Choosing the career path of a radiology nurse means that you will be providing both care and support to patients who are undergoing diagnosis in environments that deal with radiation imaging. Some examples of Radiology Nursing Careers, include magnetic resonance, ultrasonography and radiation oncology. Radiology nursing, also sometimes referred to as cardiac catheterization lab nursing will have you employed in the radiology department of a hospital, clinic or another type of medical care setting.
The Work of a Radiology Nurse
A radiology nurse works under the direction of a radiologist and follows the instructions given by him or her. As previously mentioned, she cares for patients that are going through one or more radiation procedures such as ultrasounds, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and radiation therapy for cancer.
This specialty branch of nursing also involves a variety of other important tasks. A radiology nurse assists in the examination of patients, gives medications, checks intravenous fluids (IV) and helps in sedating patients when it is required. She also monitors the vital signs of the patients in her care, helps to develop patient care plans, collects data and is responsible for record keeping. A radiology nurse must also manage the recovery of patients following these procedures. There are times when a radiology nurse will also be expected to help to educate the family members of patients in regards to the patient’s health condition. She can also serve as a form of emotional care and support for both her patients and their loved ones.
Radiology is considered to be a medical specialty. It focuses on both the study as well as the application of a selection of imaging technologies that can be put to use to diagnose and treat a variety of health conditions. Radiology nurses are a valuable asset in any medical environment. These nurses are registered nurses (RN) who are involved in all aspects of patient care while patients are undergoing one or more types of diagnostic radiation procedures. A radiology nurse has the option of choosing a sub-specialty within the field such as radiation therapy, chemotherapy or diagnostic radiology.
Training and Education of a Radiology Nurse
A radiology nurse must first take the appropriate steps required to become a registered nurse. She does this by either completing a bachelor degree program in nursing or by completing an associate’s degree or a diploma. All nursing programs include intensive classroom instruction, laboratory instruction as well as supervised clinical experiences. Many nurses who wish to work in radiology complete their radiology specialty programs after finishing their nursing program. The radiology specialty program takes approximately one year to finish.
It is compulsory for all registered nurses to obtain a license. To become licensed they must pass the National Council Licensure Examination- Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN). Most nurses who choose radiology as a specialty also obtain their Certified Radiology Nurse (CRN) designation from the American Association of Radiology Nurses. The requirements for this certification include passing a written as well as a practical exam and having a minimum level of radiology related experience. Once a registered nurse becomes a radiology nurse she is expected to complete regular continuing education in order to maintain her licenses and her certifications. She is also expected to stay current and aware of all advancements in her field of work.
Career Outlook and Salary
Due to the nursing shortage in the United States nurses of all specialties are in high demand. In particular the job prospects for radiology nurses with both professional certifications and extensive levels of experience are very great. For those looking to break into a new field of work this is an excellent time to do so! The medical world is always in need of professional and skilled individuals who will make patient care a top priority.
The average annual salary for a radiology nurse as of December 2009 was $56,000. Be aware however that annual salaries vary tremendously according to such factors as education, experience, employer, location and benefits.
