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change of heart

I honestly dont think radiography or health care is for me anymore.

Work has really crushed my soul.

Im 6 months into sonography, I am liking it dont get me wrong, Im liking it more than radiography but I feel like theres much more to life.

I feel like there is so much corruption within health care now. Hospitals are all about being a business and keeping the customer happy rather than caring about their staff or their wellbeing.

The thing is, I dont know what I’d do if I quit. Sometimes I just want to quit and become a cleaner lollllll

No wonder the older rads get bitter sometimes. Im already bitter and Im only 3 years out lol!

Some of the things that really annoy me about radiography: - We study to become trained professionals in what we do but we are not treated as professionals. Our opinions rarely matter and is not valued. We hardly ever get thanks from doctors yet we work like dogs to get their “urgent scan” done on time.

- It is all about pushing numbers through and “just doing it” rather than doing what is best for the patient. Radiologists no longer care about the patient and would rather you do the exam than talk to the other medical team’s consultant to discuss necessity of scans.

- Everything is chinese whispers. You’re talking to junior doctors who have no clue why they’re ordering xrays and are just doing it because their reg or consultant told them to do it. - Overordering. The patient had a CT the night before but they still require an US, MRI and XR for the exact same thing. No one checks anymore and when you question it, it is almost always “just do it”. Then people wonder why we’re running out of money?

These things (And more) happen every single day and I am broken.

Started Ultrasound training lately!

My god. The couple of first days I was like a deer in headlights. It is just incredible the amount of knowledge that sonographers have. They make it look so easy.

It really daunts me that 1) i will either give up 2) I may someday be half as good as them.

My seniors are pretty good, they know how hard it is when you first start and they are very compassionate and helpful which is what you need.

I dont start uni again till next month but ive been getting a headstart on scanning and getting used to basic pathology before all hell breaks loose.

im officially qualified!

October 8th

So I wrote my last post in April saying how fast time has gone. 6 months has gone by. Im spewing.

This time last year I was stressing out about getting a job. 1 year on? Slightly stressing about my contract getting renewed/extended. I have around 3 months left? Im also looking for a sonography training position as well. It would be tops if I could find a place that I can train with sonography and also work in X-ray. Ive applied for some US training positions but havent heard back yet. I have to wait an extra year at my current place before an US position opens up.

My US physics exam is at the end of this month and I cant wait. Im kinda over it. Working full time and also studying is a right pain and exhausting. You exhaust your brain at work and you exhaust it at home.

Last semester when I did my anatomy US unit I think i was actually brain dead 2 weeks leading into the exam. After that I was free like a bird.

So many things have happened within the past 6 months in my personal life.. .haha.. things I thought would never happen. But shit happens. Life moves on.

Im dead set on completing my US training then moving overseas to work. Im so excited about that.

More about my actual X-ray training year. Ive progressed so much. I started on-call work in September and my first call was a bloody trauma hahaha. It actually went well considering the little knowledge I had. I just had to take everything nice and slow. We ended up doing pan scan CT and also some x-rays. How good does it feel when everything goes smoothly and you dont have to do repeats?

Mobiles im more confident now. I can actually do one properly and think about why Im doing this and that rather than just pointing and shooting. Im pretty confident with fluoroscopy as well. Last year I didnt even touch the machine but once you know how to use the controls, you’re set.

Training here is awesome. Training in a rural place is incredible. I recommend anyone to do it. You just get so much more experience independently and also more widespread experience.

CTs... i def need more practice with especially with the theory behind things. Can someone recommend some good CT textbooks? One that is a good mix between the theory, anatomy and technical part?

Things I need to improve on - Theory behind CT exams e.g. anatomy, why we do certain phases, understand the machine more - Fluoroscopy procedure steps? e.g. shoulder arthograms. Like what equipment they use

Where are you guys at?

Update

Wow. Can't believe I havent wrote on this for months. I was overseas for 2 months before coming back to start work. After moving up here, i was so home sick for the first 2 weeks and having a lot of bad days at work because I was still getting used to everything. But 2 months on... Work has been great. I'm really enjoying it. I'm having more good days than bad. It's also a plus that I'm getting paid for it. I actually really feel for those who have to work for free during the internship year. I'm also studying a sonography course part time long distance. I thought I was ambitious doing 2 units per sem but that turned out to be really hard so I had to drop it down to one unit per sem. Can't believe it's April tomorrow. That marks me being here for 2 months. This year is going to fly. Exactly like last year. :))

YAY!!!!!!!!!!!

I HAVE FINISHED MY LAST EXAM EVER!!!!!!!!!

!!!!!!!!!!!!

The past 2 days of exams have been ridiculous. Like they were so.... informal. There were so many mistakes in the exams. The supervisors had to come in and out telling us that some questions were excluded or words were changed.

Everyone cheered when we were told “pens down” today.

WHAT A DAY

I accepted the job!

Very late post but i decided to friggen YOLO.

It’ll be a good experience and i get to move out for a long time.

Sydney will always be here and will always be booming. I dont even like sydney that much lol besides its convenience

Im going on holidays for 2 months soon then coming back then moving out then starting soon after!

the first of my last exams start tomorrow

OH AND HAPPY RADIOGRAPHY DAY EVERYONE!

wow i’ve never been so torn in my life.

For the past few days ive been deadset on accepting this job.

But... after REALLY thoroughly thinking i was like SHIT... im going to REALLY miss my family and i dont think im ready to make a move that big yet

Like i know HEAPS of people move overseas to find jobs and students who move so far away from home just to study but omg... i just have a feeling this may not be the best thing for me

I tried to picture myself there for a year but found it really hard to.

I contacted one of my supervisors back at my last placement. She was really easy to talk to. I asked her for some advice and she said that they currently need more staff because they’re really busy (they just changed over companies). So im going to call up my supervisor and have a chat

what am i doing?

am i being a friggen idiot

WHAT THE HELL AM I DOING.................

please help me

xraystandback

update

UM……………………. yea that phone interview that i had…… the one i thought i choked in…

THEY OFFERED ME A JOB??????????????????

Omg im flipping out!!!!!!!!

So here’s the situation.

PROS - new experience, new place. I’ve never been to this state before. I get to “work and travel” for 1 year. Coastal town –> better than desert rural lol - Independence - Hospital with a lot of modalities - Regional hospital so i get to learn things at my own pace/ask more questions - I wont get the same experience as an intern if I stayed where I am now. Because I’m really bored of my life right now and I have that feeling that I will not be “living” unless I move out of here - Better than going rural in my own state b/c if I did, there will be NOTHING to do CONS - Family and friends - Potentially expensive (relocating, car???, flights back and forth to visit). However i’ll be earning money so it shouldn’t make too much of a difference. Better than not getting paid! - Might miss out on job offers from states relatively closer to home. But can i get anybody’s opinion on… Whether i should ask them if it’ll be okay if I decline the offer if I find something closer to home within the next month (because im going on holidays next month and want to secure something then) How do I word it?? If you were in my position, what would you do? Would you just take this offer but dont mention looking for something closer to home or mention to them that you are still looking for something closer to home but will take the offer in the meanwhile?

UGH! I just dont know how to word it….

So 1) Just take the job 2) Take the job but mention to them you’re still looking for something else but you’re still devoted to the offer?????????????????

HELP!?

ashtherad

Firstly, congratulations! Secondly, I would take the job. As much as it is nice to get a job close to home it is difficult at the moment for graduates to get jobs. I think a quarter of my graduating year don’t have jobs and that’s only one university.

I wouldn’t mention that you are still considering other places - such if you don’t get another offer it doesn’t look so good.

Just breathe, I think most applications get a week to decide and if you are going to queensland there is even a relocation bonus 😄

xraystandback

Thanks for your response! Im in a bit of a glump tonight. I think it's cause I realised that I'll be alone for a year. Totally out of my comfort zone. Funny that! My job offer is actually in QLD. I think that will make it easier, esp since I considered how expensive renting will be! After reading your comment, it has grounded me. I need to stop being selfish and look at the bigger PIC. It is def getting harder to get a job and I have one right in my hands... I think it's cause I'm still kinda holding out on getting a job in Tasmania. I did one of my placements there and absolutely loved it. But another person in my year also wants to go down there and she said they may not even have graduate offers (shes has really strong connections with them). But I guess I can always back down there when I'm old and grey hey... Yea.. I think I should either say YES! Or No and def not mention that I'm considering other options since that will make it look like I'm just being selfish and treating them like a backup.... Yikes. This is hard. I thought finding a job was hard... This is emotionally draining! It's hit me hard

#ashtherad

update

UM......................... yea that phone interview that i had...... the one i thought i choked in...

THEY OFFERED ME A JOB??????????????????

Omg im flipping out!!!!!!!!

So here’s the situation.

PROS - new experience, new place. I’ve never been to this state before. I get to “work and travel” for 1 year. Coastal town --> better than desert rural lol - Independence - Hospital with a lot of modalities - Regional hospital so i get to learn things at my own pace/ask more questions - I wont get the same experience as an intern if I stayed where I am now. Because I’m really bored of my life right now and I have that feeling that I will not be “living” unless I move out of here - Better than going rural in my own state b/c if I did, there will be NOTHING to do CONS - Family and friends - Potentially expensive (relocating, car???, flights back and forth to visit). However i’ll be earning money so it shouldn’t make too much of a difference. Better than not getting paid! - Might miss out on job offers from states relatively closer to home. But can i get anybody’s opinion on... Whether i should ask them if it’ll be okay if I decline the offer if I find something closer to home within the next month (because im going on holidays next month and want to secure something then) How do I word it?? If you were in my position, what would you do? Would you just take this offer but dont mention looking for something closer to home or mention to them that you are still looking for something closer to home but will take the offer in the meanwhile?

UGH! I just dont know how to word it....

So 1) Just take the job 2) Take the job but mention to them you’re still looking for something else but you’re still devoted to the offer?????????????????

HELP!?

#moving #new job

elkasah-md

Confused about reading and commenting on X-rays Relax and follow the steps

dr-azie

My Professor makes us do this…..

ABCs

omg i think i choked for half of the interview

I talked way too fast and didnt even understand half the things i was saying

i just want to crawl into my bed and die atm

erratic-emedicine

Does my patient need an X-ray?

With ankle or foot injuries, the need for an X-ray can be determined by applying the Ottawa Ankle Rules.

The patient with foot/ankle pain needs an X-ray only if there is at least one of the following:

An inability to weight-bear both immediately after injury, and in emergency department

Bony tenderness at the posterior of the medial or lateral malleolus

Bony tenderness at the base of the 5th metatarsal

Bony tenderness over the navicular bone

NB - if swelling is too large to palpate, or the patient has diminished sensation, or is drunk, the rules do not apply

If none of these criteria are fulfilled, you can discharge your patient with advising RICE, and follow up in 5-7 days if no improvement. The Ottawa Ankle rules are accurate in predicting the absence of a fracture in 98.6% of cases - pretty good eh!

xraystandback

Very important. But unfortunately rads cant argue it when a freely walking patient comes in for an ankle x-ray.

fuckyeahnarcotics

A 25yo male presented in the emergency department with abdominal pain, at the time of presentation, the patient had stable vital parameters, on detailed history; the patient was on antidepressant treatment with poor compliance for the last 2 years for major depression and had attempted suicide earlier, to rule out any bowel injury, an X-ray of the abdomen was done, which revealed radio-opaque foreign bodies inside the abdomen

xraystandback

I once had a request for an abdo x-ray for a swallowed coke can ring. I thought it was a waste of radiation but… I guess sometimes it comes in use ay. You just don’t know when.