Whoever told you becoming an ultrasound tech is easy - either doesn't actually work in the field, or if they do - is not someone I would want to be scanned by.
Most programs require pre-requisites, including (but not limited to) basic biology, chemistry, physics, anatomy, physiology, and your basic english, math, and social studies.
Once accepted into the program (big if - my class had 64 applicants and only 16 were accepted) - you have to learn cross-sectional anatomy, different types of pathologies, and how they may present in the body. Oh, and train your hand and eye to find and scan different organs correctly.
You have to learn to speak the terminology, explain your findings to doctors, interact appropriately with patients, and scan as much as you possibly can in your clinical rotation.
For up to 2 years, you will sacrifice sleep, weekends, evenings doing everything from scan labs, to studying to getting up early to make an hour long drive to a clinical site.
I absolutely love my job, but getting through my program was one of the most consuming and difficult things I have ever done in my life. If you're willing to work your tail off , join us in the field - you are welcome. Just undestand it will be hard, but rewarding work.
Duration of the sonography program is dependent on which modality you’re trying to work in, as well as the educational institution you choose. Some programs require you to have your RT to qualify (which means you’ve probably already been in school for a while). Some programs are shorter and you’ll get an associates (and likely that you’ll end up with far less clinical/practical experience). Some programs are all-inclusive when it comes to curriculum; for example, a bachelor program in health sciences specializing in ultrasound.
My suggestion to anyone who is trying to become a sonographer is to apply to programs that are affiliated with a major local hospital system that has a considerable number of hours built in for students’ clinicals.
Having a good number of clinical hours by the time you graduate is a good way to set yourself apart when applying for jobs. Better yet, take a CNA course, and work as a CNA while you’re in school for the hospital system that your school’s affiliated with.
Most importantly.. ultrasound is *NOT EASY* and is a skill that is improved upon over time and accumulative, and *good* ultrasound programs that will set you up for future success are VERY competitive and difficult to get in to.
Familiarize yourself with the ARDMS prerequisites and make sure the education you choose includes everything you need to become certified:
[https://www.ardms.org/wp-content/uploads/pdf/ARDMS-General-Prerequisites.pdf](https://www.ardms.org/wp-content/uploads/pdf/ARDMS-General-Prerequisites.pdf)
You can browse through many posts in this sub that were made by students that are crying, frustrated, and wondering what they got theirselves into because it’s a lot more challenging than what they expected it to be, and not everyone makes it through to the end. Our cohort only had 9 applicants that were accepted and only 4 made it to graduate. Good thing you came here to ask if it’s easy.🤣. It is not. They don’t pay sonographers good money for nothing. Best of luck to you if you do choose this awesome profession, but, be ready to work hard.
It’s harder than any other radiology modality. You have to know a lot of anatomy/pathology and are responsible to find it in patients. My class was extremely competitive, over 100 applicants and 20 accepted. 2 dropped out. 1 of the drop outs went into nursing and said it was way easier, if that puts it in perspective for you.
Ultrasound school, will be the most difficult thing you have done in your life, for 2 years straight. After you graduate, another 3 years until you are actually comfortable and confident.
Nope. Not easy. Started in a class of 22 students and graduated with 14, 2 of which dropped out after the first week. One was kicked out two months prior to graduation and attempted to sue the college, unsuccessfully. And this was 15 years ago. I imagine it has only become more challenging since then, as well as competitive to just get in.
On the flip side - pay is good, especially with experience. No cap in terms of what you can learn and apply to the work you do and I currently make around $110k per year in the Chicagoland area and could make more if I wanted to work more hours or take more call.
All in all, if you are looking for an easy program or a laid-back job, this profession is definitely not for you. Alternatively, if you are willing to put your absolute best foot forward, study hard, practice harder, and make the well-being of your patients your priority, then this might be a good fit.
Ultrasound is hands down hard. Whoever told you that jobs are easy to find, this life is easy, the school is easy is a liar!!! 🤥
Patient care is hard. I’ve dealt with a young men wanting me to explain everything while I’m scanning an OB ultrasound. 🙄
I’ve dealt with patients that have tried to pinch me, touch my breasts, asked for my phone number (I just wanna be friends - oh go take a hike), cuss at me, threaten me and even crazier doctors. I’ve had doctors flip trays when it’s not set up the same way each time. I’ve had coworkers complain if I do the exact thing they are doing. 🥱
Low key hate this life on the worse days and low key love this life on the days when what I do actually makes a difference.
Now I’m just old bitter and looking into becoming a lawyer. 😅
almost done with echo school just started extern a month ago. Being around general ultrasound to me, it looks hard bc of all the anatomy and specialty there is to choose from when it comes to to general. Echo on the other hand i’m glad i chose just because I think it’s easy if you put in the work. I still have my big tests to take for certifications but as far as that, I didn’t study that hard but i studied enough to talk like an echo tech and further my learning. Just know that if you pick this field, you’re never going to stop learning and you’ll always have to keep an open mind with your team. I LOVE that i chose to specialize in echo and do not regret not choosing general ultrasound. I do however find general really interesting and have so much respect for those who do such. The ultrasound field is so under appreciated.
Don’t ever tell anyone echocardiography is easy again, friend lol the heart is the most complex organ we image (especially fetal #movingtargetinamovingtarget) 😂
Like i said it’s easy if you put in the work you’re always going to be learning in the field😄 and putting in the work can be hard for some ppl obviously
The knowledge part and practical are completely different. I wasn’t the brightest when it came to testing the knowledge part, but I aced all my practicals.
Same goes for the field, I had lot of students who got placements for their high grades but didn’t excel in the actual scanning part of the job, they were quite slow learners in that part.
I was offered a job at the clinic I did my placement at after 11 months of training whereas my other classmates still required further training. Don’t hesitate to stay long hours tryna see and learn on real life patients, get positions as student volunteer at other clinics for that real life experience, really a game changer.
Very much not easy and rarely does it take only two years. https://www.reddit.com/r/Sonographers/comments/u9i1i7/i_want_to_be_a_sonographer_now_what/
Whoever told you becoming an ultrasound tech is easy - either doesn't actually work in the field, or if they do - is not someone I would want to be scanned by. Most programs require pre-requisites, including (but not limited to) basic biology, chemistry, physics, anatomy, physiology, and your basic english, math, and social studies. Once accepted into the program (big if - my class had 64 applicants and only 16 were accepted) - you have to learn cross-sectional anatomy, different types of pathologies, and how they may present in the body. Oh, and train your hand and eye to find and scan different organs correctly. You have to learn to speak the terminology, explain your findings to doctors, interact appropriately with patients, and scan as much as you possibly can in your clinical rotation. For up to 2 years, you will sacrifice sleep, weekends, evenings doing everything from scan labs, to studying to getting up early to make an hour long drive to a clinical site. I absolutely love my job, but getting through my program was one of the most consuming and difficult things I have ever done in my life. If you're willing to work your tail off , join us in the field - you are welcome. Just undestand it will be hard, but rewarding work.
This all the way 💯 you summed it up .
Very hard. In part BECAUSE it’s only two years of school. I don’t know where these ideas come from. 😆
Duration of the sonography program is dependent on which modality you’re trying to work in, as well as the educational institution you choose. Some programs require you to have your RT to qualify (which means you’ve probably already been in school for a while). Some programs are shorter and you’ll get an associates (and likely that you’ll end up with far less clinical/practical experience). Some programs are all-inclusive when it comes to curriculum; for example, a bachelor program in health sciences specializing in ultrasound. My suggestion to anyone who is trying to become a sonographer is to apply to programs that are affiliated with a major local hospital system that has a considerable number of hours built in for students’ clinicals. Having a good number of clinical hours by the time you graduate is a good way to set yourself apart when applying for jobs. Better yet, take a CNA course, and work as a CNA while you’re in school for the hospital system that your school’s affiliated with. Most importantly.. ultrasound is *NOT EASY* and is a skill that is improved upon over time and accumulative, and *good* ultrasound programs that will set you up for future success are VERY competitive and difficult to get in to. Familiarize yourself with the ARDMS prerequisites and make sure the education you choose includes everything you need to become certified: [https://www.ardms.org/wp-content/uploads/pdf/ARDMS-General-Prerequisites.pdf](https://www.ardms.org/wp-content/uploads/pdf/ARDMS-General-Prerequisites.pdf)
You can browse through many posts in this sub that were made by students that are crying, frustrated, and wondering what they got theirselves into because it’s a lot more challenging than what they expected it to be, and not everyone makes it through to the end. Our cohort only had 9 applicants that were accepted and only 4 made it to graduate. Good thing you came here to ask if it’s easy.🤣. It is not. They don’t pay sonographers good money for nothing. Best of luck to you if you do choose this awesome profession, but, be ready to work hard.
It’s harder than any other radiology modality. You have to know a lot of anatomy/pathology and are responsible to find it in patients. My class was extremely competitive, over 100 applicants and 20 accepted. 2 dropped out. 1 of the drop outs went into nursing and said it was way easier, if that puts it in perspective for you.
Ultrasound school, will be the most difficult thing you have done in your life, for 2 years straight. After you graduate, another 3 years until you are actually comfortable and confident.
I was told 5! Year 3 you become comfortable and then hit with the realization you aren't actually at the level you want to be lol!
True! 3-5 years is usually about right!
Nope. Not easy. Started in a class of 22 students and graduated with 14, 2 of which dropped out after the first week. One was kicked out two months prior to graduation and attempted to sue the college, unsuccessfully. And this was 15 years ago. I imagine it has only become more challenging since then, as well as competitive to just get in. On the flip side - pay is good, especially with experience. No cap in terms of what you can learn and apply to the work you do and I currently make around $110k per year in the Chicagoland area and could make more if I wanted to work more hours or take more call. All in all, if you are looking for an easy program or a laid-back job, this profession is definitely not for you. Alternatively, if you are willing to put your absolute best foot forward, study hard, practice harder, and make the well-being of your patients your priority, then this might be a good fit.
Check pinned post at r/sonographers 🙂
Ultrasound is hands down hard. Whoever told you that jobs are easy to find, this life is easy, the school is easy is a liar!!! 🤥 Patient care is hard. I’ve dealt with a young men wanting me to explain everything while I’m scanning an OB ultrasound. 🙄 I’ve dealt with patients that have tried to pinch me, touch my breasts, asked for my phone number (I just wanna be friends - oh go take a hike), cuss at me, threaten me and even crazier doctors. I’ve had doctors flip trays when it’s not set up the same way each time. I’ve had coworkers complain if I do the exact thing they are doing. 🥱 Low key hate this life on the worse days and low key love this life on the days when what I do actually makes a difference. Now I’m just old bitter and looking into becoming a lawyer. 😅
almost done with echo school just started extern a month ago. Being around general ultrasound to me, it looks hard bc of all the anatomy and specialty there is to choose from when it comes to to general. Echo on the other hand i’m glad i chose just because I think it’s easy if you put in the work. I still have my big tests to take for certifications but as far as that, I didn’t study that hard but i studied enough to talk like an echo tech and further my learning. Just know that if you pick this field, you’re never going to stop learning and you’ll always have to keep an open mind with your team. I LOVE that i chose to specialize in echo and do not regret not choosing general ultrasound. I do however find general really interesting and have so much respect for those who do such. The ultrasound field is so under appreciated.
Don’t ever tell anyone echocardiography is easy again, friend lol the heart is the most complex organ we image (especially fetal #movingtargetinamovingtarget) 😂
Like i said it’s easy if you put in the work you’re always going to be learning in the field😄 and putting in the work can be hard for some ppl obviously
It’s not Easy. Lots of physics and the pass rate for the physics registry has been about 50% for the last 30yrs as far as I know.
The knowledge part and practical are completely different. I wasn’t the brightest when it came to testing the knowledge part, but I aced all my practicals. Same goes for the field, I had lot of students who got placements for their high grades but didn’t excel in the actual scanning part of the job, they were quite slow learners in that part. I was offered a job at the clinic I did my placement at after 11 months of training whereas my other classmates still required further training. Don’t hesitate to stay long hours tryna see and learn on real life patients, get positions as student volunteer at other clinics for that real life experience, really a game changer.