Ok so ima try to make this short lol I been an RDA (registered dental assistant) for about 12 yrs, I started really young when I was 18/19 yrs old. I took a short cut going to a trade school for it, I couldn’t go to college at that time but I had always wanted to do ultrasound tech since high school. Few yrs later I was finally able to go to college, I’m almost done and I’ll be getting my AA. I ended up changing my mind doing ultrasound and was determined I wanted to do X-ray tech instead (my college offers that program after getting an Associates and it’s what made me go back to school) It’s been taking me about 5 yrs! Because working full time and being a single parent can be tough going to school. So now that I’m getting really close to finishing this part of school I been thinking If I should stay in the dental field and do hygiene, I know everything and have my foot in the door. But I don’t want to regret it later that I never changed careers and got stuck doing dental, I do love dental though but I originally wanted to do ultrasound then changed to X-ray tech. I been looking at job postings so I have an idea how open are both positions, the pay, benefits, etc. and from what I know from hygienists is that 1.They mostly work part time 3-4 days a week 2. Since that’s the case they don’t always get benefits or raises PTO etc, 3. You get back and wrist problems ( I’m already getting back prob. Being an assistant). The pay is good but you can’t really branch out too much the way an X-ray tech can. For X-ray techs: you can work hospitals,clinics dr offices, the pay isn’t as great when you start like an RDH but more then likely could get benefits and eventually get paid better, the schedule isn’t always fun because if you work at a hospital you can work graveyard or weekends and I’m really trying go for an RDH schedule working 3-4 days 8-5pm job and from what I see X-rays techs don’t always work those hrs. i don’t know what to do and I don’t personally know any X-rays techs to give me an inside scoop. So if there’s anyone out there who is or knows X-rays techs and hygienists I would really appreciate your honest thoughts and opinions and any personal suggestions on these careers. Should I stick to dental that I know how to do? Or should I jump to X-ray tech?