How do you know when it’s time to make a change in your radiology career? This episode dives into the journey of leaving a stable 9 to 5 job for the more unpredictable world of PRN work. Speaker B shares her personal experience of transitioning from a full-time position to PRN roles, highlighting the challenges and rewards of stepping outside her comfort zone. With over 22 years of hindsight, she emphasizes that the foundation built during her previous job was crucial for her confidence in taking this leap. Join us as we explore the options available in the radiology field and encourage you to consider what might be best for your own career path.
Radiology often operates in the shadows, yet it plays a pivotal role in the healthcare landscape. This podcast episode takes listeners on a journey through the personal and professional experiences of a married couple of radiologic technologists. With over 30 years of combined expertise, they unravel the complexities of radiology, emphasizing its significance in diagnosing and treating medical conditions. The discussion begins with an overview of the couple’s commitment to educating others about the field, showcasing their passion for medical imaging. As the episode progresses, one speaker shares her transformative journey of leaving a stable 9 to 5 job to embrace the uncertainties of PRN (as-needed) work. Her candid reflections on the challenges and rewards of this decision serve as an inspiring narrative for radiology students and professionals contemplating a career shift. The episode culminates in a motivational call to action, encouraging listeners to explore diverse career paths within radiology and reminding them that stepping out of one’s comfort zone can lead to unexpected and fulfilling opportunities.
Takeaways:
- Radiology plays a crucial role in diagnosing and treating illnesses, often going unnoticed.
- Transitioning from a stable 9 to 5 job to PRN work can be rewarding, despite uncertainties.
- Don’t be afraid to explore different job opportunities in radiology; you might find your niche.
- A solid foundation from your initial job can boost your confidence in career changes.
- PRN jobs offer flexibility and higher pay, but come with a lack of guaranteed hours.
- Challenging yourself outside of your comfort zone can lead to significant professional growth.
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Transcript
Welcome to A Couple of Rad Tech's podcast where we bring you an inside look at the world of radiology from the unique perspective of a married couple of radiologic technologists.
Speaker A:Together, we have over 30 years of experience in the field and are here to demystify the science of medical imaging.
Speaker A:Radiology is the unsung hero of the medical field, providing doctors with crucial images and information that help diagnose and treat illnesses.
Speaker A:Join us as we explore the latest techniques, technologies and innovations in radiology and discover the vital role we play in the healthcare industry.
Speaker A:So come along for the ride as we share our passion for radiology as a married couple.
Speaker B:How I quit my 9 to 5 radiologic technology job and I honestly haven't looked back.
Speaker B:I'm just sitting here reminiscing over when I became a radiologic technologist and when I decided to leave my full time job, I had a really, really good job working with a really great coworker close to home.
Speaker B:It was ideal.
Speaker B:So if you are a radiologic technology student out there, someone that's been in the field and you're thinking about you want to have some change in your life, you want to make a change in your career.
Speaker B:I had to make this decision and a lot of people were concerned, especially my husband because it was his turn to go back to school for radiology.
Speaker B:We had made this plan when we first got married.
Speaker B:I would finish because I was already in my second year of radiology school school when we got married and then he was going to work a little more and then he was going to go back to school.
Speaker B:Well, I had this grand plan that I really should focus in on making the most amount of money in the field of radiology as I could.
Speaker B:And for me, working full time 9 to 5 at that time I didn't feel like I was making the top dollar getting the top pay that I feel like I could have got.
Speaker B:And I felt like my experience wasn't going to grow if I would have stayed nine to five hours comfortable.
Speaker B:So what did I do?
Speaker B:I decided to look for PRN jobs and I had had PRN jobs before, but this time I said I'm going to look for PRN jobs at other facilities that are outside of the hospital facility and company that I'm presently working for somewhere totally different where I don't know anybody.
Speaker B:I'm out of my comfort zone.
Speaker B:Of course the pay is higher when you go prn, but the the flip side of that is is you do not have guaranteed hours.
Speaker B:And my coworkers were like, girl, what's wrong with you?
Speaker B:Are you sure you want to do this?
Speaker B:What does your husband think?
Speaker B:He's going back to school.
Speaker B:How are you?
Speaker B:We had a house, we had two cars, I had a car note like you know, before she, we didn't have a lot of bills.
Speaker B:But we still, we like to travel, we, you know, we like to shop, we would like to go out to eat.
Speaker B:All of those things that normal human beings like to do that cost money.
Speaker B:And here I am saying no more.
Speaker B:9 to 5 I'm going to go PRN as a radiology technologist.
Speaker B:Actually I did CT scans at that time I wasn't doing X ray anymore.
Speaker B:I had decided to just full time look for jobs that did CT scanning only as a CT technologist and that's what I did.
Speaker B:So any PRN jobs that I got after that were all Connecticut technology jobs only which I knew would get me more pay but the hours were second shift, third shift weekends, you know, I mean that's what I got when I left my full time day shift job in a cancer center around really solid group of people that I really enjoy working with close to home.
Speaker B:Now I had to travel to different hospitals, sometimes not close to home and work there.
Speaker B:So 22 years later, do I regret it?
Speaker B:No, I do not.
Speaker B:I believe that the foundation that I got at my 9 to 5 opportunity gave me the structure and the confidence that I needed because I worked with such a solid group of people in my full time job that it gave me the confidence to then go out and be full time prn.
Speaker B:So yeah, do what's best for you is the basis of this video.
Speaker B:Don't be afraid to jump out there when something may make you uncomfortable when it comes to changing careers.
Speaker B:And if you work in a field of radiology, just know that what may be abnormal for someone else or not a good fit for someone else, what's the harm it can do to you to just try it?
Speaker B:PRN is an option that we have.
Speaker B:Travel is an option that we have.
Speaker B:Contract work is an option.
Speaker B:Per diem, working full time, working part time, working casual.
Speaker B:Those are all options that you have.
Speaker B:Try it, you never know, you might like it.
Speaker B:If you like these videos, if you want to learn more, you can check out my podcast, a couple of rad tech's podcast.
Speaker B:It is a fantastic avenue for future radiologic and medical imaging professionals as well as those just thinking about the profession and want to know more.
Speaker B:Hope you enjoy.
Speaker B:Be sure to subscribe and until next time check out one of these other videos.
Speaker A:And that's a wrap for this episode of A Couple of Rad Tech's Podcast.
Speaker A:Guys, we hope you enjoyed our discussion of the fascinating world of radiology and learned something new about the role we play in the healthcare industry.
Speaker A:If you have any questions or topics that you love for us to cover, feel free to reach out and let us know what they are.
Speaker A:And you guys, please, if you enjoyed this podcast or any of the other episodes, we want to hear what you thought.
Speaker A:Leave us a review.
Speaker A:Mama's got to Pay Our bills.
Speaker A:It helps.
Speaker A:And until next time, stay tuned for more insightful and informative episodes of A Couple of Rad Tech's Podcast.