The student experience

As we look to the future of sonography, it is important to reflect on the current educational system and ensure the transition from university to the workplace is seamless. There is no better cohort to speak on the student experience than current sonography students and recent graduates.

Jaimie Feeney and Leah Gordan have unique perspectives on their experience with clinical placement and the transition from being a student to a fully qualified sonographer. Being either amid or have recently completed their studies, the advice they would give to current and aspiring sonography students is most valuable.

Jaimie Feeney

Graduate Diploma Medical Ultrasound/Sonography (Vascular) Student | Western Sydney University

Jaimie Feeney is a current student in the final year of her Diploma of Vascular Sonography at Western Sydney University. Through her work, Jaimie sees a wide range of vascular pathology referred from specialists, including vascular surgeons, orthopaedic surgeons, phlebologists, emergency departments and GPs. She originally started her career in radiography where she worked in several locations such as tertiary hospitals, emergency departments, breast imaging and computed tomography.

What drew you to study sonography?

After developing an interest in physics during high school, I was drawn to sonography due to the autonomy and responsibility of the role. During my career as a radiographer, I developed an interest in vascular pathology through experiences such as vascular imaging in the operating theatre at a tertiary hospital with vast trauma cases, as well as interesting pathologies seen throughout my years working on both trauma and outpatient CT examinations. I was looking for a new challenge when a traineeship position was advertised at my workplace and I was fortunate enough to be the successful applicant.

Have you completed clinical placements? Does the training and work you experience on these placements complement what is being covered in your classes?

My training is through an ongoing workplace traineeship rather than set clinical placements. This traineeship has absolutely complemented what is being covered in my university content. I am very fortunate to have several knowledgeable tutors who each have their own special interests and strengths. This assists in combining the theoretical side of university with the practical side of my scanning. Our tech meetings (where cases are reviewed and discussed with our vascular surgeons) shed light on the understanding of why and how we do our examinations. To add to this, the variety of pathology I have experienced from working in a regional setting has certainly cemented the learnt knowledge. Working alongside general sonographers in the same workplace has also enhanced my skills and knowledge from their own specialised experience.

The variety of pathology I have experienced from working in a regional setting has certainly cemented the learnt knowledge.

What area of your studies would you like to have more of a focus on?

Paediatrics would be amazing to learn more about. Unfortunately, this is quite a specialised field in vascular ultrasound as most of our patients are from an older demographic. From what I have heard when talking to other sonographers, it seems that there are different elements that need to be considered when undertaking a paediatric examination.

Are there any extra resources that you use to further your education outside your coursework? What are they and how are they assisting with your development? e.g. listen to podcasts, attend events, read about new research, etc.

I have found the sonography industry to be one that is eager to learn from others from different workplaces, which is fantastic. I have been lucky to have access to a great network of people, not only from my supportive and knowledgeable work colleagues, but also from the Western Sydney University team. The lecturers and support staff from WSU have been outstanding, not only from a knowledge perspective but also from a supportive and personal aspect. Everyone has been incredibly approachable, and it is obvious how passionate they are about education. The other students in my year have been an invaluable source of knowledge and support, especially given that each of us is at workplaces that have their own specialised interests and techniques. Networking through events such as the ASA’s Student and Early Career Working Group, Special Interest Group Days and seminars have been an important tool for me to extend and challenge my knowledge and opinions.

Leah Gordon

Clinical Sonographer | Lumus Imaging, Brisbane

Leah is a general sonographer currently working for Lumus Imaging across several sites in Brisbane, Queensland. She graduated from Central Queensland University at the end of 2022 and is working clinically full-time. Leah was awarded the Clinical Excellence Award from the ASA for her studies in 2022 and has a passion to encourage students to make the most of their studies.

How did you find the transition from student to fully qualified sonographer?

The transition from student to sonographer is an incredibly exciting yet also a daunting stage of your career. Nothing feels as exhilarating as sending away your first abdominal scan without grabbing a senior to check. As students, we are sheltered by our seniors, which gives us a comfortable sense of security.

Once this safety net is pulled back we can feel a bit out of our depth. When encountering those tricky and complex cases, I found that as a student, it was my first reaction to let my seniors take the wheel. Upon reflection, this is the perfect time to do the complete opposite and to have some faith in your abilities. Take on these daunting cases and give them your best crack before resorting to a helping hand. Throwing yourself in the deep end as a student will allow you to advance your critical thinking skills and you’ll most likely handle these situations better once solo! Personally, I have felt comfortable and supported during my transition. When I feel like a case is out of my skill set, I’ll often reach out to some fellow colleagues who will happily lend their thoughts. The transition experience depends heavily on your attitude towards your own abilities and your learning. Being able to self-reflect on your skills while taking the time to research and build your confidence will make all the difference in this phase.

Do you feel your education/degree adequately prepared you for the workforce?

Yes, I personally felt that I had been well equipped with the knowledge, patient care, and scanning experience to prepare me for the leap into clinical life. I completed my studies through the undergraduate program offered at Central Queensland University, Brisbane. Studying was an enjoyable time for me; I loved the challenge of learning the ‘ins and outs’ of the human body while also providing patients with the best clinical outcomes. When it comes to your education, you get out of it what you put into it.

Undergraduate students gain experience in a laboratory environment from the second year, with their first scanning experiences performed on each other under supervision. The laboratory classes introduced an element of confidence, which also removed some of the pressure when scanning for the first time in the workplace. University written examinations also challenged our ability to explain detailed sonographic findings, which is crucial to writing a thorough worksheet. The majority of university tutors also worked clinically and were able to provide insight to shape our expectations of the workplace. This included tips on how to interact with our radiologists and what a typical day in the clinic might look like.

Take on these daunting cases and give them your best crack before resorting to a helping hand.

How did you deal with the challenges of being on placement while studying?

As exciting as placement is, it really is a juggle to keep on top of things. Both post and undergraduate students face the same challenge of making the most of their placement and staying afloat with assignments and study. I can personally empathise and relate to students currently in this position. I don’t think anyone has it all worked out. I wish I could tell you that it is possible to maintain both a busy social life and top grades while working full-time for clinical experience. At times you will feel on top of it all but you’re also not alone in feeling overwhelmed.

I found it helpful to review my semester prior to placement, along with scheduling my goals and due dates for upcoming assignments. It’s also a bonus if you can prepare or even begin your assessments early. I promise you will thank yourself later! I was fortunate to have had experience in the medical field prior to my placements, therefore my time management skills were quite well practised. For those who haven’t had opportunities to practise this, I encourage you to plan your weeks in a calendar/ diary, as it’s super easy to miss a due date among the growing lists of looming assessments. I also want to stress the importance of keeping a balance between your social and study life. After all, you won’t do your best work until you take care of your wellbeing too!

What advice would you give aspiring sonographers and current students?

Being a student is a tricky time; it’s not easy to constantly take in and act on feedback. But the most important advice I could give is to remain open-minded to different techniques and protocols for scanning. I have lived through the days of changing your protocols or altering your worksheet to suit your supervisors’ preferences, so I understand this is easier said than done!

I also encourage you to try some different methods of retaining information to determine what works best for you. Otherwise, you’re sure to forget some tips and facts thrown at you during the day.

Once qualified, it can be difficult to take on new exams or update your skills with supervision. So, I encourage all of you to take on new challenges and use this time to broaden your skill set and to build confidence in your abilities. Make the absolute most of every clinical day because no one is lying when they tell you the placement days fly by! My final piece of advice is to enjoy your studies.

I know first-hand that studying can be a stressful time in your life, but you will make lifelong relationships with both your classmates and your tutors. I look back fondly on my university memories and still catch up and even share cases with my old classmates. Learn and laugh at your mistakes, and don’t take negative feedback or criticism to heart, but rather be grateful that some experts are taking part in shaping your career.•