September MRI Experiences

Well, I have completed almost 50 hours of MRI time in the past four weeks. I have enjoyed every minute of it. There is so much to learn and some days I leave feeling overwhelmed and stupid. I know that is not the case, but I guess since I know the anatomy I feel I should easily pick up on it and I haven't yet. All the techs teaching me are awesome. They tell me not to feel stupid that there is so much to learn and it takes at least a year to really learn it all.

In my hours spent, I have actually done quite a bit of scanning. I like to watch a few and then scan. I feel I learn better when I am in the driver's seat and have a copilot leading me through. I have been writing tips and techniques down in a notebook that I keep at my clinical site. This helps me know what range the TE and TR must be in, as well as other information about creatinine checks and certain protocols for ordering physicians. This was a suggestion from a tech who actually completed his MRI training through USI's program. The three body parts I have scanned most are shoulders, knees, and lumbar spines. I am actually starting to become comfortable scanning these areas without being given instructions, but just asking the tech to check and make sure my alignments are good. I have seen scans of ankles, feet, wrists, elbows, forearms, brains, thoracic spines, cervical spines, and hips. One thing I am having a hard time seeing is subtle motion. I am able to identify flow and obvious motion. I was able to see a zipper artifact on a brain. There is so much to learn still.

I am having a great time learning MRI. I am hopefully that by my next post I won't feel quite as inadequate and more confident with what I am learning.

Introduction Blog

Hello! My name is Nichole. I am 22 years old. I work as a special procedures tech at an out-patient imaging center in Greenwood, IN. I am also doing my clinical experience in MRI at my place of employment. I still have 2 years of courses left, taking 2-3 per semester. In my free time I enjoy running, reading, boating, camping, gardening, and spending time with my family and friends. I have never created a blog before so this is new and exciting for me!