A medical student who wants to take a promising road in the healthcare industry has a few options to choose from. Two useful and interesting fields of study are nursing and radiology. 

Students who get a degree in either will feel fulfilled. But one thing to always keep in mind before studying either is that both nursing and radiology are demanding fields. There are many tasks that will be part of your daily routine, like reading or correcting patient records, communicating with patients, and sharing information with doctors. You can be called for duty at any given hour as a nurse or a radiologist. 

Not sure which direction you want to go? Researching and reading about nursing and radiology may help you to make an informed decision. 

What Should a Student Know About Radiology?

Studying radiology and becoming a radiologist will mean that you will learn how to work with all the medical and advanced technologies belonging to the premises. You will learn how to use medical imaging procedures, such as x-rays, magnetic resonance imaging, nuclear medicine, positron emission tomography, and ultrasound to treat injuries and disease. 

Operating these machines requires a high degree of competence and adherence to safety measures to lower the risk of harm to yourself and others.

A radiologist will complete a total of at least 13 years of training, which includes medical school, a four-year residency, and the multi-year fellowship of specialized training in diagnostics oncology, pediatric radiology, or interventional radiology. 

What Should a Student Know About Nursing?  

Being a nurse makes you an essential part of the medical field. You will be face to face with patients of all backgrounds and conditions. You will also work closely with doctors to communicate information, such as the patient’s subjective and objective experiences related to their biological, physical, and behavioral needs.

But nursing is not easy. Unlike areas of medicine where you specialize in a particular field of study, as a nurse, you will be learning everyone else’s roles while also fulfilling your daily duties. There are also several types of nurses that will guide your educational path. 

To become a nurse, you will need to enter into either an associate’s degree program or a bachelor’s degree program. You will also need to take the National Council Licensure Examination after receiving a nursing license from the state board.

If you become a nurse, you should expect to encounter a variety of questions regarding health and wellness. While you will rely on a doctor to prescribe medication, but you may still be able to give advice on a broad range of health matters. From exercise to nutrition, and diet supplements from brands like Cardiovascular Research, Nordic Naturals, or Hylands that may help to fill nutritional gaps.

There are many areas of nursing that a student can choose to study, whereas these options are limited or almost none when it comes to radiology. Both nursing and radiology are a good alternative to decide between, but both have their pros and cons to consider.