Sunday 24 May 2015

Wow What A Week!

Well it has been a very busy couple of weeks and really quite stressful too, but all worth it.  Last week I visited another hospital to see some treatments that we don't do at my clinical placement site.  Heading to London on the train was a welcome break from my normal commute and I actually caught up on reading my favourite magazines.  A warm welcome greeted me when I arrived and it was really informative seeing how a different radiotherapy worked.  Taking time to organise elective placements was important to me and I still have a couple more in the next few weeks.  So if you are offered the chance for electives, take it, go somewhere that does something that you haven't seen, ask questions, be interested in other staffs and departments approaches to treatment.

This week has been even busier and really quite stressful.  My final assignment was due in on Friday and I had my first interview for a newly qualified radiographer job.  No pressure then! Also just to add to the mix, dissertation results were released on Thursday, just hours before my interview.  I managed to get the assignment done and dusted by Wednesday and finished off revising for my interview on my study day.  With shaking hands I nervously logged on to the uni website at 6am on Thursday to get my dissertation results......a 1+.....I had to look three times to be certain.  To be honest it still hasn't quite sunk in but I am absolutely thrilled, all the hard work paid off.  For months I had given up my weekends, reading journal articles, getting to grips with research methodologies, writing my dissertation.

Off I headed for interview, nervously entering my placement hospital, hoping that I could perform well enough to be offered a job.  I came away feeling it had gone well but not convinced I would get the job, having got in muddle about a planning technique!  Also having prepared for all sorts of scenario questions I was disappointed that the interview questions hadn't really covered these.  But there was no need to panic, I got the job.  I am so pleased to be joining the team at my placement hospital as a Band 5 radiographer, I am sure knowing the staff and how things are done within the department will be very beneficial as I start my new career.

So a busy week indeed! Whilst I can't guess my final degree classification I am closer to being awarded a first.  I never dreamed of that when I began this journey nearly three years ago.  Just five more weeks and I will know the outcome.

Good luck to all student radiographers heading off to interviews in the coming weeks and for results day.

Until next time, take care.
Zoe
xo

Saturday 9 May 2015

Camp Bestival - Official Blogger


Yes it's true I will be joining the fantabulous Camp Bestival team again as an official blogger.  I am thrilled to be working with the team again and we are all very excited already.  Nevermind how amazing the line up is, Kaiser Chiefs, The Shires, Soul II Soul (need I say more?!), Camp Bestival is our favourite festival and truly is the place where memories are made that will be cherished forever.  

Over the coming weeks I will be bringing you the latest news and any additions to the line up as well as my top tips and the things we are planning to do.  In the meantime you can read about our adventures at Camp Bestival last summer before booking your tickets at www.campbestival.net!

Have a fabulous weekend and until next time take care.
Zoe
xo

Friday 8 May 2015

Inspiring A Future Generation of Radiographers

Last term Kitty was learning about the human body as part of her Year 3 science topic and was very interested in naming bones and discovering how different things inside her worked.  Obviously I was thrilled to see such enthusiasm and answered her many questions each evening.  Towards the end of term she asked if I could come in and talk about seeing inside our bodies as her interest in my new career has continued.  Of course I jumped at the chance, I have always loved spending time in the classroom and relished the opportunity to talk about x-rays to 7 and 8 year olds.  Thankfully Kitty's teacher was as keen for me to visit, so soon after handing in my dissertation I planned my talk. Getting Kitty involved in preparing a short powerpoint presentation helped me gauge what her friends would be interested in.  Soon we were searching for x-rays of animals, child friendly x-ray machines and CT scanners, as well as some interesting fracture images.
  
By keeping it simple, asking about the childrens own experience of x-rays and giving them an insight into how we can see inside our bodies, kept their interest.  Hands were raised with numerous questions waiting to be asked.  For me this was exciting to see such enthusiasm about radiography at a young age.  Whilst universities regularly visit careers events for GCSE and A level students to promote courses in both diagnostic and therapeutic radiography I believe we are missing more exposure for our profession. The national curriculum and the exam syllabuses offer us ample opportunities to share our knowledge and grab the attention of the future radiography workforce. Quick, simple talks in primary schools for Kitty's age group when they are learning about the human body, radiation is part of the GCSE Physics syllabus, Lucy learnt all about cancer and radiotherapy in her Year 9 biology lessons.  I truly believe with some planning there is great opportunity for radiographers to be involved with schools when discussing these more specialist areas of the curriculum, 

Perhaps this is what the national curriculum lacks, the collaborations with various professionals. But that's a another post entirely!

Until next time, take care.
Zoe
xo