Nursing or X-ray Tech?

wanna-be-nurse · Dec 28, 2005

I know its been long since you posted this but maybe this will help. Two very different professions, I suggest you shadow a person in each of these professions. Hospitals are very willing to do that, just go to the volunteer department in the hospital you are interested in.

Best of luck!

kjt2004 · Dec 31, 2005

Nursing of course!

Coloradogrl · Jan 4, 2006

I have a couple of friends that are x-ray techs and make ok money 15-17 but the field is limited. If you have the time I would go for RN

L&D_2b · Jan 4, 2006

Hi,
I am looking to go back to school and change my career and I am interested in these fields. Can anyone give me some personal feedback on them? I know they are different but they both interest me. I am very undecided and would like to know if anyone has worked in both fields or can share opinions.
Thanks,
Cee :)

I guess it just depends on how indepth you want to be in regards to patient care. I think that is a question you are going to have to ask yourself.

Also, like someone else pointed out, shadowing a professional is a good way of getting insight into a different profession.

**RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN** · Jan 5, 2006

I think nursing offers more paths. Best wishes to you in whichever you decide.

Reesa23 · Jan 8, 2006

I've been a CNA for 13 years. I've started and stopped nursing school 3 times for various reasons. I met someone I knew from my very first CNA job at this hospital I work at now. She's an x-ray tech. I asked her what her pay was because I knew her from the past and felt comfortable asking. She said around the $15 range. I was floored because she said the x-ray tech thing took 2 years of additional school. We work at the same hospital and I make more than she does and I still only have my CNA. Sad to know she would have been better off just sticking with her CNA.

blueyesue · Jan 8, 2006

Unless of course she enjoys what she is doing, and it brings her personal gratification. :)

Galvatron1 · Apr 20, 2006

Hello Everyone!! I'm new to these Forums, love the boards, & the discussions !!

Galvatron1 · Nov 1, 2006

In NYC the pay rate is about $24-$27 an hour for X-Ray Techs. The program is not as hard as nursing, we have less responsibility than nurses, don't have to worry about whether our decisions will kill a patient or not, but we have our work cut out for us.

Portables and BE Exams are the less glamorous side of our profession:chair:, but we do it cuz we love helping ppl! :icon_hug:

wanna-be-nurse · Nov 1, 2006

Nice, 24-27/hr is not bad. Wouldn't mind that. How is the job market in NYC for techs and is there opportunity to grow in the profession? I also heard they cap after a while is that true? I have to say though, nursing is great in NYC, we start at 60-65K year, have great opportunities to grow, and great patient care if that is what you like. You can really make a difference in a person's life. I guess it depends on what you like. Wouldn't mind not having all the responsibility nurses have (well when I graduate from nursing school...hopefully..lol).

Galvatron1 · Nov 2, 2006

Nice, 24-27/hr is not bad. Wouldn't mind that. How is the job market in NYC for techs and is there opportunity to grow in the profession? I also heard they cap after a while is that true? I have to say though, nursing is great in NYC, we start at 60-65K year, have great opportunities to grow, and great patient care if that is what you like. You can really make a difference in a person's life. I guess it depends on what you like. Wouldn't mind not having all the responsibility nurses have (well when I graduate from nursing school...hopefully..lol).

The job market is excellent , all my classmates :mortarboard: got jobs that were looking for work. There is opportunity to go on to MRI or CT, after a year of experience and sitting for an exam. I think it bumps salary up to in the 60s K:smiley_aa. There is no cap I know of, from what I heard, you get paid in levels, via years of experience.

You can also go on to teach or take on supervisory roles, like being supv. of the Radiology Dept:monkeydance:.