I was just notified last weekend that I've been accepted into my community college's radiography program, so your video/channel couldn't have shown up for me at a better time! Thank you so much for taking the time to break everything down and explain it in as much detail as possible-I really appreciate it as it truly reassures me to have a better idea of what to expect! :)
Good for you for choosing a community college! I went to a vocational school to get my Associate Degree in Health Services Administration, but within that, I also got my Patient Care Technician & Medical Assistant licenses. This way, I can work the clinical & administrative side, so it was all inclusive. Regarding whether or not to get a bachelors or higher, I don't see the difference & it's not fair to only want those with higher degrees for a job that will pay the same amount of money as you stated. For a majority of allied health jobs, you do well with a certification but I recommend getting the associate degree if available. The great thing about an associate degree is if you DID want to go somewhere later on, your prerequisites are done, so you can jump into the core classes.
How is it going? When you say accepted into program, do you mean associates?? Explain please. Sorry if i sound needy, but im in the middle of a mental breakdown and dont know what to do with my life :(
I can’t wait to start my program! It got pushed back a year due to the pandemic. I’m using this extra time to study ahead while working full time. Thanks for the insight! Also, mine is through a community college too: it’s WAY cheaper!! We had to finish prereqs before applying, so I started during my junior year of high school through a different college where I live (the x-ray program community college is out of state). For my program, we also had a point system for entry by GPA, TEAS exam score, another entry test score, a radiology questionnaire, and an in person interview where you also present a 10 min. powerpoint about why you want to go into the field/previous knowledge. Great vid :) 💕
Hi I hope you don’t mind me asking what are prereqs? I’m in my junior year of high school and I’m looking into becoming a radiologist therapist. I don’t know where to start or what are the best programs by where I live.
Loved this break down! Every college is different, side note: I’m really feeling that jean jacket girl 🤗😍lol Thank you for sending the X-ray gang my way as well ✨ we got this but YOU continue to inspire me!
Thank you for making these videos! I already have a bachelor's degree in communication, and I kind of regret it. I originally went to college for neuroscience, but a rough first semester convinced me to do a complete 180, and now I'm not so sure if switching out of a pre-health professional track was the best decision. Now, I'm debating starting a radiologic technology program, but I don't know much about it. Your videos are helping a lot!
Loved this video! I just became an RN and love learning the scope and education of other health care providers! In my final clinical I worked in PACU and absolutely loved our x-ray techs that we frequently needed to call to check placement of chest tubes, NGs, etc. They were always so good with the patients and were lovely to work with. Congrats on being done!!!
Julia, I literally watch your video everu single morning when I'm getting ready to work and school, somehow it gives me positive vibes t'hats why I'm so happy that you upload everyday 😍🙆 keep it up julia! Love your videos!
Great video Julia! I like how u treat each patient with that high level of kindness! Just asking a simple question like u do about the weather makes a difference.
PSYCHOLOGY, BIOLOGY, ENGLISH, SOCIOLOGY, SPEECH, INTRO TO COMPUTERS ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY INTEGRATION & PATIENT CARE.. those are basically the pre-req's for my school then its the X-RAY hands on stuff and then the clinicals i'm in southern California. also community college.
Our program did do interviews but I think they phased those out now so I believe its just a point system/based on GPA now. I worked full time during the program and I got burnt out super quick but it was so worth it! It is time consuming and can get to be a lot if you aren't balancing your time well but I tried not to stress myself out and just study and do what I could with every second I got. loved the video Julia! :)
I’m so excited to watch! I’m only nine seconds in but already commenting cuz I love your content - it’s always so informative! I am waiting for a call for my interview to get into the tech program for jan 2021 and I’m so freaking nervous but ready to get this show on the road! I am hoping I’ll get in! 🤞🏽 Ok now on to actually watching the video! Lol
Whats up! I been a MRI tech going on 4 years now and love the job. I agree with you there's no really point in getting g a bachelors degrees. You won't get paid more! Anyone thats going to school rite now for radiologic technologist hang in their!
I needed to hear this today😭 im currently a junior in rad school and girl its so overwhelming right now😭 but your advice inspires me so much, i love your videos❤️❤️
Hi Julia. Thank you very much for these helpful videos! I’m starting my rad tech program this September. Do you think it’s a good idea to start studying A&P and Med Term early before I start? Thanks 😊
Absolutely! My program relied heavily on A&P and med term. Knowing terms such as supine, prone, anterior, posterior, distal, proximal, lateral, medial, inferior, superior, cranial, caudal, oblique, sagittal, coronal, axial, etc. will be super helpful!
Thank you for posting this! I'm about to start my prereqs to eventually apply to my community college's radiology program. Anything you'd recommend to make you stand out for the application process (on paper)? Just good grades?
Thanks for the video! Definitely needed that motivation. Starting clinical back up next week after being off since March due to covid & I’m feeling so nervous & overwhelmed since it’s been so long. I need to keep remembering to not be so hard on myself 😓
Gud evening... I have a problem with our sirona xray machine. Our machine can take a panoramic radiography but i can't change the program to other transaction. The machine hang and restart and back to panoramic(P1). What should be the possible problem of our machine?
Community college is SO MUCH cheaper compared to NDSU. I have no student loans except for my first year as a transfer student at MSUM which is only $14,000 at the moment compared to probably $30,000+. Taking prereqs at a cc is a lot nicer than at a university because you save a shit ton of money. I'm so glad I didn't go to a university for four years.
I start my 1 semester of Rad Tech in a few weeks! I’m extremely nervous & excited. Thank for you informational videos & Congrats on passing your boards!!!
I do not study anything medical, or even know some of the things you said simply because that’s not my profession, but Julia, you’re so sweet and amazing and still love watching these videos☺️🤍
Hello! I'm planning to apply to a rad tech program next year but I'm wondering if there is any blood or needles involved? Do radiographers have to use needles to insert IVs or catheters and such?
yes you’ll see blood and needles. Programs are required for the ARRT exam to cover venipuncture, but we used a fake arm to practice. The only time I’ve ever experienced starting an IV was for an exam called an IVP/IVU (most large hospitals have a nurse start the IVs though)
Hi! I’m currently taking pre-reqs for rad tech. I was wondering what else you did other than taking the pre-requisite courses? Did you volunteer at hospitals or had a job at one prior to getting into the program?
Would this career field be good for someone that enjoys physics? I enjoy physics but I’m not sure if I want to major in it because of the job prospects. Would this be a good alternative for someone that likes physics and has a basic understanding of Anatomy and Physiology? I love your hair color by the way.
I got really lucky I got into a bachelors program with my pre-reqs took me less than a year after I changed my (I changed twice 5th year senior here😩) major! My program used to be a AAS degree so we’re the second class to get a BS we just have to go to clinic the summer after graduation for our specialty!! Every program is different even in our state. I hope to do MRI as mine hopefully. I also like cardiac sonography but in our school it’s another program. I already feel burnt out and I’m just now starting second year😅😅
Rad techs respond to traumas - motor vehicle accidents, gun shot wounds, falls, etc. We also go into surgery on a daily basis to run a portable X-ray unit called a C-arm, so you can see some pretty gruesome things daily
Love to have found your channel! I am still a student for radiology/radiotherapy and nucleair tech in the Netherlands (four years long). So interesting how it is so different over here! We only have a bachelor version and after getting my diploma I can work at the three different departements (radiology/radiotherapy/nucleair). Those are a few of the differences. I love to see how it is different in all countries. I LOVE our job and I am so passionate about it :). What is the reason you choose for radiology?
Did you every give your clinical instructor/ Techs at the site an end of semester gift? I’m not sure if that’s common but apparently we do that at my school but I’m not sure what to do 😅
Sadly I wasn't able to! I graduated in May of 2020 so everything was shut down :( we went on spring break thinking we would go back to clinical, but that ended up being the end of my program! I didn't get to say goodbye to any of my classmates, techs at clinical, or my instructors and we didn't get to walk at graduation. It was a bummer!
I'm about to enter my senior year this summer 2022 as a rad tech student and let me tell you im dien to finish becuz i'm having a horrible experience, some techs don't have patience for students and I've been bullied and humiliated just because I learn different and i'm a slow learner ..some techs just throw you on your own and they expect you to know everything and if you don't is a problem I've got in trouble cuz of other techs mistakes and that's not fair ...hopefully i get through this cuz now i have anxiety and depression cuz of this program ..at first i was excited now everything went down hill ..im i going to quit? no ill keep fighting but this is going to be hell until i graduate
40 hours is a ton we only got 8 a semester and then had to make it up if we missed! Great video though, I just passed my ARRT, you will do great based on how motivated you are!
Honestly I don’t feel like it would be! My program had clinical Monday, Wednesday, Friday and classes on the off days. The workload for studying got pretty heavy at times!
@@JuliaKristine I'm a non clinical staff now at a hospital and there are a lot of downtime, figured I'd do the studying there and do some unofficial shadowing some nights. The clinical as you mentioned though, don't think I'd be able to make it at the sight on time if I get off at 0600. Thank you for the info.
Somewhat! It's all cumulative, so once you learn the basics in Radiation Physics, the remaining classes will use what you learned in that class. Hope that makes sense!
Although Colonoscopies have greatly replaced Barium Enemas (aka BE's), how Nervous or Embarrassed were you when having to "Tip" and Administer your first BE? Was the patient OK (cooperative, embarrassed...etc) with you being just a Student at the time??
@@JuliaKristine Thanks for the reply. It just sure sounds Em-Bare-Assing though ..especially since most techs are Girls and that's who a guy patient can expect!! ...and after the "tipping" comes all that "Flipping"!...Sigh!
You’re going to see that daily! You likely won’t be administering the needles but you have to prepare them for the Radiologist during fluoroscopy studies
I’m looking at applying to this 6 semester rad tech program at a CC. Tuition is 40k but includes books, drug screening, cpr training, & background checks. From your experience & opinion with looking & applying to rad tech schools, Is this pretty reasonable?
is there a lot of math involved? is it hard? and is there a lot of physics in the actual job? i’m terrified of those two subjects so i’m still trying to decide if this is right for me :/
In the program, yes there is a lot of math and physics. In daily practice, no. It's important that you have a good understanding of these concepts though in order to acquire the best images possible and to proper expose your patients
Lots of professions are that way, unfortunately. But if you were to ever want to advance in your career in radiology, they always say “money is in the modalities”
The risk was a lot greater many years ago (1950s-1980s) due to the higher dose that was required to image. Our imaging equipment today is far more advanced and requires much less radiation to achieve an optimal image. However, to answer your question - you're going to be around radiation every day in x-ray, CT, interventional radiography, and mammography because those modalities all use radiation to achieve the images. But to ease your mind a bit, you will be protected behind a lead-lined booth during exposure. If you must be directly in the room, you are required to wear a lead apron and thyroid collar. Rad Techs also wear a monitor called a dosimeter that keeps track of any potential radiation exposure you may have, and it cannot exceed the guidelines of 5 rem set by the NCRP. I don't personally know a single person that has exceeded that in a quarter! Also, to mention some other professions: surgeons, physician's assistants, surgical techs, anesthesiologists, nurses, etc. are exposed to radiation on a daily basis in their daily work. To note, there is natural radiation all around us constantly. Lots of other occupations get radiation exposure, too! (For example, flight attendants). This article has some helpful points (although they call us technicians, which is incorrect haha!) www.everydayhealth.com/pictures/radioactive-jobs-and-their-cancer-risks/
Hey girl! Me again haha! I started clinical last week! Today was my second day! How do I know if I’m doing good?! My preceptor, and I are definitely on good terms..we laugh together and she doesn’t make me feel like a bother for the lack of better words haha she told me I can do chest by myself next time we get one (you know that’s the first you learn and abdomen) and then she shows me the rest of whatever walks in! She definitely likes that I read ahead to know landmarks / angles .. ect- but basically- as a second day student it’s “ok” to not do much besides assisting- cleaning still right? Some of my friends said they are doing so many x rays (in hospitals very busy) I’m in a outpatient that’s not so busy. So I just wanna be sure I’m doing well! Haha
Sounds like you're doing great!! Honestly clinical is full of ups and downs, highs and lows - but that's what comes with learning something brand new! Absolutely! You can only do what you can with the exams you're given, and hopefully you'll get to a site that will be busier so you can gain those experiences too!
@@JuliaKristine thank you girl! You, and your videos always make me feel so prepared!!! Also, congratulations x100 on your full time/benefits position! ♥️
Yeah rad tech, sonography, radiation therapy and nuclear med all have the same pre reqs in my state. Physics is required. Its gonna take me 5 years to get my bachelors due to the pre reqs being 2 and 1/2 year and a gap until the next application period.
I'm so scared to see broken bones and people in horrible pain. I start the program next year but just thinking about seeing that kinda stuff makes me nauseous. I want to end up in an outpatient clinic but for clinicals I know I'm gonna have to go in the OR sometimes. Im terrified
I have a question for anyone in this field. I'd like to transition into a healthier career that involves lots of specialized skills but also a fair bit of physical work in a clean environment and I hear rad tech might fit the bill. How much standing, walking and moving about in a hospital setting do rad tech do in a typical shift? What about other physical duties such as setting up imaging equipment and helping to move patients physically (covid safely of course)?
I used to get 10,000-12,000 steps per day when I worked at the hospital. If you work in a hospital - you’ll have to stand in surgery wearing a lead apron for multiple hours at a time. Lots of walking with portable exams. Lots of potential to have to slide patients from the ER. The equipment itself doesn’t require much physical labor though
Great job on your video. I have not viewed your 1 year video yet but I intend to. I am affiliated with an AAS radiography program and would like to, with your permission (and our institution's IT approval) put a link to your video on our website in our application information. We convey this information to the students in an orientation prior to their acceptance, and we allow them to question current students in the program without faculty present, but perhaps the experience related by a recent graduate from a similar program of the same type will help them to understand how intensive the 2 years really is.
i'm getting a bachelor's degree in neuroscience at a major university right now and i'm worried i won't be able to become an mri technologist easily because of it :') they don't have an undergraduate radiology program/major i could switch into :(
After the covid break I got so rusty and I’ve messed up more than I ever did before it’s been so stressful but I’m getting better. I was never one to mix up L and R😰
It's actually radiologic technologist, not technician. Salary is very subjective. I personally am happy with my pay. If you're curious about starting wages, Google "rad tech salary" for your state.
I wouldn’t do that just for the fact it’s a ton of extra classes and tuition to get a completely separate degree. Is there a reasoning you’re wanting to pursue that path? Most Radiology program applications tend to be based on GPA and the grades you have in the prerequisite classes, and some may have an interview process. After going through the program, at graduation you will have an AAS degree (unless you were to apply to a bachelor’s program), so the extra health science degree wouldn’t be necessary to work as a Rad Tech
@@JuliaKristine I always have an interest in the medical field and want to be somewhere in the Med field. Besides, I'm visual learning and I think this is a good way to start. I already have some science course (Used to be a Bio major with a minor in Chem)
