Radiology nurses assist patients undergoing diagnostic imaging.
Radiology is one area of specialization within the nursing field. Radiology nurses provide care to patients being diagnosed through radiation-imaging techniques like magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasonography. Nurses working in this field must meet many of the same education requirements as other registered nurses, but they should also meet certification requirements established by the Association for Radiologic & Imaging Nursing.
General Education
An associate or bachelor's degree in nursing is required to become a certified radiologic nurse or CRN. To obtain either an associate or bachelor's degree in the nursing field, aspiring nurses must complete both general education and prerequisite courses as part of their undergraduate general education coursework. This is taken during the first year of an associate degree program and during the first two years of a bachelor's degree program. Students take courses in speech and communication, English and psychology as typical general education courses. Aspiring nursing students also take courses in anatomy and physiology, chemistry, organic chemistry and biochemistry as part of the prerequisite coursework to be formally admitted to their school's nursing program. Minimum GPA requirements are also necessary for admittance to most nursing schools.
Nursing Courses
Whether pursuing an associate or bachelor's degree, nursing students are also required to complete basic nursing courses to complete their nursing program. During the first part of a nursing degree program, students typically take courses in basic nursing care and nursing theory. They then round out their education by completing more advanced and specific nursing courses covering various fields of nursing care such as mental-health nursing, pediatric nursing and gerontology.
Certification
Radiology nurses do not have to obtain certification necessarily to begin work in the radiology field, but having certification can solidify a permanent position, leading to greater pay and greater levels of responsibility. The Association for Radiologic & Imaging Nursing requires that nurses have either an associate or bachelor's degree in nursing with an active license to practice. They also need a minimum of 2,000 hours of documented radiology nursing experience in the last three years. Those who meet the minimum requirements can sit for the CRN exam and obtain certification.
Continuing Education
Continuing education is also necessary both before and following certification through the Association for Radiologic & Imaging Nursing. The association requires that nurses have proof of at least 30 hours of continuing education radiology nursing before sitting for the certification exam. These 30 hours must be completed within the two year before the examination and 15 of these must be in the field of radiology nursing. Nurses must recertify every four years and must complete 60 continuing education hours during those four years.
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