X-Ray School: What is it Actually Like?

If you are looking into becoming an x-ray technologist then you have come to the right video! Find out what school is really like, a special tip for GI Bill recipients AND my BIGGEST tip for students in the program. As always, leave me questions that you may have! I look forward to seeing you guys again soon!

[@amymeador8991]

I am 50 and just got accepted on my second try! I love your videos. THANK YOU so very much for your time!!

[@SydneyPipp]

That’s awesome! Thank you for your support. Good luck!

[@erinheffner9170]

Thank you for this 🙏 I'm 42

[@chelsieblackwell5212]

Thank you I'm 28 and figuring out what I want to do with a career and you made me feel more sure of myself with this career path ❣️

[@NicklasEwing]

Thank you for the GI Bill tip, I'll be looking to use that in the near future!

[@SydneyPipp]

I’m glad you are going to be able to benefit from that bit of information! Good luck!

[@ciahishername]

great video!

[@stallingsnathan5838]

Subscribed. LOVE the "every day is an interview" portion especially.

[@Yanimaycruz]

Hi Sydney! I’m starting my x ray program this fall and I’m so nervous!! I hope to become a mammography tech in the future🩷thank you for this video, there’s not much x ray content on KZbin.

[@SydneyPipp]

That is so exciting! Just take each day as it comes and stay focused on your mammo goals!

[@shantelwatkins7292]

This is the exact route I’m hoping to take ! I have one more prerequisite to complete, the CPR certification and the ATI teas before applying to my program. I do work full time right now but I hope to be able to lean on my partner once I get in. Do you plan to work ? && Good luck !

[@Yanimaycruz]

@@shantelwatkins7292 yayyy you got this!!! I don’t plan on working while in the program, I’m currently living with my family :) I will probably do DoorDash to have a little spending $ on me!

[@Yanimaycruz]

@@shantelwatkins7292 yayyy you got this!!! Luckily I still live with my family so I don’t have to work while attending the program but I’m planning to Doordash to have spending money :)

[@Yanimaycruz]

@@shantelwatkins7292yayyy you got this!!! Luckily I still live with my family so I don’t plan on working while in the program, just DoorDash to have spending $

[@JennieKim-bm9bw]

Hi! I have a one year old and am a SAHM so when you said you had a one year old at the time I got hope. I am looking to start work again, I don’t know what I want to do but you make it seem doable! Did you have to find childcare frequently while going to school?

[@SydneyPipp]

If you have support from family to help cover the second shift clinicals (my school had a 1pm to 9pm second shift schedule) then the childcare you need would be similar to just having a regular day shift job. The biggest struggle I had was trying to find time to study after bedtime since toddlers need your constant attention! Haha. I sat up front in class and paid close attention to lectures in order to try to retain enough information so that I didn’t need to study as much 😅 It is totally doable though! Good luck!

[@JazmineL08]

I start my program this May. Are you able to use a calculator for math problems on exams and the registry?

[@SydneyPipp]

Yes you will be given a basic calculator for any math problems you have to do on the registry.

[@KylePascual-du1md]

Would I still need to do the pre requisite classes if I have a bachelor’s degree in a non related course. Would I be able to go straight to the core classes? 😅

[@SydneyPipp]

There are specific prerequisites you are required to take that you may have credit for with your bachelors. Some of these courses may be English 1 & 2, anatomy and physiology, college algebra, physics. If you didn’t take these classes prior to earn your bachelors then you will still need to take them either before your core classes or alongside them depending on your program. Your first step would be choosing the school you’re wanting to attend and comparing their corse catalog to your transcript to see what will transfer. The college can help you with this process as well.

[@feliciaalmeida1869]

I couldn’t help but notice that you’re using your GI Bill! How was the process for you? I’m looking forward to get out of the military and use my GI Bill for x-ray school

[@SydneyPipp]

It was so easy! It paid for both my associates and bachelors and I still have some remaining to work on my masters! The financial aid office will work with you and all you should have to provide them with is your GI bill letter of eligibility (might be called something else). Just make sure to apply for FAFSA too so that you can support yourself/family while you’re in school!

[@eybimetal]

​@SydneyPipp What did you get your bachelor's in? Also, how did you manage to have the GI Bill pay for both associates and bachelor's? I just started college and I'm doing prerequisites right now, and I'm just worried I won't have enough time left from the GI Bill to pay for a bachelor's.

[@SydneyPipp]

My bachelors degree is a bachelor of science with an emphasis in education. I took my time completing all of the required courses (sometimes only taking 2 courses per semester) and I still have 12 months of benefits remaining for my GI bill. I plan to use it again for a masters program in the near future 😅 Even if you are taking your time with prerequisites you SHOULD have enough to complete a bachelors degree as well.

[@serenaraquel3961]

With anatomy, is it like blood and muscle or more like the major organs? Or just all of it?

[@SydneyPipp]

There is anatomy and physiology 1 and 2 which covers everything. After those prerequisites then the program focuses mostly on bones and major organs.

[@jakewulgar]

I just turned 28 and didn't go to college. So, i need to take some classes before going into an xray course, right? How long will it take for me to take all these classes along with this course? Is there a possibility that i can do everything online, or do i have to quit my job so i can attend in person?

[@SydneyPipp]

You could potentially go straight into the program without prerequisites being completed depending on the college you choose. However, with it being your first college experience it would be good for you to knock out some prerequisites while you’re working. Once you’re in the program it is possible to work but you’re only going to be available in the evenings or weekends most likely. Clinicals are all day in person 2-3 days a week through most of the program. The other core courses are also in person. You might be able to get some prerequisites done online though.

[@jackiesuarez136]

Thank you for your video!! I have a question how do you see this field in the future? What I mean is do you see a lot of job opportunity do you see a lot of growth in the future I heard they’re gonna pass a bill that nurses are gonna do x-rays. In NC that would be crazy

[@SydneyPipp]

I don’t see nurses overtaking the field of x-ray, they can’t even order exams correctly 🤣. It would be ridiculous to expect them to perform X-rays on top of their list of existing duties. There are so many opportunities in the field and different routes of advancement to take depending on what you want out of your career. I think the field of radiology will remain in demand long term and medical advances will require our skills for years to come.

[@jackiesuarez136]

@@SydneyPipp Thank you so much for replying back. I’m actually going through your videos because I’ll be starting the program in 2026 I think you said you have kids? Did you do the program when you had your kids how was it or do you have a video? I have one right now and another on the way

[@SydneyPipp]

I don’t have one specifically about going through the program with kids. I had a one year old when I started the program and we became pregnant with my second near the very end of the program. It’s challenging but as long as you are able to focus in class and your child is generally healthy so that you’re not missing classes or clinicals then you will be just fine. You may have to lean on your support system to help take care of the kids while you study for big tests or have second shift clinicals. Good luck!

[@jackiesuarez136]

@@SydneyPipp Yes! You are so right about a support system I know I still have a year till I get but I been talking about it with others and seeing what is gonna work for us.

[@jackiesuarez136]

@@SydneyPipp One more question they gave you study guides for your test.

[@ashlynjxo]

Physics and calculus ALMOST made drop out of undergrad😅I vowed to never take either of those courses again but I really want to go to radiology school.

[@SydneyPipp]

There is no calculus to worry about! If you passed your general physics the credit could transfer.

[@Cherry.Hana1]

Hi there, im not good at physics is that hard and such?

[@SydneyPipp]

Physics is a more challenging class for many. I’d suggest taking whatever general physics prerequisite that is required for your program before starting your main classes.

[@Cherry.Hana1]

@@SydneyPipp Thank you 😊

[@TejRecordz]

just got appected to my program i start in fall

[@SydneyPipp]

Good Luck! You can start becoming familiar with bone anatomy to help before your classes begin.

[@sf9421]

How much does an avg. x-ray tech make? I live in the Seattle area and make a good salary for a tech company but am considering going to a 2 year rad-tech program that costs ~$50k total. Do you think it's worth it? My reasons for considering rad-tech is that it seems more fulfilling and engaging (i currently sit in front of a computer 40 hours/week lol).

[@SydneyPipp]

I made a video recently discussing how much an X-ray tech makes in Ohio that you can check out. Other techs from different areas shared their wages in the comments. The pay will probably not meet what you currently make in an IT position but if you feel as though you would improve the quality of your mental health then that could be enough to make the decision to go into radiology. I would suggest job shadowing a rad tech in your area before committing to a program that way you are aware of what to expect post graduation.

[@sf9421]

@@SydneyPipp Got it thanks syndey! do you have any recommendations for how to schedule an informational interview or job shadow (and is this something you did when you started?)

[@SydneyPipp]

It was a requirement for my school to complete 8 hours of job shadowing before starting the course. You should be able to call a hospital or outpatient facility that has medical imaging to request a day to job shadow. On hospital websites you can get the number for the operator and ask for a medical imaging supervisor (specifically X-ray) and they can send you directly to the department. There might be a form you have to sign for them to ensure you will abide by their patient privacy standards. Other than that you shouldn’t be faced with many barriers on shadowing. Good luck!

[@xxvenom]

Wouldnt getting the associates degree satisy the pre req for the english and math or no? Sorry, still trying to learn abour school lol

[@SydneyPipp]

If you have an associates degree in something other than radiologic technology then then there is a possibility that you would have credits to transfer into the rad tech program. If you do not have any college credits to transfer then you would need to complete pre requisites such as your English and math either before or alongside taking your X-ray classes.

[@xxvenom]

@@SydneyPipp Gotcha. Thanks for your knowledge!

[@TimAxi805]

How much does it cost the initial associate, I mean do I have to pay anything for entering the program?

[@SydneyPipp]

My school requires us to pay a fee to “save your seat” once accepted into the program. I believe it was around $800. I cannot attest to fees for other schools.

[@TimAxi805]

@@SydneyPipp Thank you I'm really happy to know that the fees are at least affordable. As a foreign rad tech and a permanent resident in the USA who's really into his job I've always wanted to continue my journey here in the united states in this amazing field that I admire

[@CaptainFatfuk]

How high level is the math? Is it just college algebra? What is the max it goes to?

[@SydneyPipp]

College algebra is the highest math you have to take. Physics includes a mathematical component but as long as you can do linear algebra you shouldn’t worry about it too much.

[@ruthcelaya5142]

Are you saying you do math while in the program? Or it’s a prerequisite only?

[@SydneyPipp]

@@ruthcelaya5142 you have math problems within the program. Specifically for radiation physics and in the radiographic technique courses. However as long as you’re okay with linear algebra it’s not very difficult.

[@bobbiross272]

I will never understand why they make u go through extra classes when it’s not even used on the job…

[@SydneyPipp]

My husband was frustrated with that also as he went through the program. Ultimately that is the difference between earning a degree from a college versus gaining a certificate through a trade school.

[@mikewolf7145]

I got sick halfway through the program with pneumonia many years ago. Glory to God and good friends who taught me how to trade stocks otherwise I'd never be able to retire!

[@SydneyPipp]

I’m glad you were able to recover!

[@monstermix7134]

Nah I don’t think that math is that basic the way she said seem like yeah it’s real struggle I do not like math at all 😂

[@SydneyPipp]

What part of the math do you find to be most challenging?