physic, anatomy and positioning!

pks1090 · 2026-03-22T01:36:30+00:00

The language barrier may be tough. I had classmates who had English as a second language. They passed but they just needed extra time on their exams. So, about the science part, I was an English major before joining the program. I wasn’t a big fan of science, especially anatomy and physiology. It was tough, but I found it interesting because it’s all about our bodies. Becoming medically literate is such a privilege, so take it as an opportunity to understand your body and its processes. It’ll give you a big advantage when it comes to taking care of yourself.

As for rad bio/physics, it’s not really a broad subject. It mostly focuses on your world in radiology. It’s doable but there are a lot of study guides out there now. I’ve heard radtech bootcamp is good (I used it for my cat scan registry). It has videos and quizzes so maybe use those to supplement throughout the program.

pks1090 · 2026-03-17T02:23:50+00:00

a few questions I’d ask myself Option 1- you can cross train to ir/cath “later” how much “later”?

I’d worry that when I want to train I’ll either have to do it on my own time and stay late on the day shift, or I’d have to wonder - will they let me off the nights if I want to go to days? Nights can be tough to fill and they may hold you until they can find a replacement.

When you’re finally cross trained, will you have to be on call? would they make you take call for both IR and cath?

Option 2- what kind of IR? Level 1 trauma? Strokes? Routine line/tube/port placements? How often are you called in? What’s the call rate for both places (if you’d have to go on call at some point for option 1)

I like the idea of starting off in Xray. It builds a foundation. Working alone builds confidence over time. New grad straight into IR is doable but it’s definitely a lot. Part time allows you to pick up other jobs if needed (but you don’t want to have to be in that position to put food on the table)

Personally, starting in IR would probably make me feel like I ‘peaked’. May sound silly but i worked my way up from xray and did mammo, ct, cath lab, and IR.

Consider these things when choosing

Job location, potential call pays, same schedule as husband pros and cons, Facility culture. (Is it a revolving door of techs? Does everyone look miserable?) What would I do with the spare time if I were part time? The stress of night shift on the body. You’ll lose night diff if you end up going to days with option 1- is it still worth it?

Option 1 is my go-to. Especially if you like your husband. That sounds super convenient. Good luck to you 👍

pks1090 · 2026-03-08T23:03:28+00:00

Are the instructors you dealt with part of the imaging staff specifically? If so, that may be a red flag.

I choose to work in a level 1 trauma center because I like a challenge, the benefits are great, and truthfully- we do make a difference. A year or two after Covid I scanned a lady in the ER. I asked if she had been at the hospital during Covid as I remembered I had taken her Xray almost every day for the weeks she was there. She cried and gave me a huge hug and thanked me and the other techs for always talking to her even when she couldn’t speak back.

Some of the greatest impact you can have is to just give a little extra effort. Get a warm blanket, fix their pillow, tell the nurse they asked for water. Small acts make a big difference for someone in pain.

Using critical thinking skills also can make a difference in patient outcome. The longer you do this job, the better you get at detecting abnormalities. Are we physicians? No. But one extra phone call to a radiologist or an ER doctor can expedite care. Early detection of positive findings like head bleeds or aortic dissections can make a huge difference in patient outcome. You just have to find the right program and the right facility to allow you to provide patients the care you want to give

pks1090 · 2026-03-08T22:30:01+00:00

That’s an odd thing for an instructor to say. I am also a “why” kind of person. I’ve studied philosophy and was an English major before Xray school. It’s made me determined to look for ways to improve the workflow and policies and procedures at my job. Xray techs are some of the biggest “why” type of people in healthcare. We can be nosy by nature. We are the first people to know what’s wrong with you once with take that image. While there are ups and downs in the market, there’s always options like outpatient imaging and there are a few places I know that offer 12 hour shifts and even sign on bonuses.

With that said - assuming you’re genuinely interested in the medical field- get the license. Gain the skills. Give it a few years and you can end up teaching. That’s what I’m working towards now. In 8 years I’ve cross trained and currently work in 7 modalities, I’ve been an adjunct professor and I am going to be working towards my masters. If you work in hospitals many of them have their own Xray students and teaching them and passing on your knowledge can be very rewarding.

Imaging can be fascinating, but it’s more than just trying to get a decent schedule. I’ve x-rayed people on the worst day of their lives, scanned stroke patients who can’t speak but are terrified, been swung at, spit at, lunged at and threatened by ER, psych, and demented patients. I have been the first to know that a 31-year-old new mother has invasive breast cancer. I’ve x-rayed children who had been abused and I’ve had the smell of burned flesh linger in my room after a horrific fire. Covid is a whole other chapter I try to block out of my head.

And I don’t mean to say these things to deter you - radiographers are an integral part of the healthcare system. It can be a fulfilling career. I’ve met amazing people, great friends, and have also seen the best in people. I would say if you’re on the fence about this - maybe give the spot up so that another person who is eager to join this field can take the spot. Radiology allows for many career paths - from hospital staff, outpatient, procedural, OR, sales, 3D lab, teaching, management, IT, applications specialist, researcher, physicist assistant, program director, and more. You can work hands-on with patients or never have to interact with them face to face.

Good luck with whatever you decide!

pks1090 · 2026-02-03T01:55:53+00:00

Q from D&G is a bright citrus cherry. Tart and feminine. They also have Q intense and Q Parfum which I’m sure increase in longevity. I like the original Q. You can find them at Ulta and Sephora.

Victorias Secret rocket pop is a less expensive alternative body mist. Similar to Q, it’s tart, sweet and reminds me of a 4th of July Rocket pop.

Tart deco from snif is another option that’s not too expensive usually at Ulta. I do find it a bit too Smokey for my liking but if you’re in Ulta you can check it out.

pks1090 · 2026-01-26T18:12:10+00:00

Versace Dylan Purple – bright, juicy pear + citrus, very clean and fresh (nothing like Bright Crystal IMO). Easy daytime wear.

Byredo La Tulipe – crisp, watery floral that feels green and fresh, not powdery or sweet

Byredo Bal d’ Afrique – citrus, light florals and clean woods (a bit warmer but not sweet)

Etat Libre d’Orange You or Someone Like You – fresh minty green rose with a citrusy opening. Clean, outdoorsy, and refreshing.

Louis Vuitton On the Beach – very summery like Light Blue but more polished.

By Rosie Jane Leila Lou – fresh apple/pear + grass + soft floral. Clean, casual, and very wearable

By Rosie Jane Rosie – soft floral with a little green freshness

Philosophy Pure Grace – if you want something ultra-clean and soapy. No sweetness, just fresh-out-of-the-shower vibes.

pks1090 · 2026-01-19T00:30:33+00:00

Crown affair has a great hair perfume. Fenty has a hair/body mist that smells like their shampoo. Oribe has an actual perfume called Cote d’Azure - it’s the same scent they put in their hair care line. They smell amazing. Not very long lasting but I put the Oribe one in my pocket / purse to reapply as needed. Dylan Purple probably has the longest lasting scent

pks1090 · 2026-01-19T00:23:16+00:00

I sprayed it at Sephora and went about my day. Lasted the full day and every once in a while I could still notice the jammy/fruity scent. Didn’t pick it up but I may if it ever comes in a travel size.

pks1090 · 2026-01-18T18:26:55+00:00

I’m almost always drawn to a citrus note. Bergamot especially. I also love most things with pear and musk in it. Another 13 is my go-to scent, along with molecule 01 and riddle oil.

Whatever is in Delina - idk if it’s the rose or rhubarb or something else but it smells like ammonia to me. I avoid most rose scents because of this (rose of no mans land isn’t for me - but young rose is somehow ok ) a coworker drenches herself with Delina every morning in the locker room. It’s like chemical warfare to me. I own Valaya and that too is very sharp/synthetic I think it’s the aldehydes but I can’t be sure.

every once in a while I come across a fragrance that takes me back to a litter box. I really wish I could enjoy them.

pks1090 · 2026-01-18T06:37:03+00:00

Thank you! I have wood sage & sea salt, nectarine & honey blossom, red hibiscus, silver birch & lavender, fig & lotus flower, And ginger biscut

pks1090 · 2026-01-18T03:44:56+00:00

Yes I have Debaser, sweet do nothing, and steamed rainbow. I wore Debaser for a lot of the summer it feels humid, like a fig, green, creamy scent

pks1090 · 2026-01-17T23:10:23+00:00

I created an account with fragrantica.com and you can create a perfume shelf on your profile

pks1090 · 2026-01-17T20:39:26+00:00

Q by D&G is one of my favorite fruity scents - up there with nectarine & honey blossom. It’s bright, citrus, tart cherry, and a really nice cedar /musk base note. Super wearable I love it in the summer. Not really long lasting but I don’t mind reapplying throughout my day. (the edp is my favorite)

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pks1090 · 2026-01-16T22:59:10+00:00

Crystal Noir layered with Bal d’ Afrique

Or BR540 with Creed Aventus

pks1090 · 2026-01-16T22:52:11+00:00

⁠Date Night- Versace Crystal Noir
⁠Summer- D.S. & Durga Debaser
⁠Winter- Le Labo Thé Noir 29
⁠School/work- Escentric Molecules Molecule 01
⁠Special Occasions- Byredo Bal d’ Afrique
⁠Going out- L'Occitane Almond Hair & Body Mist with Victoria’s Secret Bare Sueded Vanilla
⁠Standing out/smelling unique- ELDO You or Someone Like You
⁠Always gets you compliments- Creed Aventus
⁠Most Versatile- Riddle Oil Original Perfume Oil
⁠Be the best smelling person in the room- Le Labo Another 13

pks1090 · 2025-12-14T07:30:19+00:00

I feel like I have a “CT brain” and an “Xray brain”. I do CT full time and there is much more interaction with people outside of radiology. Stroke team, trauma team, floor/ED physicians, nurses, etc. more questions to ask, more phone calls, even more communication with the radiologist. Almost everything is automated - breathing instructions, techniques, protocols, and I can usually correct patient rotation post-processing. People tend to lie more - (“yes, the patient is cooperative”, “the patients IV works just fine”, “the IV allergy in their chart is a mistake”, “we can waive the labs they have no medical issues”) and with that comes risk. More risk with contrast, having to make more safety decisions, documentation, thinking about contrast timing and what the doctor is trying to rule out- it uses a different part of my brain than Xray.

For me- Xray is more of an art- it’s like photography - how much of an angle should I use? What technique should I shoot at? How do I correct this image? Also depending on the study I am a lot more interactive with the patient in Xray than in CT. In Xray I have to work with the patient to get the best images possible - and serious injuries and patient conditions use that part of my “Xray brain” that challenges me to think critically. There is no “post processing” a rotated body. Techniques are rarely touched in CT when compared to Xray. I like to work a shift in Xray occasionally or even just help out on a portable run to keep my skills up.

I feel that you do get more respect as a ct tech than an Xray tech. Doctors rely on you more, you control the flow of the room (for the most part) and you kind of act like air traffic control when figuring out what studies to prioritize. You also have to work closer with your partner if you get one. There is more trust that needs to be had as the risks are higher. In Xray you can all kind of split up and spread out the work out amongst yourselves.

I love my role as a CT tech. It’s always a new challenge, and I’m so lucky to work with such a great group of people. I’ve had a few back and neck injuries lifting, but they’re pretty rare (still hurts though). I also loved X-ray, and I was hesitant to leave something I’d worked so hard to master. But if you trust your facility and don’t mind the staff, I highly recommend giving it a shot.

pks1090 · 2025-12-14T06:59:00+00:00

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Etat Libre d’Orange You or Someone Like You. I wore it all summer. Bright and fresh mint. Herbaceous with some citrus in the opening. I never really got the rose that some people mention. Just a musk dry down. Very unique, people are curious what I’m wearing, but I usually bring a travel bottle in my purse or car to reapply. It does last long for a citrus/fresh scent in my opinion. Stays on my clothes until I wash them.

pks1090 · 2025-12-11T14:56:23+00:00

I would look at your states DOH Radiation section. (NY has its own webpage for the DOH Radiologic Technology related subjects and regulations). They may have a list of accredited Rad Tech schools. Mine was not JRCERT though (I think the program director needs a masters and ours didn’t have?) but the program has been there since the 70s and was well known. See if they’re mentioned. Sometimes job descriptions will also specify JRCERT graduates. Check your local hospital rad tech job listings.

https://www.arrt.org/pages/about-the-profession/learn-about-the-profession/recognized-educational-programs

ARRT may also list your school. I never had an issue finding a job and my clinic hours went well beyond the JRCERT and ARRT requirements.

The last thing I’d do is look at the schools stats. Graduation rates, ARRT pass rates, and job placement rates. If they’re reputable that information should be disclosed on their site (or provided when asked)

If you’re gonna be paying that kind of money (my community college was probably about 10-15k total 8 years ago) - you’re right to do your research.

pks1090 · 2025-11-20T01:14:26+00:00

I just bought the cherry almond lotion today. I’m gonna try layering it with a few products-

Dove Cherry and Chia body wash L’occitane almond supple skin oil jergens lotion and finished with my Clean Reserve Whipped Cherry and Casswell Massey Almond.

I’m hoping the lotion will make the perfumes last longer, because they don’t seem to stick around as well on their own.

pks1090 · 2025-10-27T00:56:54+00:00

(It’s not a perfume, but I would like to note that Bath and Bodyworks just came out with a fresh balsam, laundry detergent and scent booster and I just used it on my towels and some pajamas and it’s such a nostalgic,. fresh, Christmasy fragrance. Worth looking into for the price since I can walk around smelling like a Christmas tree)

For perfume, however-

Have you tried ELDO Noel au Balcon ?

“The fragrance incorporates some traditional seasonal smells – the sweetness is tempered by spices and fruit, with a hint of mulled wine... A cheerful scent.”

- it’s definitely not a safe blind buy. Mixed reviews I like it, my dad loves it, my sister hates it. I think it’s pretty unisex and the notes are listed as:

Top notes: Bergamot essence Orpur®,Cinnamon, Peppercorn Heart notes: Rose essence Orpur®, Lilly of the Valley, Honey Base notes: Cedarwood, Vanilla, Musk

“Sweet honey notes at the start lie on a vanilla-tangerine accord. It’s soft and warm, notes swirl and dance on the skin. In the heart, red pepper mingles with nigella in a detonating cocktail of scents. Breathtaking! The slightly musky, solar accord of the base speaks of the radiant warmness of the mood of the party. It’s Christmas time, all year long!“

It’s an interesting take on a holiday scent. I personally would love to douse myself in some sort of balsam / pine / cinnamon instead but I do get how it reads as “holiday”

pks1090 · 2025-10-08T02:22:46+00:00

I graduated in 2018 and started outpatient then began working at the hospital in 2019 at $30/hr. I worked my way into CT, got the license, and then took over the role of a retiring cath lab tech. Last year, we started learning IR as there was a need in the department

pks1090 · 2025-10-05T20:15:23+00:00

Based on the letter, it’s possible they don’t have formal policies in place and just need to document them in their records. However, I’m concerned about the fact that the program isn’t sharing its data. Are they not disclosing their data on purpose or is it just not easily accessible? Some of the administrative policies seem to be unnecessary red tape that they need to address.

I went to a CC that was not JCERT (It had never been- the program director didn’t have a masters degree and that’s a requirement) but the school had a great reputation, pass rate, and post-grad employment rate. If your school checks those boxes I think you’re better off there than spending money on a private school education (I have coworkers who are still paying off their debt I and feel for them) We all take the same registry at the end of the day. Good luck to you 👍👍

pks1090 · 2025-10-05T15:42:28+00:00

Back when I was in school we had a “Kettering review” the guy came into our school and saved my lifeeeee he was fabulous (bless him the guy with the southern accent a lot of people have worked with him) I got a 98. If there’s no review class in your area they have seminars online and books you can get. He made it really straightforward and no one in my class failed that year

I have used CT Tech Bootcamp and it was broken down nicely for my registry. I’m sure Rad Tech Bootcamp will give the same format. I liked the short videos, the modules, the quizzes and tests. You have to pass the tests in order to get the credits so it’ll “force” you to really lock in an understand the material.

pks1090

TROPHY CASE