Okay, so, I’ve been diving into this whole ultrasound tech thing, and let me tell you, it’s been a journey! I decided to check out the Ivy Tech ultrasound program, and it’s way more involved than I thought.
First off, I started by just looking up what they offer. Turns out, Ivy Tech has this Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) program with a few different paths you can take – like focusing on the heart, blood vessels, or general stuff. I was like, “Cool, options!”
Getting Started
So, I dug deeper and found out that before you even apply, you gotta take this USA (Ultrasound Student Assessment) exam online. It seems pretty serious. It’s like they want to make sure you’re really cut out for this.
- Take the USA exam
- Then apply for the program
The Classes
Then there’s the actual coursework. Man, it’s no joke! I was reading through their sample course sequence, and it’s packed. You’ve got your basic anatomy and physiology, but then it gets into the nitty-gritty of ultrasound physics. There’s even a couple of physics classes, like DMSI 101 and the combo of DMSI 112 and 123, you have to take. I was sweating just reading about it!
Hands-On Stuff
But it’s not all books and tests. What really got me was the hands-on part. I learned that you have to be able to move patients around – and not just any patients, but people of all sizes. Plus, you’re lugging around heavy ultrasound equipment all day. It made me realize that you need to be in pretty good shape for this.
- Help position patients
- Carry and push heavy equipment
Two Years of Work
This whole program is an Associate of Applied Science degree, and it takes two years to finish. Two years! That’s a serious commitment. I started thinking about how much time and effort it would take.
Wrapping My Head Around It
Honestly, the more I looked into it, the more I realized this isn’t just some quick certification. It’s a whole career path, and a demanding one at that. But, it’s also super interesting, and it seems like you’re really making a difference in people’s lives.
So, that’s where I’m at with the Ivy Tech ultrasound program. It’s been eye-opening, to say the least. I’m still figuring out if it’s the right path for me, but I wanted to share my experience so far. It’s definitely something to think long and hard about before jumping in!
If any of you have gone through this program, or something similar, I’d love to hear about your experience. Maybe we can swap some stories and advice!
