angelac1978

in my program, all of our major tests had to be passed with a 75% for the first year. In the second year, we have to pass the tests with an 85%, If we don't pass, then we are allowed to remediate the exams which involves a lot of extra work. The remediation exam is harder too, no multiple choice, it's all essay and short answer. If we fail 2 remediations, then we fail the course and we are out of the program. A

one that I have picked up working as a student x-ray tech is asking women of childbearing age if they are pregnant. The phrase is "embarazada?" and I ask it in a questioning tone with my hand over my lower abdomen. There is a list of questions and body parts in my department so when we do have Spanish speaking patients, it is not too hard to communicate. I just wish I had paid more attention in my 4 years of high school Spanish. A

MOnurse, I totally agree. Nurses in the country do not get paid enough for all that they have to deal with. Right up there with teachers. (my sis teaches 4th grade and you wouldn't believe some of the stuff her students have come up with!) Also, congrats to your husband for completeing his rad tech program! I can't wait to be in his place next year! A

If this isn't a generalization, I don't know what is! The post that I replied to seemed to imply that nursing is very difficult (which I know is true) while radiography was a piece of cake, which is not the case. My feelings were not hurt, not sure where that impression came from, and there was no need to apologize, with or without the rolling eyes. However, I do not appreciate being told to "move on" and to not let things offend me. Just because a post is not directed at you does not mean that it can't be offensive to you. I have no problem with the OP and I realized her intent from the beginning. I was just commenting on some of the posts here and answering a question about an RT's job description and education. A

is this really necessary? I am about to finish my first year of rad tech school and it is tough. We have the same pre-reqs as the nursing students do, with the exception of micro, but in its place we have to take 2 semesters of physics. Right now, we are in clinic 40 hours a week. During the regular semester we have 20 hours of clinic in addition to our classes. I am not trying to make an argument about which program is harder or which career is harder or more lucrative. Why can't we just agree that both programs are tough, and that anyone who works in healthcare has a tough job, whether you realize it or not. Also, can we avoid generalizations like the one about rad techs just standing around during a code waiting for the RNs to do something. It really isn't necessary. Here is a link that explains the job that radiologic technologists do. Registered technologists must complete an accredited program that lasts from 18-24 months. There is a shortage of techs in most imaging modalities and so entrance into those schools is extremely competitive. Most schools will not accept you unless you have completed most or all of your pre-reqs. Once you complete the program you have to sit for the board exam adminstered by our national registry, http://www.arrt.org If one wants to work in an advanced modality like MRI, ultrasound, radiation therapy or nuclear medicine, more schooling is required, usually another year of classes and more clinic time. If your hospital is calling transporters radiology techs, then something is very very wrong there. I would never work at a hospital that gave transporters that title. It's like calling a CNA a nurse, which we all know is not appropriate. Also, I know of no state that requires that you be an RN before becoming an RT or MRI tech or any other imaging tech. I'm really not trying to be preachy here, but it is frustrating when there are so many misconceptions about my future career. A

I took the residual ACT for my school and it was the exact same test booklet as the standard ACT. The only difference was that they graded the forms right there and I walked away with my scores instead of waiting weeks for it. If you are nervous, get an ACT review book. The only problem I had with it was the more advanced math like trig, there was a little of that on the test. You should do fine though! Just brush up on the basic concepts. A

I was planning on applying to a BSN program that required that students have their CNA certification. I was lucky in that a local hospital was desperate for CNAs and was offering a paid class and also paid for the exam. I took the class, passed the test with flying colors and got a job on a peds/med surg floor. Within a week I knew that being a CNA and being a nurse moreover was not for me. Maybe it was the floor I was on, but working with the same patients day after day really started to get to me. I also noticed that the nurses spent hours in the lounge after report working on paperwork. That's not what I wanted to do (and yes I know that there is much more to nursing than just paperwork) I lucked out one day when transport was backed up and I had to take a pt down to the rad dept for a routine chest. I knew the tech that was working that day and chatted for a few minutes and then on my lunch break went down and talked to her some more. I went to the local technical school the next day to apply. I just knew that it was right for me, I could see myself doing this, I didn't feel any nagging doubts in my stomach like I did while working as a CNA. I put in my 2 week notice and didn't look back. I really suggest that you do some job shadowing. Like I said in my previous post, what one person hates, another person loves! and that's what is great about the healthcare field. There is a place for everyone! A

also, admission to radiography school and especially rad therapy school has gotten extremely competitive as well. if you don't have most or all of your pre-reqs done, you probably won't get in. Rad tech school is tough too. I am in my second semester and I was working 40 hrs/wk and have cut back to about 20 and it is still rough. We are in class and clinic for close to 40hrs a week! That being said, I love school and am so glad that I made this decision. I knew that nursing wasn't for me, and I was lucky to have stumbled on to a rad tech program. The 3 fields you mentioned are very different and what one person loves another will hate. If you haven't already, I would suggest that you try to shadow a nurse, a rad tech, and a rad therapist for a day or so each to really see what each job entails. Good luck in whatever you decide! A

you do have to retain a lot of info in the rad tech department, but I would dare say that it is different types of info. I can't really say definitively because I am not all that familiar with nursing school content, but the type of info RT students have to retain are more technical in nature, like what factors to enter into the operating console to produce a good image and how to change those factors based on the patient's size, age, disease process, etc. Also, we have to know how to precisely position the patient to get good diagnostic images. We really have to know anatomy to make sure that we demonstrate everything that should be demonstrated. I could go on and on, but if you decide to go for RT and do some job shaowing, you will see all this and so much more! The school requiring job shadowing is a great idea because you will either leave being totally intrigued and know that that's what you want to do, or you will see that it's not for you at all. Good luck in whatever you decide. If you have any more ?s about RT school, just let me know and I will attempt to answer them! A

lol, more techie courses! that is definitely true. I happen to be a tech geek so I fit right in! for my program, you have to have 2 semesters of A & P, college algebra, public speaking, and all the other BS classes you have to take to get an AS degree. The algebra has come in handy though for figuring radiation intensity and distance and all other sorts of stuff. A

hey I posted a reply to you on the radiology nursing board! A

I am in a rad tech program right now and it is pretty tough. I just took my physics final this morning and I am totally drained. That being said, I totally enjoy school and I know that this is the right field for me. I worked as a CNA because I thought I wanted to be a nurse, but realized real quick that nursing was not for me! RT school is pretty intense. We have a lot of clinical hours, more than the ADN and LPN programs at my same school. My program is 2 full years long, we go August 2004 to August 2006 and next semester we will be in class and clinic for almost a total of 40 hours. Each program is different of course, but they all pretty much follow the same format. If rad sciece is something that interests you, you should check out what the requirements are the program you are interested in. I would also suggest that you do some job shadowing in an imaging dept to really get a good look at what RT's do. A

this is such a great thread! my hubby currently works for the USPS doing data entry. He is also doing coursework online to get his degree in meteorology. He wants to work for the Weather Channel one day but says he would "settle" for working for the local tv station! :chuckle A

scrubbing bubbles bathroom cleaner works great on white leather shoes. I use it about once every few weeks and use baby wipes in between to keep them white. A

not to be nit picky but the correct term for rad techs and CT techs and so on is "technologist" not "technician". You'd be offended if someone called you a nurse's aide. It's the same type of deal. A

my A&P classes were my favorite ones! if you go into rad tech, you will get more anatomy than you could ever want. I think that nursing deals more w/ physiology (someone correct me if I am wrong) is it your professor that it making the class unbearable? or do you just not like the content? if you don't like the content, you might want to think twice about going into nursing or rad tech. A

why would you assume that she would be working at a doctor's office? some RT's work for imaging centers and ortho clinics but most rad techs work in hospitals. some docs employ limited scope techs but their pay is horrible. admission to rad tech school is just as competitive as nursing school. For the 2 programs I applied to this year, there were 300 applicants for 30 spots at each school. there is a shortage of RT's as well as nurses. everyone sees a job in healthcare as a safe, stable career so there are tons of people applying to all of the allied health programs. A

I find these comments interesting since hospitals don't normally charge for nursing care, but do charge for any radiologic exams that are done. In fact, I believe I have read that the rad dept is one of the #1 money makers for hospitals. Also, if a pt has a broken arm, you can have all the nursing care that you can get, but without the xrays, how will the surgeon know how and where to insert the pins? When a pt comes into the ER with chest pain, one of the first things that was done was to order a portable chest x-ray. I'm not trying to say that rad techs are better than nurses, we are no better or worse. We are all part of the healthcare team with different duties and different training. RT's have to go through 2 years of schooling (NOT including pre-reqs) and we have to pass our board exams before we can get certified. In many states, we also have licensing requirements to meet. If the CARE bill is passed, we will have to be licensed in ALL states. Bottom line, don't worry about what other specialties are making unless you are wanting to go into them. For the most part, general diagnostic x-ray techs won't make as much as nurses, however, those in advanced specialties (MRI, ultrasound, etc) may make as much or more, but they have had to go through additional training to get that money! A

If a patient is unstable then more than likely the x-rays will be done with a portable machine either in the ER or the patients room, ICU, etc. It's pretty much a standing rule for diagnostic x-ray. CT and other specialties may be different. Also, if a tech sees an order come across that they know is wrong (ie order for a right foot when it is clearly the left foot that is mangled up) or totally off the wall, it's their duty to check w/ the ordering physician to clarify. If we were to perform the exam on the wrong part, we could be held liable big time. The best part of working in radiology IMO is that you see a constant stream of patients, instead of caring for a set number for the day. I worked as a CNA when I was thinking of going into nursing and I just could not handle it. I love working w/ patients but I would much rather see them and then send them on their way. Different strokes for different folks. To the OP: I didn't mean to try and turn this into a RT vs RN debate either. I was just a little off-put after reading posts of nurses being "insulted" by the pay RT's make. Felt like I needed to defend my chosen field, but I'll back off. :) A

not off the top of my head. they do have it listed on http://www.salary.com nuc med techs make way more than RT's do, but they handle radioactive material daily and have advanced training. Sorry this is such a short answer but I gotta go to work! A

are you going for your BSN? RT programs are 2 years long, not including the pre-reqs. Are you going to be insulted that you are making the same amount of $$ as ADN nurses because they don't have as much education? I'm not trying to be catty, I really want to know. I just don't understand why someone would get insulted that another medical specialty gets paid more than you do. Diagnostic imaging and nursing are 2 very different fields and require different types of people to do them. And yes, RT school is very difficult! We have physics, radiation protection, radiation biology, patient care, and on and on. I can't compare it to a nursing program because I've never been there, but it is hard none the less. A

why it is insulting? to become an MRI tech, you have to go through additional training beyond the 2 year program for rad tech. Which in most states in turning into 3 years because the competition is so fierce to get in that most people have to have their prereqs completed before even applying. Does that $18.25 include working call where they can be woken up at all hours of the night to come in a do a scan? Their pay is probably that much because they are certified in MRI and diagnostic x-ray. I would pay no mind to that tech. Any time people discuss salaries, numbers tend to get inflated for all sorts of reasons, whether she feels inferior in some aspect or anything else. Just my 2 cents. A

i went to the bookstore today to get the ISBN's of my books, but they had the book section blocked off. I asked the little old woman at the desk if I could get the ISBN's and she got this mean little frown on her face and said "you can not have the ISBN's" I justed looked at her and said "thanks anyway" and left. I'll just look them up on the website and match my books up by title and author and write down those ISBN's and when the book section is opened, I'll check the numbers, but no way am I buying books from there unless I absolutely have to! I have never been at a school where you couldn't check out the books and do some price comparison. A

you can also check the publisher's website. the publisher of my radiology books has free shipping to individuals and a 10% discount. it works out way cheaper for me to buy it from them than anywhere else, since all my books are new editions. A

it does offer variety, but nursing does as well. I can't really say exactly why I chose rad tech over nursing. Nursing just didn't feel right to me, but the minute I started shadowing in the rad tech department, I felt right at home. I guess maybe because I am a techno geek and rad tech involves a lot of technology while nursing is more patient centered. I didn't really like working with the same patients day in day out as a CNA. Usually a pt will only be in the rad dept for a few minutes, maybe a few hours at the most. It just seems more fast paced to me, which appeals to me. I guess rad tech is just a better fit for me and my personality. I hope that wasn't too confusing!