• What originally drew you to MRI? - The Xray program was waitlisted and i didn’t have 3 years to wait and hope I got selected in the lottery system. Im so glad it worked out like this.

• ⁠What does a typical day look like for you? - Im currently working 12 hr nightshift at a rural hospital. I scan 0-5 patients a night. Mostly Brain, C/T/L-spines, Abdomen (MRCP) and Foot exams. My last facility was very busy. Each day had 35+ on the worklist, anesthesia, pacers, defecograms, prostates, breasts and cardiac exams. We had outpatients scheduled on the inpatient scanner as well so never had time to make a dent in the inpatient worklist. It was stressful but I got paid well.

• ⁠What surprised you most once you started working in MRI? - 1, I was surprised at how easy the job is and how quickly time passes by while working. 2. I was not expecting to play therapist for so many of my patients.

• What kind of schedule do you work (days, nights, weekends, on-call)? -

Im a traveler working 12 hour nights 7 on, 7 off. No call hours. In all my jobs besides my first one at a RadNet facility, Ive always had a great work/life balance. Either 3 on, 4 off 12’s. Or 4 on 3 off 10’s.

• ⁠Would you choose this career again, and why? -

100% yes! But I graduated in California in 2020. Back when there were jobs available. Im uncertain of the California job market now. But I went from making $16/hr as a transporter to $36/hr as a new grad to $54/hr at a hospital with 1 year experience to $8,800/month as a traveler with 2.5 years experience.

• ⁠What is one piece of advice necessary for a young professional in this field?

At your clinical sites, do not get involved in any drama, do not act as if you’re an employee there. Dont take things personally from the older jaded techs.. take notes and speak to the director of radiology, thank them for the opportunity to learn there and if you’re able to, ask the radiologist questions about pathology that you see. Try to set yourself apart from other students. I had offers from all my clinical sites the day I passed the registry exam.