How Long Does Sonography School Take?
Sonography is a fascinating way to obtain images of a person's tissue for the purpose for medical diagnosis. Safer than X-rays because no radiation is used, it is not a replacement for X-rays because it does not "see" through bone, but rather is complementary to the X-ray process. Currently, the field is experiencing dramatic growth, which is projected by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics to continue over the next decade as Baby Boomers age and need increasing medical care.
Here are some of the options available to those interested in earning a degree that could lead to a career in sonography.
Earning a Degree
Typically, students pursue an associate's or bachelor's degree in sonography. However, some individuals earn degrees in related fields, and then take a certification in sonography, followed by on-the-job training. This is often the path of those, such as nurses, who are already working in healthcare.
In general, sonography students choose an area of specialization, such as abdominal, vascular, obstetrics/gynecology, or echocardiography.
On the way to earning your degree, you will most likely have to complete some clinical hours in a health care setting, usually under the guidance of an experienced professional.
Accelerated vs. Traditional Programs
You can figure on spending about two years earning an associate's degree if you enroll in a traditional program. An accelerated program could, by contrast, take you a year and a half.
While you won’t have as much time allotted as a traditional program, accelerated programs give you these advantages: principally, more flexible scheduling. Some students actually find the accelerated program easier to complete, because the student stays continuously focused on the coursework without a break. That way, students just keep going on their study tracks, and don't lose their momentum as can happen when there is a holiday break.
The most obvious advantage of an accelerated program is that you will graduate sooner and be ready to start looking for a job.
Should You Become a Sonographer?
What characterizes a good sonographer? Excellent communication skills are almost as important as training. You'll be working one-on-one with patients seeking a medical diagnosis for a variety of conditions, and many of them will be anxious about the results. Patience, compassion, and the ability to express oneself with care and precision are indispensable traits for a sonographer.
You will need to explain what you are doing as you go along so as to reduce patient fears, and also possibly discuss some of the results the images reveal. Patients' health will run the gamut from good to seriously ill. For the latter, you should listen to your mentors about the best way to put patients with serious health concerns at ease.
You should also be comfortable touching and positioning patients. You will have to have at times very personal interactions, depending on the nature of the images being taken, so be sure you are comfortable working with the human body, and in situations where the patient is very ill.
Other skills you will need as a sonographer:
- ability to operate technical equipment and interpret results
- good eye-hand coordination to manipulate the transducer (the part that is applied to the patient's skin) and read the image on the screen at the same time
- considerable stamina, as you will likely be standing up a good part of the day, and also interacting with a number of patients
- be good with detail, as you will need to be precise in order to get proper images
Whether you choose an accelerated or traditional program, or seek an associate's or bachelor's degree in the field, you should plan on being a lifelong learner, as there will always be advancements and technological breakthroughs in this field. Plan on joining a professional organization of sonographers so you can take advantage of learning opportunities.
Are you interested in becoming a sonographer but don’t want to wait 2 years to get your degree? ECPI University offers the Associated of Applied Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography at an accelerated pace. For more information about this degree program, connect with a knowledgeable admissions counselor today.
It could be the Best Decision You Ever Make!
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Gainful Employment Information – Sonography - Associate’s
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