u/Different-Teach-2404

I’ve been going back and forth on what healthcare career to pursue and I’ve finally narrowed it down to MRI or Nuclear Medicine. For context, I won’t be going through an X-ray/radiography program first. I’ll be entering either MRI or Nuclear Medicine directly, so I’m specifically deciding between those two paths and both would work with my current situation, so now I’m mostly trying to decide based on the actual careers.
I plan on staying in Los Angeles/SoCal long term. I understand that as a new grad I might have to commute farther, take per diem work, or be less picky about my first job to get experience, and I’m okay with that.

For anyone who works in MRI or Nuclear Medicine, especially in Southern California:
Which career would you choose if you were starting over today?
How difficult was it to land your first job after graduating?
Is MRI actually oversaturated in LA, or is finding that first job similar to most healthcare careers where you just have to get your foot in the door?
How is the job market for Nuclear Medicine in LA? I know it’s a smaller field, but does that make finding work significantly harder?
Once you have 1–2 years of experience, does finding work become much easier?
Do you feel like there are plenty of opportunities in your field around LA/SoCal?
Any major pros/cons of MRI vs Nuclear Medicine that you wish you knew before choosing?

I’m not expecting to graduate and immediately land the perfect hospital job five minutes from home. I mainly want to make sure I’m choosing a career where I can realistically build a career and continue finding work in Southern California.
Would really appreciate hearing from MRI techs, NMTs, hiring managers, or recent grads in the LA area.

I’m seriously considering going into Nuclear Medicine and have been looking at NPCollege(National Polytechnic College) in Lakewood. I’m hoping to hear from anyone who has actually attended their Nuclear Medicine program, currently works as an NMT in Southern California, or is involved in hiring NMTs. Their schedule would actually make it possible for me to keep working during the didactic portion.
My biggest concern is accreditation. From what I understand, NPCollege is not JRCNMT-accredited, while schools like Gurnick are. NPCollege says its program allows graduates to pursue ARRT certification, but since it isn’t JRCNMT-accredited, I’m concerned graduates may not be eligible for the NMTCB exam/CNMT credential.

For people actually working in Los Angeles/SoCal:
Does being ARRT(N) certified vs NMTCB/CNMT make any meaningful difference when applying for jobs?
Are there hospitals in LA/SoCal that prefer or require NMTCB/CNMT, or is ARRT(N) normally accepted?
Does graduating from a non-JRCNMT program like NPCollege put you at any disadvantage when trying to get your first job?
Has anyone here actually graduated from NPCollege’s Nuclear Medicine program? How were the instructors, clinical sites, board preparation, and job placement?

I’m also curious about the Nuclear Medicine job market in LA. Are new grads generally able to find full-time positions, or do most people start per diem/part-time and work their way into a full-time hospital position?
I’m currently deciding between Nuclear Medicine and MRI.
Any experiences with NPCollege specifically would be really appreciated because there isn’t much information about their Nuclear Medicine program online.

Hey guys so I’m debating between MRI school at casa loma(Sherman oaks), RN at West Coast or Nuclear at Gurnick. Not sure how competitive they are but I plan on living in LA and not moving out. I heard MRI is saturated in LA. Does that mean I’d have to take contracts outside Cali to find my first few jobs or I’d have to take permanent jobs? Contracts sound like travel MRI and I know that doesn’t happen for new students.

Also I know RN is always needed but not sure how the job market is here or for Nuclear as well. Any advice is helpful! Thank you!

Hello everyone,

I’m considering going into nursing and going to do the private school route. Any recommendations to schools in SoCal? I saw one program at Career Care Institute for an ADN program but haven’t heard much about it and says it’s not ACEN accredited but is COE accredited. I don’t know if that means anything but any info will help.

Thank you!

Hi everyone,

So I’ve decided to pursue a career as a MRI Technologist since I can’t obtain a job with my current degree. I was just trying to decide between some schools in SoCal. Has anyone attended the casa Loma Sherman oaks mri program? If so, what was your experience?

I know it’ll be difficult to get a job in SoCal but I have hopes I’ll land one and heard some people be able to get one as well. But does make me hesitate. Also, if you attended another school, if you can share your experience. Even some feedback on potentially doing travel down the line. Won’t mind doing that as long as it isn’t too far.

The schedule for casa loma just works with my work schedule even though I’m worried about the 6 months clinicals and how I’ll be able to work.

Thank you!