Shine in the Golden State: Get Your A.S. in MRI
Date: April 3, 2023
In early 1848, a few gold nuggets were discovered floating down Sutter’s Creek in the West’s newly formed Sacramento Valley. As news of the event spread, thousands of prospective miners rushed into San Francisco, Sacramento, and surrounding areas—effectively sparking The California Gold Rush.1 The development was arguably one of the most significant events shaping American history within the first half of the 19th century. (The region officially received statehood two years later, on September 9, 1850.)2
The Golden State
Moreover, the search for the shiny nuggets effectively undergirded California, as it came to be known, as a land of chance and opportunity.3 So synonymous is California with budding potential, it’s nicknamed `The Golden State.’ However, the moniker didn’t become official until 1968. One of the earliest uses of `The Golden State’ was put forth in a book title by Eliza Farnhamin around 1856. Admittedly the book promoted California’s many attractions. “Yet, the name has only grown in popularity.”4
State Nuggets
Today, California is still vastly known as a land with endless opportunities. It’s the seat of Silicon Valley with countless technological startups. Its “values and entrepreneurial spirit have powered this ascent to becoming the 4th-biggest economy in the world.”5
Historically, California boasts Hollywood Boulevard’s star-studded streets. Besides, it’s the birthplace of actors, millionaires, mansions, and more. California is home to the iconic Palm Springs, where thousands flock for warm sunshine. It hosts iconic draws such as Hurst Castle, the Golden Gate Bridge, and Disneyland. Even pop culture, such as the Beach Boys, immortalized the state’s white sand, warm, inviting beaches, and “endless summers” with top hits like “Surfin U.S.A.” and “Wish They All Could Be California Girls.”
Eclectic Places
The region is also home to National Parks, including the Redwoods and Joshua Tree. Death Valley and State Parks, such as Big Sur, make for eclectic scapes. While Venice Beach, Santa Cruz, and San Francisco are destination locations. From coastal areas like Los Angeles to rugged areas like Bakersfield or the mountains. It has oceans, desert terrain, Mount Shasta, Mount Whitney, and the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Its regions may be metropolitan or downright rural. They are destination places as well as just average American towns.
Not All Golden
Despite its “glitz and glamour” legendary origins, not all is “golden” in the “Golden State.”
One area of great challenge is quality healthcare. By and large, California residents struggle to afford high healthcare costs. According to the California Healthcare Foundation:
- Half of Californians (49 percent) skipped or postponed some type of health care due to cost in the past 12 months.6
- Among those who postponed care, 47 percent reported that their condition worsened. This is an increase from last year’s survey (41 percent).6
- One in four Californians (25 percent) say they or someone in their family had problems paying at least one medical bill in the past 12 months, an increase from 20 percent in last year’s survey.6
- Forty-three percent of lower-income Californians report having issues paying medical bills, an increase from 32 percent last year.6
Healthcare Education
Many feel the antidote to poor healthcare resides in health and science education. Experts say the fight against subpar care begins with accessible medical care and a ready-trained workforce. With such a need, now is the time for suitable answers and solutions.
If one is contemplating whether a healthcare profession is for you, now may be the perfect time for a student to enter the field. Here are some key areas to consider according to a healthcare goal.
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The climate for trained healthcare professionals is currently high.
- Many allied health and imaging programs don’t take years of schooling. Surprisingly, there are specific programs one might train in and complete quicker than one might realize.
- Multiple options in modern healthcare training exist which don’t require high prerequisite thresholds for acceptance into specific programs.
Career Path, MRI Imaging
One healthcare program meeting the above criteria is MRI imaging. MRI imaging is a non-invasive technology that produces three-dimensional, detailed anatomical images.7 Magnetic Resonance Imaging scans are procedures for imaging the human brain, spinal cord, nerves, muscles, ligaments, and tendons.
Because of its low-risk-to-benefit ratio, the MRI has even been called one of the most revolutionary procedures of this century. It is often used for disease detection, diagnosis, and treatment monitoring.”7 Whereby an MRI Technologist is a person who conducts diagnostic examinations on patients, operating MRI scanners to create diagnostic images.8
`Prospects’ for MRI Imaging
Once more, according to the BLS, the job outlook for MRI Technologists is approximately six percent from 2021 to 2031.8 Further, there are more than 16,600 openings for the profession projected each year, on average, over the next decade.8
Many also find in the profession a living wage. As of May 2019, the mean annual salary for MRI technologists in California was $81,060–$97,180* a year.9 Whereby, the national median salary for these professionals in 2021 was $77,360.*10
‘Good as Gold’
Additionally, as a career, MRI Technologists rank #10 in U.S. News and World Report’s “Best Healthcare Support Jobs” and #74 in 100 “Best Jobs” overall. Vocations are rated according to their ability to offer an elusive mix of factors, including median salary, job market, future growth, stress, and work-life balance.11
Golden Opportunity
Given the job satisfaction of an MRI profession, the organic California attractions, and the opportunity to do good, perhaps an MRI program in this state might be just the best discovery you’ve made.
Have we “sparked” a desire to do acts of healthcare service in “The Golden State?” If so, “dig into” Gurnick Academy’s new MRI program with clinical locations in California today.~
*This may or may not be your experience. It’s important to remember that salaries can vary depending on many factors, including seniority, experience, geographic location, company policies, and culture.
Citations:
1 Editors, History com. “California Gold Rush.” History A&E Television Networks, LLC.Ⓒ April 6, 2010. (Accessed March 24, 2023.)
2 “California Admission Day September 9, 1850.” CA State Parks, State of California. (Accessed March 27, 2023.)
3 Fach, Billy. “Why Is California Called the Golden State?” Property Escape.Ⓒ December 9, 2021. (Accessed March 24, 2023.)
4 —. “Nickname–Golden State.” California State Capitol Museum, CA.GOV. October 19, 2021. (Accessed March 24, 2023.)
5 “ICYMI: California Poised to Become World’s 4th Biggest Economy.” California Governor, State of California. October 24, 2022. (Accessed March 27, 2023.)
6^a, b, c, d Catterson, Rebecca, et al. “The 2022 CHCF California Health Policy Survey.” California Health Care Foundation, California Health Care Foundation. January 27, 2022. (Accessed March 27, 2023.)
7 ^a, b National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering. “Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).” National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. July 17, 2018. (Accessed February 21, 2023.)
8^a, b, c Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, “Radiologic and MRI Technologists.” (Accessed February 17, 2023.)
9 “Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists.” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, June 2020. (Accessed March 23, 2023.)
10 Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Radiologic, and MRI Technologists. (Accessed February 21, 2023.)
11 U.S. News Best Jobs. “MRI Technologist Ranks among Best Jobs of 2019.” U.S. News and World Report L.P., 2016. (Accessed February 21, 2023.)
Gurnick Academy is not endorsed, associated, or affiliated in any way with Property Escape.Ⓒ
Gurnick Academy is not endorsed, associated, or affiliated in any way with History A&E Television Networks, LLC.Ⓒ
