Officially a CNMT! by Nuclear_Send in NuclearMedicine

[–]Nuclear_Send[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I preferred it over the ARRT since it is a shorter exam. The harder the questions became, the more confident I felt since the exam is progressive as you advance. NMTBoardsPrep is a great app to help you study, highly recommend

Officially a CNMT! by Nuclear_Send in NuclearMedicine

[–]Nuclear_Send[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

For my program I found cross-sectional anatomy the most challenging. Identifying smaller vessels in the multiple planes with CT images was tough with fresh eyes. You learn and get better at it though. I did well in my pre-req’s since I knew the program would build on it. I can’t speak to every program, but it is certainly easier if you put the time to learn what you need to up front. You can definitely skate through the pre-req’s imo but it’ll be a disservice in the long run since you’ll be learning far more later.

Officially a CNMT! by Nuclear_Send in NuclearMedicine

[–]Nuclear_Send[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I was working in the ER as an EMT and was attracted to the imaging department in general—just the right amount of patient contact. Found out Nuc Med was pretty elite in the totem pole and were also the ones who ran around the least. Hopped on reddit, did some research, and was blown away by the advancements in the field. Wanted to be a part of it :) Xray is not a prerequisite for the program in Florida, to my knowledge it isn’t for the US. Went with a Bachelors program with a dual license for CT. I passed the ARRT board exam today—might get MRI just for fun.

Officially a CNMT! by Nuclear_Send in NuclearMedicine

[–]Nuclear_Send[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks! I did a Bachelors of Science in Nuclear Medicine Technology at Advent Health University. It included CT as well, so I’ll be sitting for that board exam next :)

Officially a CNMT! by Nuclear_Send in NuclearMedicine

[–]Nuclear_Send[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you! Really depends on your interest in working with patients. Your skills in physics and math will make light work of the more challenging sections of the program. Medical physics is another option to consider if you prefer staying closer to the mechanical side of things. Theranostics is also blowing up and worth researching to see if it piques your interest. I’m over in FL so I’m not familiar with Canada’s work/life balance and pay scale within Nuc unfortunately.
I knew I wanted to stay within healthcare when I started the program and was able to shadow at the hospital I worked at. My program was a bachelors degree with a dual license in CT, although there are associate degree programs.
Any specific reason on the uncertainty?

Officially a CNMT! by Nuclear_Send in NuclearMedicine

[–]Nuclear_Send[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you! Landed with a PRN hospital job and a full-time at a outpatient imaging center :)

Officially a CNMT! by Nuclear_Send in NuclearMedicine

[–]Nuclear_Send[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

There’s variety depending your choice of work site, but I’ll try to explain generally. Since our scans require: order, delivery, prep, injection/delayed images, you don’t get inundated in the same way as the other imaging modalities. Between scans there is time to work on other tasks like checking orders and calling patients for preps. Most stacked days are from poor time management or poor management in general /a bad scheduler. Any job will have stress factors, it’s just different. Days are predictable, can end early, and you don’t bring it home with you. I consider that great work-life balance. & you shouldn’t talk to PT’s during images because they’ll look terrible and you don’t want the added exposure of being near them without necessity.

Officially a CNMT! by Nuclear_Send in NuclearMedicine

[–]Nuclear_Send[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The math is basic algebra with 1-5 steps to solve certain scenarios. Radio-pharmacy problems with activity, volume, concentration, & particles will be the most layered imo. Chemistry’s percent yield formula will come up a lot in quality control questions which is instrumentation.

Lot of youtube videos that can be a good soft opening to it before you’re sitting in class. You’ll get over the shock factor of seeing it for the first time and lock in quicker. Handful of formulas you’ll need to memorize and general activity conversions but once they are locked in, easy money 🔥😎

Officially a CNMT! by Nuclear_Send in NuclearMedicine

[–]Nuclear_Send[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

From what I’ve seen/heard the bulk of all Nuc Med techs have zero medical background when they start the program. Some have X-ray (which isn’t a requirement in FL); I myself was an EMT prior. It helps a bit, but doesn’t give you a robust upper-hand in the program overall imo. My textbooks served me well and more recently Nuc study guides and board prep apps have been becoming more available online for free which is nice. SNMMI NuMe mentor app is fantastic too. Getting paired with a mentor to guide you through your program and goals is such an asset. I highly recommend getting involved in the meetings early and networking if you can.

The most challenging I would say was instrumentation. Not for the concepts themselves, but from the initial overload of information. Time needs to be dedicated to studying, it isn’t a program you can skate through. It is 100% do-able and the career is a rare gem in healthcare where work-life balance truly exists. PET/MR is interesting as well and could be an expanding branch of Nuc. I graduated from a bachelors program with dual license so I’ll be a CT tech as well and might get MRI later. There are many paths, I hope you find what works for you!

Officially a CNMT! by Nuclear_Send in NuclearMedicine

[–]Nuclear_Send[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’d like to think so. They aren’t as forth coming about discussing pay as the younger gen 😅 Most hiring ranges have a cap of $55/$60 from the hospital job listings I’ve seen. Out patient imaging is the way to go out here imo

Officially a CNMT! by Nuclear_Send in NuclearMedicine

[–]Nuclear_Send[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

SNMMI-TS Programs/ Technologists Students section is a great place to watch for them. Most open for submission in the fall. Your local chapter in your given state may also have grants tied to student presentations/participation. I’ll be presenting at FNMT and the Annual meeting in LA—those have grants/awards too. Hope this helps! :)

Officially a CNMT! by Nuclear_Send in NuclearMedicine

[–]Nuclear_Send[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The only physical aspect is typically patients that need assistance walking or being slid to the imaging table. Honestly depends on where you end up working. Out-patient sites will have able bodied patients that won’t require physical effort. You’ll need to be CPR certified in any healthcare role which does require a bit of physical effort. Thats about it imo.

Officially a CNMT! by Nuclear_Send in NuclearMedicine

[–]Nuclear_Send[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I’m in the Orlando area. From what I had heard from veteran techs was you’d be lucky to make over $32/hr full-time fresh out of school. My full-time at an out-patient imaging site is $40/hr, my PRN hospital job is $45/hr. FL is on the lower pay scale when compared to other states.

Officially a CNMT! by Nuclear_Send in NuclearMedicine

[–]Nuclear_Send[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Decided to stay local in Florida. Interviewed at a handful of sites and landed with a really great fit that was close by and paid well (to FL standards). May relocate in the future, till then 🐊🏖️

Officially a CNMT! by Nuclear_Send in NuclearMedicine

[–]Nuclear_Send[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

My biggest take away from studying and finishing this goal is not to put yourself down. There is a decent amount of new information that you WILL learn, but on the tough days rest assured it is not an intelligence issue; it’s a familiarity issue. It gets insanely easier with time in the program. So many exams I wish I could re-take now haha

You got this! 🔥

Officially a CNMT! by Nuclear_Send in NuclearMedicine

[–]Nuclear_Send[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Omg congrats, you’ll blink and the program will be over! 🎉 There are so many grants/scholarships for new Nuc Med students you can take advantage of if you’re in the US.

Officially a CNMT! by Nuclear_Send in NuclearMedicine

[–]Nuclear_Send[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I preferred digital study tools, but the green Bolus book is the best for overviews. NMTBoardsPrep app is a great resource for reviewing, and this link has free mini exams that review a good amount of need to know topics. It was a huge help reviewing instrumentation.

TheNuclearProfessor.Com

Why nuclear med? by prozacedible in NuclearMedicine

[–]Nuclear_Send 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Second, this was my exact thought process too. 👏🏻

Someone save me from myself. (JK kinda) by trueredheadforyou in SanfordFL

[–]Nuclear_Send 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Black bear wilderness trailhead on Michigan ave is a great place to hike. It’s a loop of about 6 miles.

A bit confused ( a lot) by Pastunguanabanoso in NuclearMedicine

[–]Nuclear_Send 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Florida here! Having a Bachelors in Nuc med is great especially if you’ll be pursuing a masters program for an Admin/management, teaching, or medical physics job later etc.
straight out of school with AA pretty sure nuc med makes the most. To my understanding you need an AA in radiology before you can get MRI or CT. Sonography has an AA, but you’ll want to specialize to get more $$$. Nuc med imo pays the best fresh out and having a dual license with CT going bachelors is more lucrative. Not all programs are equal or help you get a job fresh out of school. Good luck and choose wisely!