cdbreez

I'm a nurse, my boyfriend is a radiology/CT tech. His pay is pretty much in line with mine because of his CT certification. His stress level is much less than mine. His department is well staffed, with up to date equipment. If a nursing unit is ever at risk for being well staffed, somebody is going to get sent home or floated. Sure, they get busy, but he's never responsible for 8-12 (yes, I said 12) patient's every want and need for 12 hours. It seems like his area doesn't get much grief (in my opinion) because all of the work they do generates a rather large bill for the patient. Sure, patients can't stay without nurses, but our activities aren't "billable". So, do the math. Guess who will get short staffed and hounded because of cost? I was in your position 16 years ago. I applied to rad tech school and nursing school with no real preference. I got the nursing acceptance first. I now know that if I had waited for rad tech school, things would have been different. You will be able to find your area: CT, MRI, mammogram, surgery, clinic work, ER, special procedures, etc. and make it your own. The field is fascinating and advancing quickly. Don't give up on the radiology school. You'll still be in direct contact with patients. My boyfriend starts IVs, doses for treatments that require contrast, works closely with doctors, and can directly make a difference because of his skills. In the civilian world, the retirement age is whenever a nurse can't run around on the floor anymore. Retirement packages are not that great and are getting worse as companies are matching employee contributions at a much lower rate now. Also, it seems much easier for him to change locations, rad techs are on a National Registry. Nurses pretty much have to apply to each Board of Nursing, pay fees and get an endorsement from the original board of licensure each time. Didn't mean to write a novel, but there it is. Either way, good luck!!!

Try all of the above, but it might NOT get better. Nursing is not fun, seldom rewarding, and even less seldom will your efforts be appreciated by anyone (from upper management to your unit manager to your patients). It is, however, a steady paycheck. If you're young, and it doesn't get better, GET OUT before it's too late!!!!

A lot of hospitals are doing this now. I've worked at several hospitals in Georgia that have colors for areas (RN, unit secretaries, x-ray, etc.). Others assigned colors by area worked (purple for postpartum, navy blue for med/surg). I've been working in Missouri for 2 years now and it's the same here. Later this month, I am starting a travel position to Oklahoma and guess what? Colors are SOLID BLACK OR SOLID TURQUIOSE.

Hmmm.....I've been doing postpartum care for so long, I haven't thought about looking these things up. I did find Dermoplast in my Lippincott's drug book, listed under Combination products by drug name. Ingredients: benzocaine, menthol, methylparabin. Lansinoh and Tucks, no luck with brand names or by ingredient. I do know Tucks isn't the same as hydrocortisone. It is witchazel astringent. In the hospital I see generic witchazel pads and Preparation H wipes substituted for Tucks. And Lansinoh a brand name for lanolin. Some hospitals also substitute a generic "lanolin ointment" for this and patients often bring other brand names of lanolin with them. Health food stores sell organic versions, etc. I wonder if both of these might be considered "alternative therapies", kind of like the health food supplements. Hope this helps, and I'll keep looking because now I'm curious!!!. Good luck with your studies!