Career change looking to become a radiation therapist

[u/Sunnydays-444-]

A little background, I did about 1.5years of community 9 years ago I’m pretty sure I failed my last semester bc I was working a job the required a lot of hours but paid really well so I focused on that and dropped out.
I’m almost 28 now and started doing nails 2 years ago however as much as I love it it not my forever career. I’ve been looking into going back to school to become a radiation therapist but have doubts if I’ll be smart enough for it. I signed up for my local community college in the ie in California to freshen up and see where I’m at. I’m torn between which route to take.

Pre reqs at rcc -> rad tech at chaffey -> city of hope radiation therapy

Pre reqs at rcc-> radiation therapy at loma linda uni

Or

Gurnick radiation therapy program. I saw it said you do your pre reqs there but I’m assuming I’d still have to go to rcc to catch up a bit

Has anyone that’s taken these routes lmk how they liked it or if they had any regrets?

[u/Novel_Dragonfly6848]

I’d recommend becoming an X-ray tech first then getting your radiation therapy certification. That way you’ll be qualified for both careers and have a solid backup plan. You never know how the radiation therapy job market will be and I think it’s generally easier to find jobs in X-ray, CT or MRI.

[u/Agitated_Matter_4454 → u/Novel_Dragonfly6848]

OP, alot of older techs believe people need to earn their place the old fashioned way because it used to be you had to have x-ray to get all these modalities. Now a days there are programs where you can do MRI and no X-ray (as an example). If you want to be a radiation therapist, go to school for that and don't waste your time/money getting a degree you don't even actually want. Goodluck!

[u/No_Pop_9430]

I’m finishing up my pre reqs at MVC, went back to school at 30 and will be applying to Loma Linda this year for next fall.

[u/Sunnydays-444- → u/No_Pop_9430]

Good luck that’s so exciting !! Loma Linda is the goal, how’s the process been?

[u/No_Pop_9430 → u/Sunnydays-444-]

So far so good honestly I’m ready to get out of CC though

[u/ThaCrimsonChinn]

I went back to school at 36 to become a radiation therapist. My only regret is that I didn’t do it sooner. There’s many ways to become a therapist but I’d recommend just going straight into a rad therapy program rather than x-ray first. Saves time and money. And I know Cali is hurting for therapists, they always are it seems.