Is Sonography A Good Career Choice?

Is Diagnostic Medical sonography a good career choice vs RN?

• is Diagnostic Medical Sonography a good career choice? i can't decide RN or sonography...i am wondering which one is better over all for someone with a family...do you enjoy your ...show more

• Answer:

  It depends which suits you better. A nurse has a higher level of education, and therefore gives you more options and better pay. You will have more options about different settings in which to work - hospital, outpatient, schools, skilled nursing - and options for going on to education, consulting, etc. You will not have so many different options as a sonographer. However, either job could be good depending on which one suits your talents and preferences. Nurses will give medications, do procedures such as placing lines and catheters, perform wound care, and counsel and educate patients - all with the orders of the physician. You do not have the ability as a nurse to decide on a plan of care (unless you go on to be an advanced practice nurse). Sonographers spend their day in pretty dark rooms, and perform ultrasounds (also as ordered by the physician). It can be rewarding to be able to get good pictures that assist with a diagnosis, or reassure a patient - but as the sonographer, you have very limited ability to interpret the test you are performing and actual should not be discussing the results with the patient.