The Destination State, The Destination Degree

Date: March 16, 2023

Florida is a destination location. The state boasts 1,350 miles (2,172.61 km) of collective coastline, some 30,000 lakes,1 and the world-renowned “River of Grass,” a.k.a. the Everglades.¹ Moreover, there are also 26,000 miles (41,842.94 km) of rivers, including the St. John’s River, King’s Bay, and the Florida Keys,¹ not to mention 663 miles (1,067 km) of beaches.¹ Florida is also home to the state’s No #1 tourist attraction—The Walt Disney World Resort.²

The Sunshine State

Equally known for high amounts of streaming vitamin D, the region is synonymous with “The Sunshine State.” Coming by the moniker, honestly, Florida receives no less than 2,927 hours of the golden stuff each year. Whereas temperatures reach well up into the 100s on summer days.³  Not surprisingly, young children, retirees, and even the very old flock to this uniquely shaped “golden” state. 

Cool Facts, Warm State

Beyond theme parks and warm forecasts, the state has some cool facts. Among them, Florida is the third most populated state in the nation.²  Furthermore, it also ranks No. #1 in the U.S. for quality higher education is home to the U.S. Air Force’s Cape Canaveral.² Side note, the Apollo 11 Mission launched from the Kennedy Space Center.² 

Florida is also the only space in the U.S. with a coral barrier reef.⁴ Did you know this state is the only place crocodiles and alligators live together?²  It’s also the home of the U.S.’s oldest city, St. Augustine, Florida, founded in 1565.⁴

Not All Sunshine

However, faced with multiple underserved communities, steep declines in medical professionals, underinsured residents, and a high workforce turnover—it’s not all sunshine. Florida has disparities in quality healthcare. Furthermore, “Of the 21.4 million people calling the Sunshine State home, 4.5 million are over 65,” says an area source. “Soon, the state will not be able to handle the healthcare needs of our residents.”⁶ 

Headlines

Moreover, recent headlines are replete with news stories consistently lumping the state with “Growing Areas, Worst Healthcare.” Echoing this, Harvard Business Review states, “Texas, Florida, and Georgia consistently rank last when it comes to health and healthcare.”⁵ One index places the southernmost state in the bottom portion based on affordability, access to care, and patient outcomes.⁷ 

Healthcare Education

Many feel the antidote to poor healthcare resides in health-science education. According to experts, the fight against subpar care begins with the following “triage:”

• Continuing and broadening grants to pay for additional training.⁶
• Alternative clinical options during training to open other training opportunities and locations.⁶
• Allowing and enticing trained medical staff to teach will enable more people to train simultaneously, growing the workforce.⁶
• Raising public awareness and perception of the occupation of professional caregiving.⁶

A Perfect Time 

With such a need, now may be the perfect time to enter healthcare. If you are on the fence and still contemplating if healthcare is for you, there are some key areas to consider according to a healthcare goal. 

• Surprisingly, one can earn many allied health and imaging professions one can earn relatively easily. 
• There are multiple options for modern healthcare training, which doesn’t take years of schooling or a high prerequisite threshold to enroll.

Career Path, MRI Imaging

One such career path is in MRI imaging. “MRI imaging is a non-invasive technology that produces three-dimensional, detailed anatomical images. 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.”⁹  

Whereby an MRI Technologist is a person who conducts diagnostic examinations on patients, operating MRI scanners to create diagnostic images.⁸ 

Forecast for MRI Imaging

Once more, MRI technology is a needed field. According to the BLS, the job outlook is approximately six percent from 2021 to 2031.⁸ Likewise, more than 16,600 openings for the profession are projected each year, on average, over the next decade.⁸ As of February 14, 2023, the average annual pay for an MRI Technologist in Florida was $70,279* a year or approximately $33.79* an hour.¹⁰ The national median salary for these professionals in 2021 was $77,360.*¹¹ 

Career Rank

Additionally, MRI Technologists as a career rank #10 in U.S. News and World Report’s “Best Healthcare Support Jobs.” They rank #74 in the 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.¹² 

Give A Little More Sunshine

 Given the job satisfaction of an MRI profession, the organic Florida attractions, and the opportunity to do good, perhaps an MRI program in this state might be just “what the doctor ordered!” 

If you aspire to “bring more sunshine” to the Sunshine State, see Gurnick Academy’s new MRI program with clinical locations in Tampa Bay and Orlando 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^a, b, c, d} Oliverio, C. J. “Florida’s Nickname: Stop Calling Florida the Sunshine State–Call It This Instead!” Play Hard, Florida. Nov. 11, 2020. (Accessed Feb. 16, 2023.)
^{2^a, b, c, d, e}  T, Gabrielle. United States. “50 Interesting and Fun Facts about Florida State You Should Know.” Destguides, An Elite Cafemedia Travel Publisher. Dec. 10, 2022. (Accessed Feb. 16, 2023.)
³ Orlando, Karissa. “Florida Nicknames.” Gray Line Orlando, May 19, 2016. (Accessed Feb. 16, 2023.)
^{4^a, b} The Planet D. “19 Fun and Interesting Facts about Florida.” The Planet D: Adventure Travel Blog. May 16, 2021. (Accessed Feb. 16, 2023.)
⁵ Blumenthal, David, and David Radley. “The Fastest-Growing U.S. States Have the Worst Health Care.” Harvard Business Review, Harvard Business School Publishing. June 2, 2021. (Accessed Feb. 17, 2023.)
^{6^a, b, c, d} Ungru, Jennifer. “Florida’s Healthcare System Is in Trouble; Legislators Must Act Fast|Opinion.” Tallahassee Democrat, U.S.A. Today Network. Dec. 17, 2021. (Accessed Feb. 17, 2023.)
⁷ McCann, Adam. “Best and Worst States for Healthcare.” WalletHub, Evolution Finance, Inc. Aug. 1, 2022. (Accessed Feb. 17, 2023.)
^{8^a, b, c} Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, “Radiologic and MRI Technologists.” (Accessed Feb. 17, 2023.)
⁹ 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 Feb. 21, 2023.)
¹⁰ “MRI Technologist Salary in Florida.” ZipRecruiter, ZipRecruiter, Inc. Feb. 14, 2023. (Accessed Feb. 21, 2023.)
¹¹ Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Radiologic, and MRI Technologists. (Accessed Feb. 21, 2023.)
¹² U.S. News Best Jobs. “MRI Technologist Ranks among Best Jobs of 2019.” Usnews.com. U.S. News and World Report L.P., 2016. (Accessed Feb. 21, 2023.)

Categories:

• healthcare
• MRI Tech