Written by Jess Phegan
Hey there, my name is Jess, and I just finished my third year studying medical radiation science (specialising in diagnostic radiography). My course includes a large number of placements, and I remember feeling very nervous and unprepared before starting my first placement block.
Here are some things I did to prepare for my first workplace learning (WIL) experience, which was far away from my home.
Make a Cheat Sheet:
The first thing I did to prepare for this placement was review my study notes and make a sort of cheat sheet that I could refer to while on placement. As this was my first placement, I hadn’t yet become confident with my positioning techniques for certain views. By making a table including the view, how to position the patient for the view, if a grid/bucky was to be used, FRD, and an image critique, I had something to refer to without needing to go onto my computer and re-read my notes.
Write a Checklist:
I also found it quite overwhelming going to placement with a big list of requirements from the university and many different things that needed to be signed off or marked in order to satisfactorily complete the subject. I found the best way to wrap my head around all these requirements was to simply make a checklist in a notebook. This is a technique that I still use while on placement, as it helps me ensure that everything required is marked off. I also think it is a better look as a student to be checking things off on a notebook, rather than being on a phone or computer.
Set Your Goals:
Setting goals was another technique I used to prepare for placement, and it is a technique that is encouraged by the university. At each of my placements, I set certain goals regarding my REA achievements. This helped me complete as many as I could to take the pressure off my 3B placement when all the REAs are due.
Make Time For You:
Finally, one last tip I would recommend to students doing a placement far from family and friends is to plan something that will make you happy on the weekends. For me, this included going to the beach, driving to a nearby town, tourist activities, and exploring Cairns in general. This really got me through the more difficult days of placement.
So yeah, placement can feel overwhelming, and it is completely normal to feel nervous before starting it; however, there are things you can do to make it less daunting and ensure that it is a prepared and positive experience. You’ve got this!
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