Radiography in UCD

Stephen REA37G

Hi All,

I'm interested in applying for Radiography after LC this year.

Can anyone tell me what the course is like and if it is worth doing?

Thanks,
Stephen

dajaffa

Well I'm doing physio (Stepherunie is our resident radiographer but she's on a J1er so it might be a while til she replies) but from my friends in Radiography it seems to be a great course. In first year you don't do a huge amount of radiography specific stuff, there's lots of anatomy, physics etc which is mostly done with the physios + meds etc.

It is a pretty tough course at times, as far as I know they teach you a bit more than you "need" to know, but it really gives you a great grounding in your feel and is a definite benefit to you when you graduate. Oh and you can basically work anywhere in the world you fancy cause there's a shortage prety much everywhere!

ant043

Just finished first year there in may
I found the course really enjoyable. First semester was probably a bit harder than second because we had to do physiology. There is alot of physics modules in second semester so if you did physics for leaving it will be a breeze.
We only had a one week clinical placement in a hospital which i found annoying but in second and third year you do a lot.
Because it is a small group (around 40) you get to make a lot of good friends and there is a great atmosphere among people. Job prospects are really good as well
Cant think of much more to say. If you have any other questions about course pm me no hassle

Stephen REA37G

Thanks for the replies guys.
I'm going to do a weeks work experience in our local Radiology department which well give me a good idea of what the job is like.

Stepherunie

Howdo!

Going into my final year of radiography this year (scary muchness may I add) and to be honest I think it's a great course. As Ant said they're small classes, the average being about 40 so by the time you hit your final year they basically are family, especially if like me you end up placed with teh same people for a couple of years running. At the same time dont' worry that you'll get stuck with a small group, I got involved in the Arcaelogy society in first year, which I still go to events with and because people live with people from other courses you'd be amazed how many people you know from them (our class in particular know loads of engs for some reason).

As others have said the course is more general in first year specialising more and more as you get closer to graduating. As much as that is frustrating it really does make sense, without the knowledge you get from doing all that groundwork you'd be a lot more out of it in later years.

In third year you get an opportunity to go on Erasmus and I have to say it's an amazing experience, I did it and totally loved it and even those who didn't loved having other students over with them studying.

On the point that we're over qualified: yes it's true, we study most subjects in far more detail than we need for and undergraduate degree in Radiography, but in saying that having spoken to a lot of radiographers about this, both UCD graduates and English Graduates most felt that the UCD graduates were more prepared for when they took on Masters in specialist areas.

The lecturers are all really friendly and approachable, I'm pretty much on first name terms with all of them, as are most of my class. I've never felt I couldn't ask stupid questions of any of my lecturers or go up to there office and ask them to explain something again to me.



The school has seen a lot of changes over the past few years, even since I started, we now have some of the most modern facilities for teaching students in the world and we have links with a lot of hospitals for placements, you don't just do Dublin placements, people are placed nationally which can be both a blessing and a curse.

The school has had, over the past few years a bad rep for student consultation but this has steadily improved, there was a bit shake up this year with the heads of the school and it was a massive change, personally i've found the school to be way more student orientated that they had previously been and they're really willing to take on students suggestions and concerns on board.

It really is a great idea to go into a department like you said you're about to do. Radiography is a unique career and it is that type of thing that you will either love or hate. Of the people who joined my class without ever being in a dept I think only one of them is still in my class now.

If youire thinking about radiography there's a few things to bear in mind:

You can't be squemish, we work in A&E so we see all major traumas, you can opt out of doing coronor cases but you will see blood and guts and wires.

It can be mentally demanding, dealing with patients can be tough, I've gone home and cried after days at working where I"ve been in the ICU or had an elderly patient in to me.

This isn't a nine to five job, radiographers are on call 24/7 365 days a year and you really can't opt out of on call, especially in the public health service.

Hope all that helps,

Pm me if you like.

Steph

Stephen REA37G

Hi Steph,

Thanks for the detailed reply, I've nearly made up my mind now so hopefully next week I will spend a few days in our radiology dept. that will help to.

It's good to hear that about the school and the lecturers, I would prefer to be in a course where you can get to know and be able to approach the lectures like that for help.

As for squeamishness, I've spent a good while working in A&E this summer as well as ICU and other areas of out hospital so I think I can handle that bit.:)

Thanks again for your reply.

delija_sever029

Hey lads

I am definitely collecting infos before I decide where and how to apply for a job and I need all the help you can provide me when it gets about Ireland
If I am right,first step to verificate my Serbian 3 years degree for radiographer is here
http://www.iirrt.ie/index.php?option=com_c...=3&Itemid=7
But if I fill out all those papers and send them what are my real chances or possibilities to get a chance to work there or to get a job at first.Lately my mates are applying for Norway coz its to easy to get the papers but I want to clear out the situation about Ireland before I start thinking about other options

Thanks in advance for any help