This week I saw my first patient refuse her CT scan due to her concerns of receiving too much radiation. She stated that she has had numerous scans recently and knows that the radiation can be dangerous. This led me to research this topic a bit and gather some more information so I could be better informed. I found an article in USA Today that ...

Not only am I enjoying my new career more and more each week but I am so grateful to have all of the benefits that come with a full time position. My benefits recently kicked in and I am saving a good deal of money each month on prescriptions and doctor's visits.One thing I haven't had since 1997 is paid time off. I took my first weekend off this ...

I recently had the pleasure of taking care of and scanning my first legally blind patient. Having worked with special needs children in previous jobs I had no reservations about treating this patient. Most patients are usually in pain and scared to have their first CT so you can imagine how nervous she must have been not being able to see the ...

One month and counting! It is almost graduation day, and time sure is flying. I am truly loving CT and am learning more than my fair share each day. I have never seen so many people suffer from a ground level fall (GLF). We saw a guy recently who actually broke his neck from a GLF. It doesn't seem possible, but then again I guess anything is ...

I had a great week! I did well on my first cumulative science comp and am managing to study a few hours each day for the registry. This is easing my discomfort about taking the test quite a bit. I have had a few ''ah ha!'' moments where things all sort of seemed to come together and make sense. This was, of course, fleeting, but at least it ...

As healthcare professionals, we sometimes forget what it's like to be a patient. We forget what's it's like to be sick, cold and scared. I think that part of any medical training should include time spent as a patient. Even people who pride themselves on their good patient care skills would benefit. What does it feel like to be moved around ...

My new clinical site, Moffitt Cancer Center, is offering me many new learning experiences in a state-of-the-art facility. All of the patients who come to this hospital for diagnostic exams have cancer. I see both inpatients and outpatients of all ages each day. My favorite part of my job is working with the patients and trying to make a ...

What do you do when, as a training student, you get paired up with a technologist for the day that doesn't share your work ethic? That's what happened to me today. Every time I turned around, the technologist and I were doing things differently. Not that either one of us was technically right or wrong all of the time, we just approached ...

Today I worked in the VA emergency room for the first time. It is brand new, and all the equipment is digital, so that was great. The portable machine is a dinosaur but manageable. When I'm working in the VA, I often feel sad to see so many sick and frequently homeless veterans. It is important to remember that all people deserve the same level ...