I started in radiography in the early 70s. I have just returned to NHS radiography 30 years on. The difference is HUGE - mainly due to the age of the patients. We no longer heal patiients to go out and lead a full life, we patch up decrepit old nursing home residents to return to their high-backed chairs until their next fall, infection etc etc. Comparisons to the quality of nursing in the past is wrong - the girls who went into nursing then mostly weren't that bright (nor was I). They now have a degree - wouldn't it be considered a waste of skills for a brain surgeon to spend his day washing incontinent patients? But it's ok for nurses? There is a chronic shortage of radiographers and nurses now, there wasn't then - surely that says it all.