Templarum

Are you paid well? Do they give you free food?

Pssst, it's technologist, not technician, unless you're wanting to repair the machines and not operate them.

David RT(R)(IVR)

"But, I wouldn't wish this job on my worst enemy."

Yikes! Drama much? What hell hole do you work in to think that about being an RT? I can't speak for everybody but I find it an incredibly satisfying and financially rewarding job, and I work in a non licensure state with mediocre wages. However, even here our scale is higher than that of nurses.

With attitudes like that I think there may be an alternative reason for being looked down upon as a department. In the ED, OR, in the Units, the RTs work hand in hand with the physicians and respect is a mutual thing; of course some staff are jerks, but for the most part everyone is amicable. But perhaps that is because we keep a high population of trauma and orthopedic patients, and are asked to do many unusual/unorthodox views.

And even if I had a really burning desire to change diapers and be overworked with patient loads, I still wouldn't consider being a nurse. Despite the current glut of Allied Health professionals you alluded to, our hospital continues to hire nursing travelers because of poor working conditions. So i guess the grass is always greener.

Ultimately, the smart student who doesn't have the time or money (or brains) to become a physician would do wise to attend PA school.

Sorry your career sucks, but things could always be worse :)