Has anyone studied Sonography? I need Help Please!!!!?

Question

I WANT TO GO BACK INTO SCHOOL IN MAY AND IM EXTREMELY INTERESTED IN SONOGRAPGY (ULTRA SOUND TECH). IT CATCHES MY ATTN 100% AND FITS MY PERSONALITY.
NOW, I LIVE IN HOMESTEAD (MIAMI) FL AND ALL THE TECH SCHOOLS THAT OFFER THAT PROGRAM ARE ABOUT 35+ MINS UP NORTH.

CLOSER TO WHERE I LIVE ARE SOME SCHOOLS THAT HAVE RADIOLOGY PROGRAMS. WHICH IS SIMILAR TO WHAT I WANT BUT NOT IT.

X RAY TECHS GET PAID A LITTLE MORE THAN ULTRASOUND TECHS BUT MY QUESTION TODAY IS...

MY FIANCE KEEPS TELLING ME TO GO TO SCHOOL FOR THE RADIOLOGY BECAUSE IT'S CLOSER AND @ THE END I'LL GET PAID MORE.

BUT WHAT I REALLY WANT IS SONOGRAPHY.

SO WHAT DO I DO?

FOLLOW THE MONEY OR WHAT I BELIEVE IN?

NOW, A DAYS LIVING IN MIAMI ISN'T EASY EVERYTHINGS GONE UP IN PRICES IT'S PRETTY DAMN EXPENSIVE.
HELL..... EVEN GAS IS KILLING MY *** RIGHT NOW.

I NEED OPINIONS PLZ.


AM I BEING HARDHEADED... WHICH I HAVE A TENDENCY OF BEING...

Answer 1

You are mistaken regarding the average salary. Ultrasound technologists make more money than radiologic technologists (the proper term for a x-ray tech). Second off, it can be hard to get into an u/s program without earning your RT license first..

The American Society of Radiologic Technologists recently did a large salary survey. Sonographers averaged $60,958 in Florida. RTs averaged $50,890. You can view the salary survey here:

http://www.asrt.org/media/pdf/research/wss2007/wss07annualcompensation.pdf

When thinking about entering an ultrasound program, you need not be concerned so much about certificate vs. degree. What is important is that you go to an ACCREDITED program, whether it is college or hospital based. An accredited program allows you to take your registry (licensing) exams upon graduation. Once you get licensed, you will never be asked about your schooling again. An employer does not care what route you take to get licensed, they just want you to have that license.

Don't waste your time or money on a NON-accredited program. Upon completion and graduation from a NON-accredited program, you must work in the field of sonography for a full year prior to taking your licensing examinations. But, you will have a hard time finding an employer to hire you, unless you are licensed.

I would suggest you observe an imaging department to get an idea of what ultrasonographers do daily. There is much more to it than scanning pregnant women. Most people have no idea how much is involved in this career!

You can find a list of accredited schools in your area, by searching "diagnostic medical sonography" and your state at the following site. There are links provided for each program, which will give you additional information:

http://www.caahep.org/Find_An_Accredited_Program.aspx

Broward Community College - Ft Lauderdale, FL
Florida Hospital College of Health Sciences - Orlando, FL
Hillsborough Community College - Tampa, FL
Keiser University-Daytona - Daytona Beach, FL
Keiser University-Fort Lauderdale - Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Miami-Dade College - Miami, FL
Nova Southeastern University - Ft Lauderdale, FL
Palm Beach Community College - Lake Worth, FL
St Vincents Medical Center - Jacksonville, FL
Valencia Community College - Orlando, FL

Many people, myself included, go to school to become a radiologic technologist, before continuing to ultrasound school. In fact, it can be difficult to get into u/s school without the RT license. There are many more choices for schools for x-ray in most states. You can find them here, by searching “radiography“ and your state:

http://www.jrcert.org/cert/Search.jsp

Answer 2

what i do is take notes and definitions etc. that are important to the section we are working on. then i turn those notes and definitions into notecards, i punch a hole in the note card and hold them together with a binder ring and when ever i have a spare minute i pull them out and study them. so far it has helped me as i havent gotten a test grade lower than an 80%. if you do not want to do that or it doesnt help you, then i suggest talking to your advisor/counselor as most schools have a free tutoring service available to enrolled students. best of luck

Answer 3

Look, you do what you want to do. The fiance may not be there forever but your education always will. To find something that you are passionate about and like to do will make it so much easier to go to work everyday.

Answer 4

Miami-Dade has an ultrasound program. Isn't that close enough?

http://www.mdc.edu/medical/AHT/DMS/default.asp

Answer 5

I heard somewhere that sonography Was about abortions and stem cell research. I thought this for like 3 years lol i guess you do learn something new ever day. haha i wasnt too far off though right?

Answer 6

honey if i new what sonography, id be glade to help you out