Milestone #2: Passed the X-ray Registry yesterday

I took the ARRT (American Registry of Radiologic Technologists) Registry yesterday and I PASSED IT!!!

It was a hard test. We have been taking tests all the last semester reviewing basically 5 semesters worth of material, subject by subject, week by week and then taking 3 practice or "mock" registries for class. I passed all my mocks at 84%, 88% and 82%, respectively. We need a grade of 75% or better to pass. Our class tests are supposed to be harder than the real test, so passing them is supposed to assure being able to pass the Registry.

I wouldn't have known it though, with the test I had before me. It was brutally hard. So hard, that at times I worried I actually might not pass. Finally, I hit SUBMIT.

I saw my grade there on the screen and just stared at it...dumbfounded: 87%. I actually asked the lady who walked me out if she could confirm it because I didn't believe my own eyes. Of course, they can't see our grades.

I called my program director and asked him how I could see it again on the ARRT website and he said that I wouldn't be able to. They'll mail it to me with my licensing certification. "Didn't you see it on the screen?" "Yes...I just couldn't believe it!" I'm still floored. The Lord was with me today for sure!

I'm officially able to be called a licensed X-ray tech and can list the initials RT(R) after my name.

Feels so good!

I came home and bought myself a new overdrive pedal to celebrate. I can't quite afford a Lovepedal Les Lius yet, but I got a Smokin' Amps clone. If I like it, I'll buy a real one after I start working and give the clone to my brother.

Guys! I'm DONE!!! (now someone give me a job! Please!)

P.S.: I found out everyone in my class who has taken it so far has passed with 80% or better...including a couple students with MAJOR anxiety (one wanted to push her test out to January). That was the cherry on top of my already great day.

 

Just don't convince yourself you're too old to make the switch. I did it at 48. You can definitely do it!

You can find great programs at most community colleges. They are more invested in their students than many bigger schools and you get more personalized attention. Be prepared to work your butt off though...especially in X-ray or nursing. The programs are HIGHLY competitive to get into (4.0 GPA's to get in are not uncommon). And take the time to learn the pre-req stuff like Anatomy and Physiology and Medical Terminology WELL. Being strong in both will help you IMMENSELY later. And I would plan to take out loans and commit to a lot of study time and study group time in and out of school for the first two semesters of your actual program (at least). Those beginning semesters tend to be very book heavy and you get a LOT of info thrown at you at once. There were a few people that worked while they were in school, but they struggled a lot academically. Think of it as an investment in your future. It's worth the extra time. Especially when all that info comes back around at the end when you take boards or licensing exams. But be encouraged. You can do it. Far less intelligent (and even less disciplined) people than you or I have.

I had a weird leg up in X-ray when we studied image production...which is mostly physics and electronics...because of haunting forums like this reading about circuits and stuff. When we learned about the X-ray tube circuit...many people were confounded. I was like...oh yeah! I've heard some of this kind of stuff before. So THAT'S what that does!

Now I'm dying to try my hand at building a pedal or an amp...