From 9 to 5 to PRN: A Radiologic Tech's Bold Career Leap

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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Mentioned in this episode:

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Episode Transcript

(00:28):
Welcome to A Couple of RadTech's podcast where we bring you
an inside look at the world ofradiology from the unique perspective
of a married couple ofradiologic technologists.
Together, we have over 30years of experience in the field
and are here to demystify thescience of medical imaging.
Radiology is the unsung heroof the medical field, providing doctors
with crucial images andinformation that help diagnose and

(00:51):
treat illnesses.
Join us as we explore thelatest techniques, technologies and
innovations in radiology anddiscover the vital role we play in
the healthcare industry.
So come along for the ride aswe share our passion for radiology
as a married couple.
How I quit my 9 to 5radiologic technology job and I honestly
haven't looked back.

(01:12):
I'm just sitting herereminiscing over when I became a
radiologic technologist andwhen I decided to leave my full time
job, I had a really, reallygood job working with a really great
coworker close to home.
It was ideal.
So if you are a radiologictechnology student out there, someone
that's been in the field andyou're thinking about you want to

(01:33):
have some change in your life,you want to make a change in your
career.
I had to make this decisionand a lot of people were concerned,
especially my husband becauseit was his turn to go back to school
for radiology.
We had made this plan when wefirst got married.
I would finish because I wasalready in my second year of radiology
school school when we gotmarried and then he was going to

(01:55):
work a little more and then hewas going to go back to school.
Well, I had this grand planthat I really should focus in on
making the most amount ofmoney in the field of radiology as
I could.
And for me, working full time9 to 5 at that time I didn't feel
like I was making the topdollar getting the top pay that I

(02:18):
feel like I could have got.
And I felt like my experiencewasn't going to grow if I would have
stayed nine to five hours comfortable.
So what did I do?

(03:37):
I decided to look for PRN jobsand I had had PRN jobs before, but
this time I said I'm going tolook for PRN jobs at other facilities
that are outside of thehospital facility and company that
I'm presently working forsomewhere totally different where
I don't know anybody.
I'm out of my comfort zone.
Of course the pay is higherwhen you go prn, but the the flip

(04:00):
side of that is is you do nothave guaranteed hours.
And my coworkers were like,girl, what's wrong with you?
Are you sure you want to do this?
What does your husband think?
He's going back to school.
How are you?
We had a house, we had twocars, I had a car note like you know,
before she, we didn't have alot of bills.
But we still, we like totravel, we, you know, we like to

(04:23):
shop, we would like to go outto eat.
All of those things thatnormal human beings like to do that
cost money.
And here I am saying no more.
9 to 5 I'm going to go PRN asa radiology technologist.
Actually I did CT scans atthat time I wasn't doing X ray anymore.
I had decided to just fulltime look for jobs that did CT scanning

(04:45):
only as a CT technologist andthat's what I did.
So any PRN jobs that I gotafter that were all Connecticut technology
jobs only which I knew wouldget me more pay but the hours were
second shift, third shiftweekends, you know, I mean that's
what I got when I left my fulltime day shift job in a cancer center

(05:08):
around really solid group ofpeople that I really enjoy working
with close to home.
Now I had to travel todifferent hospitals, sometimes not
close to home and work there.
So 22 years later, do I regret it?
No, I do not.
I believe that the foundationthat I got at my 9 to 5 opportunity

(05:32):
gave me the structure and theconfidence that I needed because
I worked with such a solidgroup of people in my full time job
that it gave me the confidenceto then go out and be full time prn.
So yeah, do what's best foryou is the basis of this video.
Don't be afraid to jump outthere when something may make you

(05:54):
uncomfortable when it comes tochanging careers.
And if you work in a field ofradiology, just know that what may
be abnormal for someone elseor not a good fit for someone else,
what's the harm it can do toyou to just try it?
PRN is an option that we have.
Travel is an option that we have.
Contract work is an option.
Per diem, working full time,working part time, working casual.

(06:17):
Those are all options that you have.
Try it, you never know, youmight like it.
If you like these videos, ifyou want to learn more, you can check
out my podcast, a couple ofrad tech's podcast.
It is a fantastic avenue forfuture radiologic and medical imaging
professionals as well as thosejust thinking about the profession
and want to know more.

(06:38):
Hope you enjoy.
Be sure to subscribe and untilnext time check out one of these
other videos.
And that's a wrap for thisepisode of A Couple of Rad Tech's
Podcast.
Guys, we hope you enjoyed ourdiscussion of the fascinating world
of radiology and learnedsomething new about the role we play
in the healthcare industry.
If you have any questions ortopics that you love for us to cover,
feel free to reach out and letus know what they are.

(06:58):
And you guys, please, if youenjoyed this podcast or any of the
other episodes, we want tohear what you thought.
Leave us a review.

(08:06):
Mama's got to Pay Our bills.
It helps.
And until next time, staytuned for more insightful and informative
episodes of A Couple of RadTech's Podcast.