Ultrasonography

Anne - Thank you! I didn't see the rest of your reply (continue below..) perhaps it got cut off. But thank you for your response. Very helpful! You also had a 3 yr old at the time?! What a coincidence. It's assuring to know you were able to juggle school and a 3 yr old with your studies.

Not sure if I'll see the rest of your reply, but if you don't mind explaining a bit more about all the RDMS tests and how many you have to take... etc. Thanks!

AnNGeeH in Los Angeles, California said: Well, this year it was just on Tuesdays at 5-930p lecture then lab after.

hi anngeeh :)
do you know what was the last alternate GPA that got accepted to the program?
thanks

Hi everyone.. i was wondering if the jobs in the ultrasound field is demanding? I know i wont be able to handle RN i think ultrasound is rather more relaxing and laid back. But i know RN is always demanding because the need of nurses/doctors. Im scared that i wont be able to find work after i graduate. Im not enrolled in school yet i just work a regular minimum wage job it really sucks and i hate it. I want to further my education and earn my associates/license in ultrasonography.

I just want to really know what im getting myself into. it seems like a great career.
I was also wondering, would i be able to get my general ed at OCC and do most of the classes there then transfer to cypress to finish the rest of the classes and try to get in the program from cypresss? Because i hear OCC has a waiting list and i dont want to wait 5 yrs. Well i could go on the waiting list as well as try to get in the program at cypress too. Any advice? I appreciate it :)

By the way im planning to apply/register at OCC around jan/feb.

dee in Los Angeles, California said: Hi everyone.. i was wondering if the jobs in the ultrasound field is demanding? I know i wont be able to handle RN i think ultrasound is rather more relaxing and laid back. But i know RN is always demanding because the need of nurses/doctors. Im scared that i wont be able to find work after i graduate. Im not enrolled in school yet i just work a regular minimum wage job it really sucks and i hate it. I want to further my education and earn my associates/license in ultrasonography.

I just want to really know what im getting myself into. it seems like a great career.
I was also wondering, would i be able to get my general ed at OCC and do most of the classes there then transfer to cypress to finish the rest of the classes and try to get in the program from cypresss? Because i hear OCC has a waiting list and i dont want to wait 5 yrs. Well i could go on the waiting list as well as try to get in the program at cypress too. Any advice? I appreciate it :)

By the way im planning to apply/register at OCC around jan/feb.

In my opinion, I would go the RN way...U/S field is so saturated due to hundreds of unaccredited schools pumping out students like no tomorrow.

AnNGeeH in Los Angeles, California said: One more thing you have to be either accepted in the program or on the waiting list. If not then you will not be able to register!!

hi angeeh i have a question for you, were you able to talk to anyone in the program about their clinical training clinics or hospitals?? im just wondering what the hours would be like during clinicals?
thank you so much in advance

Anne in Los Angeles, California said: Hi there,

Glad to hear that you are interested in Cypress. The program does not look at overall GPA, just the prereqs: A&P, Intro to Radiology/Physics, Med Term, Survey of Disease, etc... I got all A's in the prereqs except for A&P which I had a B. Kinda nervous but I got in my first try. It depends on the class and the students that apply. I had almost 100 student apply for 20 open slots. But I heard the year after, they did not have a good pool of students. You never know. Actually, one of the instructors now was a student in my class. I worked part-time when I was a student (16 hrs/week) but I had a nice office job which was flexable. It was still hard though. Advice: It is hard! But don't give up. You will get it. As an intern, keep your mouth shut (easier for some) and just listen to your adviser. Do the dirty work (ports, etc..) they will notice and appreciate it. The goal is to be hired. Don't cause trouble (it happens more often than not because some people just don't like to be bossed around). It is very challenging and rewarding. Well, I'm still here after 5 years :)! Let me know if you have any other questions...Anne

hi anne, r u still working in the same field?

Still working!

Anne in Cerritos, California said: Still working!

im glad to hear that:), how is the program at cypress? im planning to enroll this feb coming up. I have a part time job and was wondering if the externship has night shift?

Hi guys, I'm glad to see this forum active for sonography questions.

I am from Canada and just relocated back here for a bit. (Dual citizen actually, raised in Canada but the last 10 years in Austin.) Anyway, may go down south for school and then come back up here to see about work in the interior of B.C. or Van.

Does anyone know if it is oversaturated for work in Canada like I am hearing about in the states?

And if I remember correctly, is the Canadian program longer than the states?

I am going to start looking at schools north and south and I'm not sure of the climate for sonography in regards to employment here in Canada.

Thoughts?

I am wondering, as some people always say things are bad in professions and they would say that in any profession, is this not "over the top" or is it really that "bleak" of a job situation in the US with sonography? Having a good attitude doesn't really matter or is it really that bad for employment for this in the US.

Make sense?

Thanks for the reply, I appreciate it. :)

Anne in Los Angeles, California said: I highly suggest that you go to an accredited program. Accredited program has affiliation with the top hospitals in the area so you will definitely get the training you need and the number and variety of cases possible. The accredited school in LA area is Orange coast community college, cypress college and Loma Linda Univ. I really discourage anyone to pay $30K for a private school. The are not accredited, do not guarantee you a site and overall, you will be dissapointed. I went to Cypress college, got great training, was at a top hospital in Los Angeles and was hired even before I graduated.

i would love to know your experience at cypress. how were the classes the externship hours

i need retirement options pleaseeee helppp someone
thanksss:)

Does anyone know the difference from obtaining an associate,certificate,or Bacc degree in DMS? Will you get paid more if you have the higher degree?

I'm interested in becoming an Ultrasound Tech. I live in the los angeles area. I've been reading the messages on this site and its been very informative. I'm also interested in becoming an XRay Tech also. However I'm 35 with 2 boys and need a career and time is not on my side. By the sound of things I think XRay Tech is my best option for right now and then once I get my XRay Tech cert then I can attend Cypress to obtain my Ultrasound AA Degree. My only concern is that I know years ago that XRay Tech were exposed to much radiation. Is that still true? Is it easier to be an Ultrasound Tech once you completed XRay Tech.? I found this school in los angeles called East L.A. Occupational Center for XRay Tech has anyone heard of it,attended there,takend XRay Tech and is it an accredited school? It cost about $1800 is that a good price? Also I checked out this private school in los angeles for Ultrasound Tech called Career Colleges of America (CCA) and the course is 2yrs has anyone heard of it,attended there for the Ultrasound Tech program and is it accredited? Per my meeting with them the 1st yr is the learning of how to due Ultrasounds and your internship at various well-known hospitals in los angeles. Then the second year is your 1yr work experience. So any feed back on any of my questions would be appreciated.

kelbel in Los Angeles, California said: I'm interested in becoming an Ultrasound Tech. I live in the los angeles area. I've been reading the messages on this site and its been very informative. I'm also interested in becoming an XRay Tech also. However I'm 35 with 2 boys and need a career and time is not on my side. By the sound of things I think XRay Tech is my best option for right now and then once I get my XRay Tech cert then I can attend Cypress to obtain my Ultrasound AA Degree. My only concern is that I know years ago that XRay Tech were exposed to much radiation. Is that still true? Is it easier to be an Ultrasound Tech once you completed XRay Tech.? I found this school in los angeles called East L.A. Occupational Center for XRay Tech has anyone heard of it,attended there,takend XRay Tech and is it an accredited school? It cost about $1800 is that a good price? Also I checked out this private school in los angeles for Ultrasound Tech called Career Colleges of America (CCA) and the course is 2yrs has anyone heard of it,attended there for the Ultrasound Tech program and is it accredited? Per my meeting with them the 1st yr is the learning of how to due Ultrasounds and your internship at various well-known hospitals in los angeles. Then the second year is your 1yr work experience. So any feed back on any of my questions would be appreciated.

www.caahep.org/Find-An-Accredited-Program/ You need to look up the accredited program there. You are better off at a community college based program. I wouldnt waste my time with xray, but thats just me. I know alot of programs for ultraosound require xray first so then I guess you have no choice. Im 37 and starting so anything is possible. You can do it!

Karry in Lenoir, North Carolina said: www.caahep.org/Find-An-Accredited-Program/ You need to look up the accredited program there. You are better off at a community college based program. I wouldnt waste my time with xray, but thats just me. I know alot of programs for ultraosound require xray first so then I guess you have no choice. Im 37 and starting so anything is possible. You can do it!

Thx Karry..I've done my homework and decided too go the Xray Tech route @ a CsDDsXXZZzzz7zzZw
Er community college I'm half way done with pre-req 4 my AA. After I due Xray I'm looking n2 doing MRI n CT then eventually doing Ultrasound.. The best 2 u in your career..

kelbel in Los Angeles, California said: I'm interested in becoming an Ultrasound Tech. I live in the los angeles area. I've been reading the messages on this site and its been very informative. I'm also interested in becoming an XRay Tech also. However I'm 35 with 2 boys and need a career and time is not on my side. By the sound of things I think XRay Tech is my best option for right now and then once I get my XRay Tech cert then I can attend Cypress to obtain my Ultrasound AA Degree. My only concern is that I know years ago that XRay Tech were exposed to much radiation. Is that still true? Is it easier to be an Ultrasound Tech once you completed XRay Tech.? I found this school in los angeles called East L.A. Occupational Center for XRay Tech has anyone heard of it,attended there,takend XRay Tech and is it an accredited school? It cost about $1800 is that a good price? Also I checked out this private school in los angeles for Ultrasound Tech called Career Colleges of America (CCA) and the course is 2yrs has anyone heard of it,attended there for the Ultrasound Tech program and is it accredited? Per my meeting with them the 1st yr is the learning of how to due Ultrasounds and your internship at various well-known hospitals in los angeles. Then the second year is your 1yr work experience. So any feed back on any of my questions would be appreciated.

Kelbel there is a school in Spanish Fort Alabama called the Institute of Ultrasound Diagnosis www.iudmed.com that is a 1 year accredited school. That has a distance progrma. I am not sure if they could set up a clinical site for you in Los Angeles but if you are really interested in Ultrasound the I would suggest you at least contact them.