My New Journey

A big hello to all my old followers, and to those who are reading this for the first time. It has been a very interesting couple of months and I'm pleased to say I am now back will be posting more regularly. Before I begin to explain everything that has happened, as my little intro on the right hand side suggests, my new blog will pick up from the time I left university, so if you wish to read my blog entry on leaving nursing, you can find it here; Leaving Nursing: The Final Word and for those interested in reading my old nursing blogs, you can find those here; Old Nursing Entries.

So, there I was, I remember being at home that day I left looking at myself in the mirror, and the man staring back at me was, for intents and purposes, a university dropout. I had so many mixed emotions at that point; I felt good about myself for doing what I did, but I also felt annoyed at myself. I always thought I would never be one of those people to drop out, I had been given such an amazing opportunity and had worked so hard to get into what I thought at the time was my dream profession. It is a very tough realisation when no matter how hard you put your mind to it, the very thing you thought you were committed to and passionate about, wasn't your passion at all. I just felt it, and instinct told me to leave. I have always trusted my instincts and now, months later, I knew it was the right thing. So once I left, I had to really dig deep and try and find what it was I was looking for. I knew one thing for certain I wanted to explore in more depth; radiography. I really had to do more research and think hard as to whether this could be a lifelong career. Well, I have a love for anatomy and physiology, I knew I still wanted to work in health and with the human body in some way. I then started to think about other interests; I'm a technology enthusiast, I consider myself to be good with it and am a faster learner when using it. I also have an interest in physics, not a huge interest, but the inquisitive mind in me looks to physics to explain how certain things happen when I don't quite understand. Radiology deals with all these three things, now I know radiology is more complicated but if I had an interest in these 3 areas then surely it's a good sign that this could be something I could do. Once I realised this, I needed to be sure by somehow observing what radiographers did and ask questions about the role...

As my previous blog told you, on the 9th April I began work experience in a radiology department at my local hospital, and I absolutely loved it. During the day I got to shadow various radiographers and was able to spend time in X-ray, MRI, CT and Ultrasound. It all confirmed to me that radiography is definitely the most suited role for me, and I will now most definitely be applying to do a Diagnostic Radiography degree. Even though I found nursing wasn't for me and left, I don't regret a thing about it. Nursing is an amazing profession and I was very lucky to be mentored by some great nurses, and I learned so much that I will take with me for the rest of my working life, such as knowledge that will be very valuable to me as a radiography student.

So right now it is just a waiting game until I can begin the process of applying for Diagnostic Radiography for the September 2014 intake. I have my work experience form completed, as the university requires evidence that I have had work experience with a radiographer, and my personal statement is complete. Now I just need to find something to do in the meantime.

I hope you are all well, and to my nursing student friends, I hope uni is still going well for you.

Take care

Leaving Nursing: The Final Word

I'm sad to say that my nursing journey has come to an end... I came to the realisation that nursing wasn't for me and I wasn't putting my all in to it. As hard as it was to make the decision to leave, I can't force myself into a career in which I'm not 100% dedicated to. I honestly thought nursing was for me. I didn't apply for the course on a whim, I worked for 4 years as a HCA and worked with numerous nurses and truly thought it would be the ideal career for me. I guess you just don't know how it's going to be until you're finally there.

As I have already told others, my decision to leave was never based on any bad experiences or anything like that. My placement was amazing and I have learnt things from exceptional mentors that I will keep with me for a long time, and the university I was at is incredible. Any student would be lucky to be there. I loved it, so much so, I fully intend to go back on another course.

So, where do I go from here? Well, whilst on placement I got to visit the radiology department and I was completely fascinated by it. I am really into anatomy and physiology and I know I still want a career in which I can still use that knowledge and learn even more, so diagnostic radiography seems a strong possibility. I have work experience arranged for Tues 9th April to shadow a radiographer which I'm really looking forward to, and if indeed it is something that I end up enjoying I will apply to do a Diagnostic Radiography degree in 2014.

I know a lot of people I have already told about my leaving are shocked, it wasn't easy for me, and no one can say I didn't go into it with every confidence and enthusiasm. Previous blogs can account for that. It would have been unfair of me to carry on for the sake of it, I've heard of many people going into nursing for the sole reason that their course is paid for by the NHS and they get a job at the end of it, that isn't the kind of person I am. There's no point me going through the course halfhearted, I wouldn't be any use to anyone. I've always trusted my instincts, it has now been nearly 6 weeks since I left and I don't regret it at all. I know I did the right thing and I'm now looking forward to my new journey. I may even start a blog for that when the time comes.

If anyone has any questions or would like to say anything, please leave comments below.

Thank you to everyone who has supported me since I started this journey with the Access course in 2011, up to now. Your support has meant a great deal.

All the best. =)