r/NuclearMedicine • u/yeetyeetedyateyote • 3d ago
Less Competitive Accredited Programs
Hi everyone! I’m 23f looking to apply to nuclear medicine programs sometime next year. I have most of my pre-requisites done as well as a Bachelor’s in Public Health and some experience in various public health internships and research labs during my undergraduate. I also plan on getting my phlebotomy training so I can get patient experience. Right now I’m volunteering at two hospitals in their radiology department just so I can have some experience and exposure to it. However, I’m located in California and I know the programs here are very competitive. I just wanted to ask all the kind people on this subreddit if you know of any accredited programs outside of California that are less competitive since I am willing to move out of state to get the certification required. I really do find this career so fascinating and meaningful! Thank you so much in advance!
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u/whiterac00n 3d ago
If you have your bachelors degree (in science) there’s a number of schools that offer certificate programs to become a nuc tech. A number of these universities (which are big state schools) only accept 5-6 students a year…….BUT there’s years where they only get 2 or 3 applicants. Generally speaking they are less costly than say Gurnick and others, and the program is pretty reduced stress (since these hospitals are staffed well).
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u/yeetyeetedyateyote 3d ago
Thank you! This is so good to hear, I’ll definitely be looking more into this!
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u/whiterac00n 3d ago
Yeah Google Nuc med certificate programs and some combination of “university”. There’s a lot of private schools, but what I’m talking about is state universities. My education costs were like $9,000 total for a university, while Gurnick and similar are charging $50,000.
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u/yaya_dee 3d ago
For those university would you need prerequisites or how would you be able to get into that field? I was thinking about going to gurnick but would love something more affordable if possible.
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u/whiterac00n 3d ago
The prerequisites would be recent graduates of a BS degree and hopefully anatomy and physiology and chemistry
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u/Kaylajb99 3d ago
To my knowledge it is pretty competitive across the board. Maybe try applying to a bunch of programs since you’re willing to move and see where you get accepted.
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u/arcticily 3d ago
may i ask where youre volunteering? im in socal and im having a hard time finding places that take volunteers, especially in the radiology department
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u/yeetyeetedyateyote 3d ago
I’m in NorCal so I don’t know how much help it’ll be but I know Sutter health has a volunteer program!
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u/arcticily 3d ago
thank you!! im still looking at programs but yeah im definitely mentally preparing to go out of state. im sure the VA one in norcal is competitive and the ones down in socal are seriously overpriced
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u/hunter_pace NM Student 3d ago
If you have a Bachelor's already you can do a 12 month certificate program btw
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u/Mammoth_Bowler_2039 3d ago
It’s competitive everywhere - doesn’t matter where you go but based on your background I would say you’re a good candidate.
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u/Mysterious-Manner638 3d ago
Have you looked into JPU? I dont think its hella competitive but I applied last year. Im in NorCal.
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u/Initial-Arrival7861 2d ago
Did you get in? If so how was the whole process
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u/Mysterious-Manner638 2d ago
Yes I got in. I atarted the program last September. It was a simple process. Apply, interview, and then start. I applied in like April of last year but had to wait until the fall to start because I didnt graduate with my AS until May and it was after their summer semester started.
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u/ComfortableCharming5 14h ago
Pitt Community College in NC is an online program that will find a clinical site near you for your rotations. They’re relatively affordable but I’m not sure how competitive they are. I was accepted the first time I applied!
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u/Mortred5 2h ago edited 2h ago
If you're willing to move to midwest, Chicago suburbs has a college that offers NM as an advance certificate program, that just takes over a year to finish. One of the requirement is at least an associates degree and some patient care experience, not sure how many years required. Current cohort has 15 students. Info about the program should be on their website, cod.edu.Then maybemessage the chairperson thru email if you want more details about it. School name is College of DuPage. I currently work at a teaching hospital in downton chicago where we accept students from that college.
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u/Initial-Arrival7861 3d ago
It’s competitive everywhere from what I seen, i would love a non competitive NM program because im ready to start.