Would Any Nurses Consider A Career As An Ultrasound Technician?!

[Batman24]

My friend is an RN and knows about my interest in becoming a nurse. She talked about how she might have become an Ultrasound Tech if she had to do it all over again. She states the pay is similiar, but the politics and stress involved are often much less. She also states the hours are often standard 40 hour work weeks depending on where you are employed. Just curious as to any feedback any of you might have. Is the pay the same?! Are the educational requirements similiar?! Do I have to take a board test to become licensed for this as well?! Thank you.

[kukukajoo, LPN]

I thought about it when I was exploring my options. I also thought briefly about dental hygenie. I decided Nursing was for me as there are soooo many different jobs within the field of nursing and only one in dental hygenie and ultrasound tech.

Also, there are soooo many less jobs available for US techs, VS a gazillion jobs and places a nurse could work. The 40 hour work week is not true for most places, as they do have ppl on at nites and weekends, call ins and on call, etc.

[meandragonbrett]

I couldn't do anything in radiology. I'd be too bored I think.

[KaroSnowQueen, RN]

I thought seriously about it before I got my present position in case mgmt. You can take regular u/s training plus extra classes to graduate certified as a regular u/s tech, plus ob and cardiac imaging, which does open up md offices as another employment choice. IF I recall correctly, it took 18 months and there was a test, don't know if was licensure or certification to be honest.

I wanted to do it because I was burnt out and tired of the hospital rat race. I was hoping to be bored and left alone if I did it!!!!! (As opposed to working like a dog and bugged to death 12.5 hrs a day!!!!!)

[mrsraisinkain]

I don't know if this is becoming a trend nationwide but here in Ohio the ultrasound program is being converted from an associate degree to a 4 year bachelor degree program. Many local hospitals are requiring their techs to have this degree. I think what you have to get is a Bachelors of Science in Health Professions degree with a major in medical sonography. I don't know if the pay is comparable or not to a nurse's but I think if I was going to school to get a 4 year degree I would get my BSN and, like the others have said, be able to work just about anywhere.