RN or Radiation Therapist ?

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Hi I'm from Ontario, Canada, and I got accepted for both programs: Nursing and Medical Radiation Sciences.

I still have until next week to choose which offer to accept. I really wanted to be a radiation therapist until I got accepted to Nursing (w/c I did not expect at all, since it is highly competitive to get in, especially in the university that I applied to). I'm contemplating which program to choose. I've been researching about the two programs to decide which will best suit/interest me. But, until now, I'm still not sure which one to choose.

Just to give a little background about myself.. I'm an introvert. I don't have the best social skills - but I guess I can work on it. I like biology, I can do chemistry, but I don't like it as much. I'm okay in math but I'm really bad in physics. I can work well with computers. I work well alone, but I can also work in a group. I don't like physical interaction - like giving people needles - that's why I'm still not sure if I can be a nurse. I'm easily grossed out by things, but I'm not scared of blood ;) I like writing more than verbal communication. I'm very approachable and I like helping people.

My pros for nursing - highly in demand, high paying, cons - I'm not really good working with my hands - or maybe I still need to develop it.

My pros for radiation - less physical work than nursing ( I guess), I would like to help cancer patients. cons - not sure if more jobs are available, radiation effects?, dont know if I'll make as much if I become a nurse.

Please help me decide.. More info about what nurses & radiation therapists' working conditions, salary and advancement will really help me a lot.

THANKSS ! :)

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Specializes in Emergency Department.

In my opinion which is based on, the things you posted about yourself and my limited knowledge of both professions is that nursing would be the better choice. You said that you are really bad in physics and radiation therapy is based around the principles of physics. I looked at radiation therapy also, and all the programs that I looked at were heavily grounded in physics, and some that I looked at required a degree in physics. I personally enjoy physics, but I still chose nursing. For me, nursing seemed to offer more areas to work in where radiation therapy seemed to be quite limited. Good luck in whatever you choose!

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@ Aberdeen - Thanks for the reply. I would love to know more about how its like to be a nursing student - courses that I'm required to take, skills that I need to learn, and overall workload. :) Thanks.

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Specializes in Emergency Department.

You are welcome. The classes you would have to take will depend on the program that you enter. Do a search of the site and you will be able to find the answer to almost any question you can think of. This site is full knowledgeable people and tons and tons of very helpful information. There is also a Canadian thread under the “Region” tab that you may find useful since you are in Canada. Your fellow Canadians will be able to give you more specific information about nursing programs in your area than I can.

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I was in the same boat as you. I want to work with cancer patients. I had seriously considered radiation therapy. However, it seemed to be more science and computers than patients. While I like science and computers, and am pretty good at both, I desire more patient interaction instead. I don't know if I'll get a job in oncology right after school, but that is what I am working towards. Eventually I'll get there. Until then, I volunteer for the American Cancer Society and cancer centers at local hospitals.

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i personally think that you are leaning more towards radiation therapist. i am in nursing school but i did a lot of resarch on radiology tech programs and it sounds more like what you would want to do. there is interaction with patients but not too much, you always use a computer. they are in demand and are believed to be in more demand than nurses in the upcoming years. you might have to take one physics class but i think you would be able to do that.

just think of it this way, can you see yourself cleaning up poop, changing beds, giving baths and lifting people that might be three times your weight? these are things you not only do it practice but in nursing school alone.

here's some more info if you haven't already seen it. i think it will give you everything you need.

radiation therapists - http://www.tcu.gov.on.ca/eng/ojf/pdf/3215_e.pdf

registered nurses - http://www.tcu.gov.on.ca/eng/ojf/pdf/3215_e.pdf

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