shape to work as a bedside nurse. I'll have an easier time getting a case management or low-key clinic job than my cousin will getting a job that's doesn't require lugging a patient around to get a film done.

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Hi there, I am not a nurse yet but I'll give my 2 cents anyway :)

My best friend's Mom graduated from an X-ray tech program over one year ago and still has not been able to find a job, there just aren't any listings for them...yet daily there are tons of nursing jobs posted (both LPN and RN.) We live in the Raleigh area of NC, if that makes any difference.

I would agree with most who have posted in that you will have more options as a nurse. Although some have said they are having a hard time getting that first nursing job, it will come eventually!

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Nurses have a much bigger role to play in the patient's care than x ray. In fact, if you read some of these threads, everything is our job. I think nursing is more interesting and exciting, but the stress and responsibility takes its toll in the long term.

X-ray techs have the ability to say "not my job". The job has better prospects for long-term professional survival. Getting into a program is more competitive since there are fewer spots.

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Hmm... Okay, thanks for the insite everyone! Some good things for me to think about, I'm leaning towards nursing and have been all aloing but I'm sort of scared to go into nursing after hearing all of the stories and how many nurses don't like their job! Thanks to everyone!

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Nursing Possibilities:

-Critical care nurse

-Labor & delivery nurse

-Travel nurse

-Pediatric nurse

-Trauma nurse

-School nurse

-Psych nurse

-Public Health nurse

-Nurse researcher

-Family nurse practitioner

-Women's Health practitioner

-Adult Health practitioner

(Possibilities are endless)

X-ray tech Possibilities:

-X-ray technician

Hope that helped!

LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLLLO LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL

Ok, as a registered x-ray TECHNOLOGIST (not technician), nuclear medicine, and cat scan TECHNOLOGIST, I will definitely say that in my 11 years of doing this, im VERY glad i did not do nursing. I enjoy taking my photos, sending the patient along their merry way. The "risk of radiation" is MINIMAL if you do very basic protection practices. I do not deal with poop / puke / pee / blood on a regular basis. We do see it and it does not bother me, but i enjoy the fact that its not in my room as often as nurses.

I could make a similar list of pros and cons but i will refain. I think with nursing AND radiology, there is a tighter job market than what i experienced 11 years ago so good luck finding a job. In 11 years, ive never felt the burnout, i do not eat my young, i feel fulfilled and appreciated, and i do not dread coming to work. I would love to know the percentage of a 10+ year nurse with the same outlook. Please consider this: LOOK at something you can do not now, but 20+ years from now. All young grad nurses / EMTs / xray students all want to save the world but once the reality of mortgages, kids, family, bills, college loans, taking care of elderly parents, etc sets in, the saving the world superhero mentality takes a back seat.

If i could do it all over again, i would do almost EXACTLY what i did. I would go into Xray, specialize in CT scan, MRI, or Nuclear Medicine, and live a pretty good life. You will make the same amount (at my hospital slightly more) as a nurse and i personally believe you will have a better overall well being.

The "possibilities are endless" comment really threw me for a loop..... like xray has no possibilities..... Thats far from the truth. VERY far.

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LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLLLO LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL

Ok, as a registered x-ray TECHNOLOGIST (not technician), nuclear medicine, and cat scan TECHNOLOGIST, I will definitely say that in my 11 years of doing this, im VERY glad i did not do nursing. I enjoy taking my photos, sending the patient along their merry way. The "risk of radiation" is MINIMAL if you do very basic protection practices. I do not deal with poop / puke / pee / blood on a regular basis. We do see it and it does not bother me, but i enjoy the fact that its not in my room as often as nurses.

I could make a similar list of pros and cons but i will refain. I think with nursing AND radiology, there is a tighter job market than what i experienced 11 years ago so good luck finding a job. In 11 years, ive never felt the burnout, i do not eat my young, i feel fulfilled and appreciated, and i do not dread coming to work. I would love to know the percentage of a 10+ year nurse with the same outlook. Please consider this: LOOK at something you can do not now, but 20+ years from now. All young grad nurses / EMTs / xray students all want to save the world but once the reality of mortgages, kids, family, bills, college loans, taking care of elderly parents, etc sets in, the saving the world superhero mentality takes a back seat.

If i could do it all over again, i would do almost EXACTLY what i did. I would go into Xray, specialize in CT scan, MRI, or Nuclear Medicine, and live a pretty good life. You will make the same amount (at my hospital slightly more) as a nurse and i personally believe you will have a better overall well being.

The "possibilities are endless" comment really threw me for a loop..... like xray has no possibilities..... Thats far from the truth. VERY far.

Thanks very much! I would love to hear your pros and cons list if you have a minute , please and thanks!

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