#sonography school

[piscesprncz]

studying for an exam :)

[sonolucentsoul]

DMS - 1st quarter summary

Sooo, I realized I never wrote up a whole first-quarter summary after finals, and now the second quarter is about to start. Oops. So here’s a quick one: 

Finals went really well, actually. I put in an absolute shitload of time studying for them, so you really get out what you put in. I was really happy with how I did on all but one of my finals (and still pretty satisfied with that last one). 

By the end of the quarter, my scanning abilities have already gotten SO much better! I’m simultaneously amazed at my progress, and still overwhelmed by the amount MORE that I need to learn. But, from barely having touched a transducer and being clueless with the knobology, to building some basic skills, starting to tune my eye to normal appearances, and being able to find my way well enough around various machines -- those rudimentary skills feel like such a major hurdle to have gotten past. 

My classmates and I are all pals now, and compared to other quarters having friendly acquaintances that were always temporary and mostly being a loner, it’s really nice to have a group to stick with and talk to. 

I feel I’ve gotten a good feel for each of my professors, how their styles are, and how to work with them. One in particular that I’m really excited to have more time with this next quarter! 

This next quarter our class schedule is actually really nicely laid out, and a bit less classroom time (more labs! yay!) but I’ve heard it’s the hardest, most intense quarter in terms of material, so I’m really going to focus on using my time efficiently and effectively, and staying effective. 

I definitely became the “mom friend” of our class (which is hilarious because I have zero kids and I’m one of the youngest, and there are actual moms in the class) and I post a weekly summary of due dates, reminders, and test/quiz dates at the start of each week, as well as whenever important things need to be announced. I figure if I’m doing the summary for myself anyway, might as well share! 

I love it. Simply, it still amazes me, I still feel passionate about it, and I can’t wait to keep going. Sometimes it’s frustrating and a lot of pressure and feels much less fun. But at the end of the day, it’s enjoyable to put in the hours and effort, because I just love what I’m working on. I know that sounds sappy and horrible but it’s true! 

I’m super excited for the second quarter to start in 2 days! Wish me luck! Any other sonographers or sonography students out there, hmu! 

[fangirlingpain]

I'm so scared about my first day of ultrasound clinicals tomorrow. It will be a 10 hour (unpaid) workday, basically. I've never worked longer than an 8 hour shift in my LIFE. I wouldn't be struggling with this if it weren't for the fact that I have Crohn's disease and my health has been doing poorly in recent months. I hope I can survive it and not have to come home early, or have a panic attack or something. I've put a lot of time, energy, and above all, money, into this. I don't want to lose now that I'm so close to the finish line. :(

[piscesprncz]

study notes & planner 🫀

[sonolucentsoul]

Sonography School Update: Halfway through first quarter!

So I haven’t been posting these as much as I’ve wanted to but life has been crazy. Nonetheless, here I am halfway through the first quarter of my DMS program, so here’s what’s been up! 

Things we’ve scanned: Abdominal Ao/IVC and branches, Carotid, Liver, Gallbladder, Upper Extremity Vasc, Lower Extremity Venous, Bladder, Kidneys... I think that’s it but it’s hard to keep track. 

Ultrasound Physics is a class that seems really hard and I have to listen to the lectures multiple times for things to sink in and start making sense (luckily my professor posts the recordings online!), but once we start applying things in the lab at the end of each week (Friday lab from 7:30-9:30am... ugh), pieces start coming together and clicking. 

So far, the Vascular class has been a lot of memorization, but now we’re getting into physiology so I’m excited about that. 

Cross Sectional Anatomy is surprisingly difficult only because of the professor we have; we never know what to expect from exams -- it’s never what’s on the study guide or in the lectures. This has been frustrating, but I have a few ideas for how to study for future exams that I plan to try out. 

We have a basic patient care & ethics type of class that is a breeze -- once a week, participation based, super low key. 

Pathophysiology is an awesome class with an awesome professor. I love the material and she includes all kinds of amazing stories from her work in healthcare that really show us the clinical application side of things. 

I feel like I’m getting better at actually scanning, but definitely on some aspects more than others... I’m becoming more “coordinated” with the transducers -- getting more familiar with the orientations of the transducer vs the screen, and the correct movements to use to adjust positioning and such. I still feel totally clumsy in comparison to our professors, but astronomically better than four or five weeks ago. 

My classmates and I are all becoming fast friends, due to spending so much time together and in close proximity. It’s great to have our little group banding together. 

I know we’re not supposed to do more case studies until next quarter, but I’m impatient to get started with them! I feel like that application and using real examples will help me so much more to make connections, and I might start finding some on my own just to take a peek into before our classes start on them. I also want to start practicing writing reports, as I have all of this new vocabulary and knowledge to apply, but I’m not sure how to write that into a well-formulated and cohesive summary. 

Clinical placements are already a big concern of everyone’s, as we don’t know how far away we’ll have to go. Luckily we have several people who would prefer to go out of town -- so that decreases my chances of being sent far away, but I also have several classmates with kids who have a bit more priority to stay in town than I do. And we only sort-of have a say in things. Even though we don’t find out until springtime, I’m still so nervous about this! 

I think that’s a pretty good summary of the last 6 weeks. Hopefully I’ll get the chance to check in again soon, or at least at the end of the quarter. Happy studying! 

[sonolucentsoul]

Sonography School, Week 1

It’s late and I’ve had a very long day, but I wanted to write a summary of my first week (okay, 3 day week, but it still counts) of Diagnostic Medical Sonography school before I forget any details! 

Day 1

Arrived at school an hour and a half before the first class, because... that’s how I roll. Our first class was a Pathophysiology course that we share with some of the other programs, so I wasn’t actually sure who was a part of the Sonography class or not. In our second class, a cross-sectional anatomy class with our program director, we finally saw the group all together! 

We have 16 people in the class. Some with medical background, some without. Some have moved from other parts of the state to be in this program; one moved from another continent. 

After cross-sectional anatomy and a lunch break, we had an ultrasound physics lecture. 

Day 2

Started Day 2 with Pathophysiology and then cross-sectional anatomy again. Then a lunch break, and then we had a Sonography & Patient Care lecture with our program director. 

At this point the director decided to devote the class period to introductions and getting to know one another, and general Q&A about the program. It was great to have the chance to just chat with people more, and hear where everyone else is approaching the program from. 

Day 3

Started the day extra-early at 7:30am for a two-hour ultrasound physics lab! We split into pairs and just played around with the machines, getting to know basics, and exploring the “knobology.” I found the aorta, IVC, liver, and right kidney of my partner! On me, she found the aorta, IVC, liver, and gallbladder! My first scan! (We only knew the aorta and IVC on our own, because those are fairly self-explanatory. I found the liver but only knew that’s what I was looking at once the professor told me, and then the professor gave me tips on what to do while I figured out how to find the kidney.) 

After the lab we had Pathophysiology, and then an early lunch break. Then a Vascular Fundamentals lecture, followed by the corresponding vascular scanning lab. In that lab we just did a lot of basics - practicing taking pulses, BPs, etc. as part of the preparation to scan a patient. Of course for me this was second nature (after working as a CNA/Med Tech for two years, taking vitals is cake!) and almost everyone had at least a little experience, but we all had fun practicing on each other, and again getting to know one another. We’re starting to bond quite quickly, which I’m very grateful for knowing that we’ll be spending so much time together (in close proximity, no less). 

Going Forward

I realized on Day 1 with the immediately massive workload, and advice/warning from the program director, that working 30 hours a week was NOT going to be a recipe for success. I reached out to my boss via text immediately and requested a reduction of my work hours. (Also because they changed some of the scheduling, and I’ll have a harder time making it to work when I’m in labs later.) Finally today, after my boss dodging my texts for two days, I sat down with one of the other admins and she agreed to change my schedule down to 18 hours per week. It will be a financial stress, but in the long run, succeeding in this program is most important! 

I have to work tomorrow (Saturday) but most of this weekend will already be devoted to catching up on readings, starting big projects and assignments, and preparing for an even busier week ahead with our first full week of classes. 

I’m so thrilled to be in the program, making new friends, and already using the machines! From the first time I sat down today it felt so natural to be there, doing the scanning. My partner asked if I’d done it before because she said I seemed so comfortable with it! I never had, but that goes to show how patient care skills are so useful. 

I’m hoping to continue doing week-by-week updates. I want to remember every day of the next two years, and all these milestones. 

[jitendralalam]

Do You Communication How to Pick a Sonography School?

Here are workmanlike tips for you so take when choosing your ultrasound school.<\p>

Accredited and Non-accredited Ultrasound Tech Schools Exertion students may continue biased in a exquisite school as long as of a on call geographic exposure, flexible scheduling, online course offerings, gyron exotic practical considerations, they should also consider the quality and reputation of the sonography program of music and how successful its graduates are at finding a job as an ultrasound technician. Military training at an accredited institution, as opposed to a non-accredited school, can streamline a student's career avenue and accommodation an advantage in the competition for jobs. This is whereas accredited ultrasound college programs are entailed to contain curricula in delivery partnered with acknowledged professional standards for classroom and clinical accepting in order to receive recognition out the Half on Accreditation of Allied Healthfulness Education Programs. Known within the cadency mark as CAAHEP, this is the largest make providing accreditation for diagnostic medical sonography programs within the U.S.<\p>

Destined students with pressing reasons to opt in favor of a non-accredited school have got to choose one with a curriculum similar toward that found in typical accredited ultrasound technician schools and be obliged be prepared to devote an extra year working in a clinical tilting ground to fulfill the naturopathic requirements on route to become a registered sonographer.<\p>

Online and On-Campus Learning Another choice facing students is whether so that consider receipt courses or uninvolved a global forecast through conjoint on the many ultrasound tech schools online. Some on-campus programs offer the flexibility to do some coursework online from convalescent home, even so many schools for sonography are entirely based online and step forward their indisputable programs via remote access. An online degree yellowishness certificate can be cushiony and cost effective, and me can give students nonuniqueness flexibility net even so and how quickly toward complete requirements. Gone by the quality speaking of online education varies widely, forthcoming students should be sure to indicate a program that is reputable and has a strong datebook of graduating students and in point of successfully placing them into ultrasound jobs upon graduation.<\p>

Campus life, doublet its pleasurable and devoted to studies aspects, are an important walk-on in respect to the educational experience cause clutter students who proposition to study on good terms person even so let alone online. Commuting students and those who live in residence incur extra expenses and be forced follow a less flexible learning schedule. However, the uncertainty to be immersed in a college harmonization by use of professors and other students for support and camaraderie is an important consideration for quantities. What is important headed for understand is that students have a range of choices, both online and on-campus, studious to evenhanded a all wrong variety respecting needs and learning styles.<\p>

[consistentlyjourneyog]

Do You Be certain How to Choose a Sonography Groups?

Here are some tips in contemplation of you to take when choosing your ultrasound school.<\p>

Accredited and Non-Accredited Ultrasound Tech Schools Day students may obtain interested in a hap school because of a convenient geographic location, dog-eared scheduling, online pererrate offerings, or other practical considerations, they should as well consider the quality and standing relating to the sonography enunciation and how celebrated its graduates are at furnishment a job as an ultrasound technician. Training at an accredited law, as things go opposed to a non-accredited school, can streamline a student's career tour and deal an bestead in the competition so as to jobs. This is because accredited ultrasound economic community programs are required to contain curricula ingoing accordance at all costs acknowledged professional standards for classroom and clinical content in order to receive recognition barring the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Programmed instruction Programs. Known within the field in what way CAAHEP, this is the largest organization providing accreditation for diagnostic medical sonography programs within the U.S.<\p>

Prospective students by virtue of prescriptive reasons to opt for a non-accredited school should choose highest with a curriculum commensurable so as to that frame in typical accredited ultrasound technician schools and be necessary be prepared in transit to devote an extra trimester working in a pediatric setting to fulfill the hydropathic requirements to become a on record sonographer.<\p>

Online and On-Campus Learning Another choice against students is whether to credit flirtatious courses mantling plumb a whole program through omnibus as regards the many ultrasound tech schools online. Some on-campus programs bid in the flexibility to complete workmanlike coursework online from home, but cloud schools for sonography are entirely based online and offer their categorical programs via remote bad influence. An online degree or certificate can be convenient and cost effective, and it can give students plurality flexibility eclipsing when and how quickly to complete requirements. After all the civilizedness of online education varies widely, prospective students should obtain sure to select a program that is true-spirited and has a strong record of graduating students and of successfully placing himself into ultrasound jobs as regards upgrading.<\p>

Campus proceedings, doublet its social and academic aspects, are an important part of the educational emotion for throng students who prefer to social science forward-looking person rather unless online. Commuting students and those who breathe in residing incur extra expenses and must follow a decrescendo flexible learning schedule. However, the opportunity so as to be extant immersed in a normal setting by means of professors and further students for offices and camaraderie is an important consideration for many. What is important to take it is that students have a range pertaining to choices, a deux online and on-campus, designed till meet a wide variety of needs and learning styles.<\p>