Some Sonography Help

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Well, I'll start off by saying, I know this is allnurses.com, but I've seen some other discussions regarding sonography, as well.

I started with the intent of wanting to get my RN degree, but as my acceptance into the program draws near, I'm reconsidering. I'm reconsidering because I do not believe with the stress levels and amounts of work, being fully compassionate with patients seems highly unlikely (based on my characteristics).

I'm now looking into Sonography and have a few questions. I shadow a few doing scans at my school in 2 days, and we'll have a better feel if thats what I want to do. But after reading lots of articles, it sounds so intriguing and makes me feel giddy. Mainly, because I've hit a career deciding stuck (although, I'm only 19 and thats normal).

I know its not as opportunistic as nursing, but I know nursing just isn't for me. Especially after hearing my friend talk about the program and clinicals. At my community college, only 12 are accepted into the program and I was just curious as to how easy it was to get a job as a sonographer. I've always been fascinated by technology and torn between healthcare or technological career fields. This seems like the perfect match.

I'd like to hear some opinions about the career availabilities of sonographers and some insight from other sonographers or nurses working with or know people who are sonographers. Negative or positive thoughts are welcome, as long as they as unbiased as they can be.

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Specializes in Psych and Substance Abuse.

I actually considered sonography recently and I would do it except that the closest school is 2 hours away. I say go for it if it is what you want to do. It is definitely different from nursing though. I would agree that your career options are limited with sonography but you could possibly teach later on. I'm sure there are more options I'm just not sure what they are. I know someone who is a sonographer and she loves it. She works part time and is paid well I think. For the most part they get paid as much or sometimes more than nurses. You also can specialize in OB or echo. Good luck in your decision!

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Specializes in Oncology, Triage, Tele, Med-Surg.

I think sono is a great option. I keep trying to talk my son into it but he thinks it sounds totally boring. I think it sounds like a pretty sweet deal.

Good luck. :)

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Thank you both.

It seems I can find more knowledge about nursing then I can sonography.

My other concern is the program limitability. I just hope I get in, since its yearly acceptance, that'd be a long way to wait to reapply. I have all the prereq's plus like 10 more health science classes I didnt need. Only thing is I don't have any experience in a hospital setting. I hope it doesnt effect my chances. Although, I do have a GPA of 3.12 after my first semester and after this one, it'll be roughly 3.5 and minimum is 2.5 for my school

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As a RN, if I had to do it over agian, I would choose sonography or xray tech. I love being a RN, but it is stressful. There are many options for sonography. From OB to cardiac....you can specialize. I wish you luck in whatever you decide!

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Specializes in Oncology, Triage, Tele, Med-Surg.

A friend of our started as a sonographer & specialized in echoes, worked with several cardiologists etc. He eventually went to work for a company that makes implantable defibrillators, so now he scrubs in on the cases and does the set up for the interventional cardiologists in the E.P. labs. - Makes a nice buck too.

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Specializes in School, FNP.

My mother in law, the 30 year ER nurse when I started talking about going back to school to get my BSN told me not to, to go to sono instead. I didn't listen, am now an RN and have a sweet job, albeit not a traditional hospital one (did that, did't love it). I looked into it before I decided to pursue nursing, and think that it would be a terrific career. When I worked in the ER would sometimes spend time wtih the techs in sono/x-ray. Thay seemed pretty happy, much less stressed than the nurses. Good luck deciding.

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Nursing seems very awesome, that's why I was drawn into doing it. But after a more in-depth look into it and hearing from my friend in the program, it seems much too stressful for what I'm looking for career wise.

I just hit a bump in the road though. The sonography program at my community college is a 2 year program, but I'm not too sure if its Accredited or not. A friend told me that it wasn't for a long time, but they were just accredited and that's why it's now a 2 year degree when it used to be a 1 year degree. I'm hoping so, but if not I suppose I'll do Radiography instead.

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