X-Ray Tech..know anyone?

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Hello Everyone...So i am about to go in the nursing program this fall and start my classes, when I started thinking about becoming an x-ray technician...I am sure all of the nurses here know a little more about x-ray technician jobs than me seeing how they probably talk to them often...>Do they seem to like there jobs?

I know its hard to get into the program, but I think if I get all A's in science courses and volunteer, keep my CNA that i Could get in!... Plz any information on it would be great! Experiences yourself if u have any.. Thanks!

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Specializes in Peds, PICU, Home health, Dialysis.

I don't have any experience; however, there is a student in my class (very good friend of mine) who was an x-ray tech for 5 years. She enjoyed her job for the most part and made good money ($26/hour I believe).

However, she became very bored with it very quickly because it is the same thing over and over and over again. I don't think it was very challenging anymore for her.

After seeing x-ray tech's doing their job, I know I would get very bored it.

Why were you suddenly attracted to this field?

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My mom has been an x-ray tech for 35 yrs. and tried to get me to go into it, but nursing was a better match for me. Here are a few reasons:

I am a people person. I like to get to know people and somewhat bond with them. In nursing I am able to do that, whereas in x-ray you see patients for a very limited time.

I do not like repetition. I like to something new and different everyday. I could not imagine sitting or standing in a cold room all day hitting a button.

I am an adrenaline junkie. As a nurse you never know what is about to come through your doors next. To me that is exciting.

In nursing the opportunities are endless in both departments and locations. 10 yrs ago when my mom was trying to talk me into x-ray school hospitals were paying $10,000 sign on bonuses, now the supply has caught up with the demand, and the jobs aren't so easy to come by. The nursing shortage continues to grow and I'm not sure the supply will ever catch up with the demand.

And the #1 reason I chose nursing:

As a nurse I am able to make a direct impact on a patient and their families lives. I am not just the lady who did their CAT Scan. I am the lady who held their hand when the doc told them the bad news, sat and talked to them when nobody came to visit, called for orders in the middle of the night to get them a sleeping pill, explained to them why their meds were so important and on and on and on.

I have many friends that are x-ray techs, and for them it was a great choice. It just wasn't for me. Good luck with your decision!

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Specializes in Medical Surgical.

I was an x-ray tech before I was a nurse, and I keep my registration in both current. I enjoyed being an x-ray tech HOWEVER it seems in many places the market is flooded. My advice is to go into nursing.

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Thank you for the replies... I just figured x-ray tech was something different, my sister is a nurse so I wanted to do something different.....

I know that one of you said you were/are an x-ray tech, was the schooling super hard and hard to get into? Could I get in with a B in chemistry?? I could always retake it but just wondering.

I was thinking about trying to get both of my licenses as well and if like hospitals let you work some of the time as a nurse and some as an x-ray tech??? not sure at all or if I would just switch once in awhile?!?!?

Any more information would be nice... Thanks again for all who replied!:redpinkhe

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Specializes in Medical Surgical.

I don't think you would have any trouble with having a B in chemistry. My experience with x-ray school and the national boards was that x-ray is mostly about anatomy and physics, not chemistry. But nothing really, really hard. And no, I have not seen hospitals letting people work part-time in x-ray and part-time in nursing, and I wouldn't advise it if they did. Once licensed in nursing, you are held to nursing protocol when working with a patient, even as an xray tech, and xray supervisors are not really eager to try to evaluate and manage that.

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Thanks! i suppose that makes sense, would be quite difficult with scheduling... I suppose i could just work as a nurse a couple years and then x-ray tech...ha not sure why i want to do both or if i will (just a big goal i like to have), but what made you decide to go into both?? or were you one before the other and did not like it as much?

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In nursing the opportunities are endless in both departments and locations. 10 yrs ago when my mom was trying to talk me into x-ray school hospitals were paying $10,000 sign on bonuses, now the supply has caught up with the demand, and the jobs aren't so easy to come by. The nursing shortage continues to grow and I'm not sure the supply will ever catch up with the demand.

There is plenty of supply but not enough jobs.

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If you believe there is a nursing shortage you have been misinformed but, sadly you are not alone

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