Sonography? Guidance please.

[markatrus]

Hello everyone! I'm not a med student, however my question is FOR med students. I need advice, and feedback from you about the nature of working in the medical field. What kind of personality you must posess or that is at least helpful, skills, etc. and I want to hear it from you! Help guide me in the right direction if you would, please. Currently, I've been looking at a Sonography program through a Medical University. I don't know any personally to question, so I'm not sure exactly what the occupation entails. Reasearching isn't the same as talking to someone first-hand, kwim?

Anyway, I'll give some background on me. First of all, I'm a mother of 4. I have an A.A.S in Architecture, however I know now that I made the wrong choice when deciding on a major. I chose Architecture b/c I have an artistic ability, I'm creative, enjoy designing, and using my hands...artsy/craftsy. I did well in the program, graduating with a 3.489 with 4 young children, but it's not what I ENJOY. I chose an area where I knew I'd do well at, instead of one I'd truly enjoy.

However, I've always been interested in ob/gyn, specifically midwifery. It's too late for me to become either, nor do I wish to now, but I'm wondering if the medical/healthcare field would be good for me. I enjoy details, (sometimes too much), very much a perfectionist, I like organizing, categorizing, thinking...wasting a lot of time, sometimes, OVER thinking. I have yet to take Bio or A&P courses, although I plan on doing so, and know I will love them. I've always been into Science and Biology in highschool, however I was a poor student due to family matters. I was not the student that was squeamish dissecting worms, frogs, cats in school. I was very much interested in it. Loved it, actually. I'm a very driven person, and if I put my mind to it, I can do anything...no matter how long it takes. I won't stop til the job's done and to my satisfaction.

So, I guess my main concern is whether I'd be good at it.... and am I "smart" enough. It would be a huge commitment for me to go back to school again, but I really want to. I'm unsettled in my current situation and feel idle. I'd greatly appreciate any suggestions you have regarding potential choices within the field. I just need some ideas. I can only afford about 3 years worth of education before I must be working.

I apologize that this is all over the place and not well thought out... I'm trying to get it done before my kids get off the bus.

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[ArcGurren]

Just FYI your designation is "Fellow", which is completely not representative of what you are - a Fellow is a person who has completed their medical residency and is pursuing a fellowship in some sort of subspecialty.

Being not squeamish is definitely a good quality to have in OB/Gyn, no matter what part of the field you're in (C-sections are probably some of the bloodiest surgeries) and generally speaking it does involve long hours, lots of stress, and a lot of on-your-toes stuff. You're definitely a good student but I'd first take a look into biology and see if that's even your general field of interest before pursuing it. OB has a lot of complex human physiology and you need to make sure you're up to it.

Good luck!

 

[canjosh]

Sonography is a cool field that requires a fairly high level of anatomical knowledge. It's probably the most technician-dependent field in imaging--meaning the sonographer can really make/break the quality of the study, and you can greatly influence the diagnostic capacity of the study. You will have a lot of responsibility in this field.

There are several opportunities for specialization within the field, including vascular, echo, and ob/gyn. Income potential is decent considering it's an associate's degree-type program. Not as good as nursing in terms of pay.

 

[markatrus]

Just FYI your designation is "Fellow", which is completely not representative of what you are - a Fellow is a person who has completed their medical residency and is pursuing a fellowship in some sort of subspecialty.

Being not squeamish is definitely a good quality to have in OB/Gyn, no matter what part of the field you're in (C-sections are probably some of the bloodiest surgeries) and generally speaking it does involve long hours, lots of stress, and a lot of on-your-toes stuff. You're definitely a good student but I'd first take a look into biology and see if that's even your general field of interest before pursuing it. OB has a lot of complex human physiology and you need to make sure you're up to it.

Good luck!

Thank you. I'm trying to get some feedback, even before interviewing/shadowing a sonographer, as to what it may be like from the mouths of people who may have had the chance to explore that area. If not sonography, then any other ideas. I understand that I can't even base any decision on the fact that I haven't had Bio or A&P courses yet... I'm just trying to imagine where I'd go after those courses, IF I happen to enjoy them. (I'm pretty sure I will....and I just borrowed a stack of Bio & A&P books from an RN friend of mine who recently graduated, so I will see). I'm trying to be extra cautious in this decision, and planning carefully, for I feel as if this is my last shot at choosing the right career for me. Financially, it is, so I have to do my research and make sure I make the right choice this time.

Thanks again! As of right now, it's all hypothetical...but any feedback and insight is being taken into great consideration.

 

[markatrus]

Sonography is a cool field that requires a fairly high level of anatomical knowledge. It's probably the most technician-dependent field in imaging--meaning the sonographer can really make/break the quality of the study, and you can greatly influence the diagnostic capacity of the study. You will have a lot of responsibility in this field.

There are several opportunities for specialization within the field, including vascular, echo, and ob/gyn. Income potential is decent considering it's an associate's degree-type program. Not as good as nursing in terms of pay.

I have to admit, I'm fairly insecure of the idea of being fully responsible for the diagnosis...as I read somewhere else "what the sonographer doesn't see, no one will".

If I'm not 100% sure of a subject, I don't pretend I do, but feel very confident with a subject I know well. I guess what I'm saying is that if I feel like I have a handle on human anatomy and know it like the back of my hand, then I could handle the responsibility. I'll first take the courses and decided then (obviously). If I struggle remembering the anatomy then I'll know to move on to something other than Sonography.

I understand that a lot of this is common sense, but it's helping to discuss with someone "out loud". Thank you!!

 

[Law2Doc]

...
However, I've always been interested in ob/gyn, ...

Just bear in mind that obstetrics is only a portion of what many sonographers typically do, and depending on your region's demographics, the more plentiful sonography jobs might not even be in this field. In some regions, far more ultrasound studies get ordered for vascular or abdominal reasons than obstetrics. So have an open mind. You just might find yourself with more career options evaluating scrotal masses and liver/kidney failure instead of pregnancies.

 

[Jolie South]

This question is more suited to the non-traditional forum. Med students frequent and respond to questions posed there.