Anyone who has ever CT scanned a patient who is allergic to the IV contrast knows how scary it can be. Previously, I only dealt with inpatients so I could confirm with the nurse that the patient had in fact received the allergy prep medications. Now I am working almost exclusively with outpatients. This week I had five patients who were ...

The tough job market continues to affect me. I got hired at the VA as a fee-based CT technologist on a part time basis. I was told that I would work 5 days a week every other week until the two full-time open positions were filled. This was supposed to take me at least into the fall of this year. In an unprecedented turn of events, the usually ...

Today I took the NBCOT certification exam.  Wow.  That was not fun.  I have studied diligently for the past 2 months and I do not if I will pass.  It is just one of those exams that you do not walk away from feeling great about your performance.  I say this not only based upon my experience, but of that of my ...

     I only have 5 days left until I take the NBCOT certification exam.  I cannot believe how fast these past few months have flown by.  While a part of me wishes that I had more time to study, the other parts knows that there's not much more I can do, so lets just get this over with.  I hate taking tests.  ...

I spent most of yesterday at the VA Hospital having various tests performed and handing over copies of my fingerprints at the police station. I first met with a nice woman from HR who needed me to sign yet another form. She also informed me that I have more paperwork to complete on line. These forms seem to have no end. She then escorted me ...

     Yesterday I sent in the last piece of paperwork (and check) required to get the licensing/certification ball rolling, now I just need to pass the test.  It is all out of my hands for the moment and I am so anxious!  Before, I was able to exert some control over what was happening by choosing when to send in the ...

Now that we are back in Florida, I am eagerly looking for a job. Thanks to a wonderful former colleague, I am now in the hiring process for a CT position at the VA Hospital. If any of you have ever applied for a government job you know it can be a lengthy process. They have told me it can take up to three months. I am trying to be patient as my ...

Veterinary diagnostic imaging has sure come a long way, baby. The University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine is looking for feline subjects who have a recent diagnosis of congestive heart failure (CHF) or a respiratory illness. The study is examining the use of diagnostic methods that involve minimal stress for cats. X-rays and ...

     I graduated!  I cannot believe that it is over.  I’m done with school.  I’m done with fieldwork.  It is all up to me now.  It hasn’t sunk in yet.  I have been waiting for this for over 2 years and now it’s finally here.     Going back to school at 29 years old was the ...

If you have ever known someone who went through chemotherapy, you’ve probably heard them use the term “chemo brain.” I’ve often wondered if this is a real thing. After a friend of mine had treatment for cancer, she occasionally complained of forgetting things and not thinking clearly. A recent study of women who underwent chemo for breast ...