u/velvet-mango

I’m applying for the Nuc med tech program in March 2027 and will be obtaining an Associate of Science in Nuclear Medicine Technology.

For those of you in this field, what made you want to join this specific career?

Were you passionate about nuclear medicine, disease detection, technology, the financial benefit, or something else?

For me, I’m genuinely interested in science and understanding systems. I’m very much someone who follows protocol and feels passionate about not cutting corners when it comes to patient care (I currently work in dental). I feel like this job is mainly science + strict protocol. That with the added combination of patient care (which I love), and ability to work almost independently seems appealing to me…. And obviously the pay!

I’d love to hear your reasons for choosing this.
After being in the field for a bit, do you still feel the same way about it or has anything changed? Do you regret anything about choosing this field?

I’ve been doing a lot of research on a career change and nuc med came out of nowhere.

I’m 33 and currently have 14 years of dental assisting experience with 0 college credits. My current career field does not pay well enough to live off of, even after 14 years.

I would need to obtain all of my prerequisites and then apply for the program. I was interested in the Gurnick program here in SoCal which states it’s about a 2 year degree after my prereqs.

My plan is to continue working full time while completing my prereqs (maybe 2 classes a semester) and then quit my job for the nuc med program and get something part-time for weekends to pay my bills.

I just have a couple of questions for those who are currently completing/have completed the program:

1. Do you find that the end goal was worth it? I’ve been seeing many mixed reviews on the curriculum.

2. I enjoy patient care but I do not enjoy the fast-paced burnout that comes with dental assisting (constantly moving fast, setting up, no time for restroom, moving on the fly, the unpredictable procedures, the micromanaging, etc), however, I see parallels with nuc med in that way.
   *even if there are parallels, I feel that nuc med could be worth it over assisting due to the pay.

3. Is it realistic to think I can find a decent nuc med job with an associates degree from a nuc med tech program after my prereqs? Or do many places require bachelors in science?

4. Can you tell me what you like most about your schooling/career and what you like the least?

5. Any advice for me?

I’m still reviewing all my options but this career seems to be the best bridge with my healthcare background in dental/being around xray equipment. I believe from start to finish it would take possibly 4-5 years to achieve my prereqs and certifications. Does that timeline seem relatively realistic?

Thank you so much!!!