Watching this video changed my life! Thank you so much for posting this video! A couple of years ago I had no idea what to do with myself... after watching this video I was intrigued to pursue ultrasound. Found an accredited program, got in first time applying, graduated, and here I am going on my third registry!!! To this day I remember this post and was talking to my friend about it the other day. She suggested I contact you and let you know. You literally diverted my life! I kno, so weird that a video can do that! I just wanted you to kno how you’ve impacted my life! 💕💗💕💗 A thousand thank you’s!!!
Thanks for your comment, Nicky. I'm so glad that you were able to find a career that is a good fit for you, and I'm honored that I could be a help in that decision. May God bless you on your journey. -Ben
Thank you so much for this breakdown, I am truly excited about embarking on my new journey, this will be the first time I am enrolled in college I can't wait to start my classes!
+Mariela Orozco Thank you very much for your comment, Mariela! They are both great careers. I totally understand about not feeling smart enough...I was the same EXACT way...I constantly stressed about it, but glad I didn't let that hold me back. I have a video I made on not feeling smart enough for nursing school that may help encourage you: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-668Ke3NyiVQ.html Just know you're not alone in your feelings and it is very normal. I wish you the best and either route you go is a great choice :)
A common misconception is that ultrasound is much easier than nursing school. I promise you it’s not. I am not a nurse, but I know that their schedule and workload in school is rigorous. However, I am a sonographer and I can tell you that the workload and schedule is also rigorous. It is very competitive to get into a sonography program, as well as starting off with a set work schedule once you graduate. Once you get into a program, you have to pass a physics board exam which is 175 questions in three hours. That does not make you a register sonographer though. SPI is a gateway board exam for your actual registries. You cannot take your actual registries without passing the physics exam. However, once you pass it, then, you can sit for the board exam corresponding to your school’s concentration. (Vascular, echo, general) my students usually think that once they graduate, all the studying stops. It actually continues for years and years after you graduate because every sonographer is constantly wanting to get the next registry. And each registry is equally long and difficult to pass. But not impossible. This is not to discourage you, but to let you know what you would be getting into for ultrasound.
As a Sonographer, I will tell you now that working at a hospital is at no point laid back. Imagine jamming your wrist into someone with a BMI for 71 to obtain a 3mm Common Bile duct measurement. Or if you work in a hospital, you watch us bring a machine on the floor for intubated patients. This involved a lot of uncomfortable positions and physical wear and tear on our bodies. No one hires certificate graduates anymore. Some hospitals have clinical ladders for ultrasound too.
i’m even more nervous going into this profession now! i’m 17 and i had no idea what i was gonna do with my life and just researched and dedicated myself to being a sonographer. but it seems so difficult idk if i’d be able to do it :(
Amen! I do this too. It sucks! Everyone is so morbidly obese. They dont tell you that in school. I hate this job I do cardiac ultrasound. Mine is even worse!
I watch almost all of your videos, the info is great..but the camera focus is often buggy. If possible, I would suggest you move the camera back about a foot or two, or wear a dark shirt/dark marker. Keep up the great videos!
+Woodscrafters Apprentice Thanks for watching, and I appreciate your input. We are currently reviewing our options for better lighting/camera quality, and/or adjusting the zoom. Thanks again!
So I'm really considering this career route. Only problem is that I'm nervous about how time consuming/difficult a DMS program will be. The thing is that I already have a BA in a different field so I know what to expect. But the fact that it's in the medical field is very intimidating. Any tips to overcoming this trepidation? 😕
+Diana Bahena If you already have a BA, that proves you're teachable. As long as you have the drive and discipline, you'll do great. Believe in yourself, and remind yourself that you've already obtained one degree---something a lot of people never do. Just remember: winners never quit, and quitters never win. I wish you the best of luck if you decide to pursue this profession. -Ben
With a BA, you can immediately sit for the DMS registry exam after you finish your Associate (in DMS of course). But make sure your program is CAAHEP-Accredited before you start!!! Google their list of schools and see if there’s one near you. The hiring process is already brutal, and not coming from a CAAHEP-accredited school will only make it worse. Trust me!
@@DaWahine79 Ummm you can sit for the boards after you graduate from an accredited school. No correlation to a BA and registries. Evan, Sonographer, RDMS
+Adrian Garcia I would look for universities and community colleges in your area to see what type of programs are available. You can use Google or a phone book to look up colleges/schools in your area. You can then see what programs they offer and how much they cost.
I live in CA and have been considering becoming a RN for a long time now and I have just applied and sent everything off to the program and all I have left is the TEAS exam, but lately I have been feeling really down and having some really low thoughts about the program. The schools and programs out here are very competitive and I don't think that my grades and GPA are going to be my key into the program. I've been looking for a back up plan and have been considering this, but I have another questions; Do you need other educational requirements for this? I will be receiving my associates in Allied Health in May or can I just go into it with that?
+Jayna Holman Hello, Jayna. I know it is easy to doubt yourself, but you shouldn't give up so soon on nursing. My wife also doubted herself and often felt like she wasn't smart enough. She even made a video about this. However, she ended up graduating with honors. If you don't do nursing, ultrasound tech is another great career option. This video covered the basic requirements, but it's always best to look up programs in your area to see the exact curriculum and requirements. Just make sure it is accredited. By the way, you seem intelligent enough to me--you have excellent writing skills (far better than most comments we get, lol). Thanks so much, and hang in there! -Ben, the guy in the video.
That is not the worst part, getting hired is the hardest part. Nobody wants to talk about that, but good thing i found out about it before wasting $50,000 dollars on a useless degree. Female are always preferred, no one wants to hire a male sonographer.
So I only have my HS diploma...never went to college. I'm thinking about becoming a DMS. It seems like most of the ppl commenting here already have AAs or BAs. Can anyone tell me where to start? What requirements r needed? I live in LA county, if that helps. Ty.
I'm really interested in a sonography career, but I'm concerned that ultrasound techs could be eventually replaced by robots/advanced technology. I hope I'm wrong.
Sonographers are diagnosticians and all systems are user dependent. Technology is a long, long way from replacing DMS. However XR, CT and MRI techs could be replaced much sooner.
+Kishun Barker many women are discriminatory to men in this field. You might get hired in large cities like NYC, ATL, MIA, LA, and CHI, but the most southern states and conservative mid to small cities only hire me for lousy night shifts! the pay is good tho.
I would like to know a few things... 1) What are the differences in job advancements between an RN and a DMS? 2) What is the ease of ability to be able to land a job is you decide to relocate? 3) Are you able to become an RN, or DMS, and then cross over to the other field, and later combine them?
+Jose Delgado .... One more question....I know as an RN you must renew your licence I believe every two years and I was told you do it obtaining CME's, and then by taking the NCLEX-RN refresher exam.....Is this correct? ....and does a DMS have to do the same thing to renew their license?
+Jose Delgado 1. RNs have better job advancement opportunities in my opinion, because there are a lot more specialties and industries in which you can work. 2. It really depends on the job market in the area in which you plan to move, and your area of focus as a DMS. 3. It depends on your state regulations. Some states only want you to practice in your highest scope of practice. You'd have to contact the state board of nursing for more information regarding that. 4. I renew my license by paying a fee. I have never had to take an NCLEX-RN refresher course. You do have to take continuing education courses over the years. Thanks for your questions!
1) RNs have more job advancements. For sonographers, you can be a lead tech or manager but that’s about it. 2) Anything outside of CA is a higher chance of landing a job with sonography. CA is so saturated that other states throw money at DMS grads to move and work for them instead. 3) Yes, you can cross over to either field. I know of an RN, still an RN, and is also doing OB sonography. Some sonographers transition to nursing because of lack of opportunities in their own state. As far as registries, there’s no license renewal for DMS but it’s encouraged to have more than one registry. Typically, RDMS in Abdomen, OB and Vascular are the most common (all three of them). Plus CEUs to maintain your license.
Hello and thank you for your informative video! Is there any free training out there for Ultrasound Tech certification - other than military? Thanks, Ed.
+Ed G Thanks for your question, Ed. I don't know of any programs that are free. However, there may be scholarships or financial aid available, depending on your state. You may want to use a search engine to see if you can find any scholarship or financial aid programs that will help you cover your cost. In addition, there are some tax credits available as well.
Never go in to echo! The patients are too fat! You will burn your shoulder out in two years! The patients are getting fatter. Not skinnier. Also, its all about the money. The more they can get you to do the better off the hospital or practice is financially. Echo ultrasound is the worst. Do not try it. Your body can not take the constant pressure needed to get an image. Everybody is fat. I wish someone told me that before I started this career. I am in constant pain. I take Aleve everyday. I hate this career. Think twice about this! Ultrasound is the worst career you can have. I am in year 15 of my career. I hate it!
does vascular sonography also deal with fatter patients? what area do you think is the easiest to specialize in? i’m planning on taking general for now! :) i hope your situation gets better though!!
@@veanne Just now seeing your reply sorry about that. Vascular is no better. Especially lower extremities. Only upper vascular is okay. Meaning carotid and cranial imaging. Patients now a days are all morbidly obese. It takes double the time and double the effort to work on obese patients. Nobody wants to work on obese patients. They run the other way if your obese. Something you will find out if you pursue this career. My opinion is stay away from healthcare. Go into something else. Healthcare sucks. Everybody is fat. Run away now from all ultrasound modalities. Nothing about this career is good.
Hi I just went to couple college to see the this program however I'm 38 years old resident at Florida state and I want to grow up professional do you think still I will have chance at my age in this area ?
I'm a junior in high school soon to be senior. Do I have to do chemistry my senior year? I'm already thinking about physics and I currently do anatomy and physiology
+the smartistic Great question! It really depends on what the ultrasound program requires as a pre-req. I would look at the school you want to attend and see if they require you to take chemistry. Or email a person over the program and ask them. I hope that helps :)
+Jazmin B Thanks for your question. I'm not familiar with the Baltimore area. You may want to search for a list of online programs in your area. The key is to make sure it's accredited. I wish you the best of luck!
Is sonography program accredit by Council on Occupational Education count as accredit? Am I allow to take ardms exam by not accredit by caahep? I see most of them are accredit for caahep for ardms.
+Luis Galvan Depends on the facility. Many in doctor's offices work a more traditional 8-4 or 9-5. In hospitals may have more of a 12-hour shift. You may want to check job listings in your area for details. Thanks so much for your comment!
I currently work 2 jobs and cleared over $200k last year. I work a lot of overtime but I don't mind. Can I expect to make anything close to that if I hustle a bit with overtime? Second job? Per diem or whatever?
+Erika saucedo Personally, I think nursing is because there are many advancement opportunities (meaning more money), job positions, and specialties available than a sonographer. Both are great careers but in terms of options nursing is a better fit. I hope that helps :) -Sarah
Unless you mean vascular. Both are very different. Echocardiography focuses mainly on the heart. Vascular focuses on the entire vascular system of the body.
Awesome video. I can’t wait to start my RVT career , even tho I am a guy but I’m very excited and passionate to enter this profession. Thank you so much your videos .
I am definitely going this route, but the school I'm looking into is not accredited by CAAHEP, but it is accredited by ABHES. Is this a good accreditation to have? I have been searching for the answer to this question for a long time now, but I can't seem to find anybody who can answer it. (Also, I live in Texas if that matters)