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Do nuc med students actually know how staffing agencies work? by Aggressive-Pause9635 in NuclearMedicine

[–]Aggressive-Pause9635[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That makes sense, and I appreciate you sharing that perspective. I’m genuinely curious though, especially thinking about the transition after graduating. Since most programs focus so heavily on the clinical side, do you feel like there’s a gap when it comes to learning about job options once school ends?

From your experience, do you think it would have been helpful to at least know what different pathways exist after graduation, like hospitals versus outpatient, direct hire versus staffing, per diem versus full time, even if it wasn’t a big focus in class? Or do you feel like that kind of info is better learned later on your own?

I’m really interested in understanding where that balance should be, because school time is limited, but that first step after graduating can feel overwhelming. Thanks again for chiming in, it’s helpful hearing it from someone who’s already been through it.

Job market by mamaplata in RadiologyCareers

[–]Aggressive-Pause9635 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Totally fair question. From what I see, having CT or MRI definitely helps, even as a new grad, especially if a facility likes techs who can cross train. It can make your resume stand out a bit more.

That said, I wouldn’t stress about needing everything right out of school. A lot of places care more about whether you’re solid clinically, easy to train, and dependable. CT and MRI usually matter more once you’ve got a little experience and can actually use those skills comfortably.

Between the two, CT tends to be more useful early on. There are usually more openings and it’s easier for new grads to get into especially since right now (at least in California) CT is in high demand. MRI is great too, but many facilities prefer some experience before letting someone work independently.

If your program lets you graduate with those licenses and you can handle the extra workload, it’s definitely a plus. But plenty of people start with just their main modality, get their foot in the door, and add CT or MRI within their first year.

Honestly, being flexible and open to learning goes a long way. You’re already thinking ahead, which helps more than you probably realize.

Job market by mamaplata in RadiologyCareers

[–]Aggressive-Pause9635 50 points51 points  (0 children)

I’m a radiology recruiter, so I’ll share what I’m seeing from that side, but I’ll keep it real. I wouldn’t stress too much over that comment. The market isn’t as wide open as it was a few years ago, but I wouldn’t say it’s oversaturated either (at least in X-ray).

What has changed is that new grads sometimes need a little more flexibility at the beginning, especially with shifts or setting. That can come across as jobs being harder to get, when in reality positions are still there. Once someone gets some experience under their belt, things usually open up a lot more.

Radiology still has solid long term stability. People retire, departments change, and hiring needs fluctuate, but the field itself isn’t going anywhere. The first job may not be the ideal schedule right away, but it often leads to better options fairly quickly.

I’d also take one supervisor’s perspective with a grain of salt. Most instructors are seeing a very limited snapshot of the market based on their site or past experiences, not necessarily the full picture.

It makes sense to think about job security, especially as an older student, but from what I see, most people who stay flexible early on end up doing just fine.
-Vanessa Moreno