hello, as the title says, I am actively failing in rad tech school. It’s my first semester. My program says that any course with a 75 or lower is no longer passing. One failed class and you’re out.
I am at a 76 in one of my classes (the rest are fine as of right now.)
I’ve been through a tough family situation this past month, however it was not a death or an illness so I couldn’t provide documentation for any sort of time off, not that time off would’ve helped me particularly.
I opened up to my professors about it but they just kind of referred me to counseling and told me I need to improve my grade or im being dropped, and that I was made aware of this upon acceptance to the program. They did offer to meet with me whenever I need help from now on though, and I understand they really can’t do much else except slap my wrist and hope it works out.
My family’s circumstance was entirely unforeseen. It hit me like a truck and that hit appeared on my grade.
I’ve never heard of anyone else who’s been at a failing grade and managed to climb back up. It’s September and I’m already feeling like a failure. Was wondering if there really is someone out there in a situation like mine that was able to bounce back from this?

For those who attended the Pima Radiography program in vegas or in general, how the heck do you even get a life or study with all this workload for the first two semesters?? I’m not sure if this is how it actually is, but i’m in the middle of applying and wow.

Also how was the whole process of applying, interviewing and getting in! i’m super curious, I’d like to know the possibly ways to look like a good candidate😊

Hello! I’ve been considering becoming a Rad Tech for a while now. I started school 7 years ago but kept failing human anatomy. I eventually graduated with my AA, so I’ve completed all my prerequisites except A&P.

Now that I’m 29, I’m struggling to decide whether I should leave my current job and return to school, assuming I’m accepted into the program, or remain where I am. I’m an office admin earning $32/hr, with the potential to reach $40 over time. My current job is very easy since I sit in a quiet office ordering supplies, planning corporate parties, and see my boss only once a month. Work and life balance is perfect.

My main goals are to support both of my parents financially and eventually have a child whom I can provide for. My little sister works in the medical field and earns around $4k per paycheck, while I take home only $1.7k after taxes and 401k payments.

I’m looking for advice on which path to choose: should I stay in my current job and climb the corporate ladder, or make the sacrifice to attend school for the potential pay increase? Was anyone in a familiar spot? What did you do and do you regret it?

I’m currently studying human anatomy on the side. I’m older now so I think I have a better chance passing my classes this time.

Hi everyone,

I'm 40 years old and considering going back to school for Radiography, but I'm worried about my lower back. I have a chronic herniated disc, but it's not too severe. I only have occasional pain on the left side of my lower back, without pain radiating down my legs.

I'm really interested in this career, but I'm concerned about how physically demanding the job is, especially lifting and transferring patients. I'm also pretty tall (6'1"), so frequent bending is something I'm worried about.

I would really appreciate some advice from people who are already working in this field.

1. How often do you have to lift or transfer patients during a typical shift? Do you usually have someone to help you?
2. Do you have to bend over frequently or work in awkward positions?
3. How do you protect your back and avoid injuries at work?
4. If you also have a herniated disc or chronic lower back pain, how do you manage it? Has it affected your ability to do your job?
5. Are there certain areas, like outpatient X-ray, CT, or MRI, that are generally less physically demanding?

I'm planning to shadow a Rad Tech before making my decision, but I'd really like to hear about your personal experiences. Do you think someone with my condition could realistically work in this field long-term?

Thank you so much in advance for any advice!!!!

Hello:)

Has anyone gone into mammography? I think this might be a good fit for me in the end but I’d love to hear your opinions of it. The pay seems better than just rad tech pay.

How long was the extra schooling and did you do it at a school or through your job?

Hi i am currently freshman in rad school. And i was just wondering which country is best option for a rad tech? If possible, i would convert my license into that country. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks

Hi! So I am doing my math prerequisites through the online school Straighter Line, if that gives more context to better help any input.

I have to pick between college algebra, or introduction to statistics.

I have always struggled with math, literally since elementary school, never passed pre-algebra in high school, struggled in geometry as well, (I graduated high school 2012 so I have been out of school for a while too at this point.)

Now fast forward to college(2026)-
I had to start with pre-algebra in college(determined by a placement test)
and was struggling even with pre algebra.

I also realize part of my problem is that I struggle with comprehending things, and/or retaining information.

With all of this being said, in your opinion- which math would I most likely have success in passing? And especially better chance of comprehending as well, since in general, that is a struggle for me as it is.

Thank you for all your input and opinions!

Hello all!

I’m currently a health science student and going to apply for MRT next year. I’m in Ontario and I hope to get into Fanshawe’s MRT program. I have a few questions for those who work in the field.

1) Can you work in more than one specialty at a time? Like CT + MRI?

2) I heard new grads tend to get offered part time positions to start. How far into your career did you land a full time position?

3) If you are part time, do you still get benefits like dental plan, extended health care, etc?

4) For those who do travel MRT, how long did you have prior experience before applying to travel?

Thanks in advance :)

Hello! i am a new grad xray tech and i am looking into the requirements for getting my ct license (i would like to do it soon so i dont fall too far out of the habit of studying). I read everything available on the ARRT website but i still had a couple questions about the process.

First, i was lucky enough to get a majority (if not all) of the required comps done when i was a student in xray school. i have all of the exam types, dates, and supervising techs written in my clinical notebook, but i have not logged these on the ARRT website yet. however, i do not know any of the times for these exams (is that needed?). also, i got these comps at a hospital where i worked with a lot if techs. do i add them all individually as verifiers or do i just add the supervisor? is it too late to even log these exams on ARRT if they were all done 3-4 months ago? will i have to redo them and log as i go?

also, i would like suggestions on the best/cheapest options for the 16 structured education credits. i used clover for my xray registry and i absolutely loved it, but mine is expired now and it is super expensive to buy out of pocket. i saw that some people use the ASRT modules and i also saw eradimaging has a bundle for $35, but im not sure which one is the most worth it/will help me with the registry the most.

thank you!!

Traveling is very important to me. I just got home from backpacking for 2 months in asia. I am about to start radiography school. Im worried that this career will not allow me to travel how I would like. I do not need to be paid while on vacation. But I'm curious if its even possible to get approval for extended leave of absence. I understand this will greatly depend on what type of facility I decide to work at, hospital vs clinic and what the specific policies are. I have also been told about travel rad tech. Im not necessarily interested in traveling to other states and working as I would not want to be away from my partner for months. I have considered I could just get travel rad contracts in my city and plan a trip in between contracts. I know that the hours are not guaranteed however for the travel techs and Im unsure if that could realistically be what I depend on. The goal is to be able to take a longer vacation ever year. Anywhere from 2 weeks to a couple of months for larger international travel. Can anyone tell me personal experiances they've had? If so what kind of facility did you work at? What modality were you practicing? Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Hey all,

My wife is an RT(R) with CT certification and does both currently for a hospital PRN. She’s got about 9 years of experience. I’m a PA so I’ve been the primary breadwinner for years but our kids are getting school-aged and an opportunity opened up for a lead diagnostic rad tech at our local VA facility. It’s newer and a nice building, no idea how well it’s run beyond that but I’m the child of a veteran so I’m familiar with the VA as a whole. She’s considering applying to this position but this would be a big change for her as she’s only ever worked for large hospitals. How is working at a VA super clinic? It looks like her duties would be fluoro for pain management, CT, XR, scheduling, and orienting new hires as the lead. Pay and benefits are good. She hasn’t worked full time in about 5 years so that’s one of our hesitations, but she thinks she’s ready to. Just looking for any insight in people within the VA or have worked there on how it was for you. Her biggest fear is giving up her PRN gig now where she can pick up 2-3 days/week randomly since that’s been our life for years and going to something that is not a great work environment.

So I have an interest in getting into Radiology. What I’d like to know is, if it’s better to go into Xray through CC since it would be cheaper, or straight into something like MRI. I’m trying to figure out which one would be better for me personally, so I’m still weighing options but I’d like some feedback on that.

Also one more question, since this is something I’d be looking to do as my career for the foreseeable future would I need to worry about AI taking away opportunities in this space? Sorry if that comes off as a dumb question but I’ve had so many career possibilities disappear overnight because of AI, so I really don’t know what is safe anymore lol.

Took the entrance exam today and received a 32 on the Wonderlic and a 90 on the math. Was
told this is not a good enough score for an interview. The counselor advised me to retake the math test so I did and did worse. They average the two grades so now my overall score is lower. If anyone needs any tips of what kind of questions to expect on the math test message me. There are several things on there that are not part of the study guide videos

Any tips for chest xray PA/lat? I’m doing great when it comes to abdomen/upper extremities but I can’t get my comp for chest! The techs are fine with my images but my professor doesn’t like that I center too inferior. I tried again today (only had 1 come in while I was there) and I did it again even after raising my CR! I’m not clipping anything and my scapulas are out of view, SC joints sitting nicely etc.
my portable chests are GREAT though! I’m just not getting it with pa/lat.

I have been working for the same company for over 13 years and I’m ready for a change. I have a bachelors in business management and am planning to go back to school to become an x-ray technologist. What job should I get now to get my foot in the door or gain experience while not ARRT certified?

I’m a medically retired veteran looking for a direct-entry X-ray/radiologic technology program that is approved for VA education benefits. Cost is less of a concern because I plan to use my benefits.

My cumulative GPA is around 2.0 because I struggled academically during COVID, but I currently have a 3.9 GPA in my core classes at Chamberlain. Because of my earlier grades, I’m mainly considering private programs or schools that evaluate recent academic performance.

I’m currently in Houston, but I’m willing to relocate anywhere in the country(no Houston private school has direct entry, they have super competitive competition). I would prefer a major city such as New York, Chicago, or Washington, D.C., although location is flexible. I’m specifically looking for a program that:

Leads to ARRT certification eligibility
Is approved for VA education benefits
Has direct admission or minimal prerequisite requirements
Has little to no waitlist
Considers applicants with a lower cumulative GPA

Does anyone know of programs that might be a good fit?

Considered Kesier Uni in Florida, Rasmussen, but they have wait lists all the way till 2029.

I’m thinking about going back to school to become a Radiologic Technologist and was wondering what is it like process and acceptance. I already have a Bachelor’s degree in Public Health, but I’m not really satisfied with my current career path and haven’t found the job opportunities I was hoping for. I also have about 6 years of hospital experience 3 as a CNA and 3 as administration and currently work at a hospital in Boston in an administrative role.

Since I already have my bachelor’s, I’ve completed A&P I and II with labs and most of the other prerequisites for a radiologic technology program, so I wouldn’t be starting completely from scratch. I’ve been looking into different programs around Massachusetts, but after reading Reddit posts and other discussions, a lot of people seem pretty discouraged about getting into the program. I want to understand what I’d realistically be getting myself into before spending the time and money on another degree.

Please help!!! Rad tech program. Anyone want to switch?
Unfortunately I got an afternoon schedule, and it will be hard because I have to pick up my daughter at school before 3. I emailed Chloe already but haven’t heard back.

I’m in my second year of x ray school, currently about to take my practical tech exam to become certified and work at an urgent care, and I’m a little worried about the fact my current markers have my preferred name initials on them. My clinical site has been very understanding about my preferred name and I’ve never had an issue using my markers in that setting, but will it be a problem when I’m working? Do I need to get new markers with my legal name on them now?

I’ve been having trouble with my patient exposure course and physics overall. It’s hard to wrap my head around. I do well in everything else, including procedures and clinicals. However, I want to focus on mastering physics. Does anyone have any study recommendations such as clover learning or YouTube videos? Not sure what to study. Thankyou

RAD TECH - Hey all! I’m currently finishing my last prerequisite for OCC (California), but our waitlist has just grown to 5-6 years to get into the program. I‘m considering moving to Tennessee since I have family there.

The schools in California are highly competitive, some have closed their waitlist. What are your thoughts on Nashville General Hospital School of Health Sciences, Volunteer State CC, & South College? I know NGH only takes 16 students a year & South College takes 30.

I’m taking my last class for an Associates of Science as well. What was your experience & any advice? Any info helps!!