question about diagnostic imaging/technologists

-As nurses, what is your impression of the diagnostic imaging department and its technologists? [this includes X-ray, CT, MRI, Special procedures, portable techs (I know youve seen those guys around, crashing into things with that large machine)].

I have a deep appreciation, from a personal and professional point of view. As a nurse, the diagnostic imaging folks help us get a more complete plan of care for our patients. They play their part like everyone else. On a personal level, I will always be grateful for the wonderful mammo techs who helped me get my diagnosis. The MRI techs were absolute angels. (I did not believe that I was claustrophobic. Well, I was wrong! I made for a long day for those ladies.) The techs who gave me my radiation therapy are wonderful technically. Above that, they were some of the kindest human beings that I have ever met. They put CARE in their patient care. Before my lumpectomy, I had bracketing wires inserted into my breast in the diagnostic imaging area. Once I was seated and the breast was squished into the imaging equipment, I had to be still until we were done. The tech stayed with me throughout the whole thing. The doctor and another tech were in and out but a tech stayed with me. She is the one I remember the most. After my breast tissue was removed, it was imaged to be sure it contained all of the cancer. I don't know who did the imaging but it effected my care.

Do you see nurses and doctors as equals? how about nurses and imaging technologists? or Doctors and imaging technologists?

No, I do not see doctors and nurses and imaging techs as equals. I think we compliment each other in our care for our patients, but we are not equals. We all have our level of training and expertise.

-How important do you feel the diagnostic imaging department is to medical care?

Very important. See above for my reasons.

AlsgalRN

Please feel free to message me if you need more info.

Thank you for sharing and answering my questions.

I also did a paper on breast cancer and the minority community... It really opened my eyes, I never understood how important annual screenings were for early detection until I wrote that paper. The year I wrote that paper was also the first year I participated in the ACS Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk and fundraiser. There I met many survivors and hearing their stories, I will never forget.

May I ask, do you live in a urban or suburban community? Do you work in a trauma 1 hospital or other? Is your hospital busy or slow (or does it vary greatly)?

Thank you for participating in the walk!

My hospital is the local urban trauma center. I think we are level 4. I don't work in the ED, though. We are BUSY! The hospital system is building like crazy but there is still often a long wait in the ED for beds.