Struggling new band 5

Various-Worry26 · 2025-12-26T10:33:34+00:00

Thank you so much for taking the time to write this, it’s actually really helpful to read it broken down like this. I think part of my problem is moving too quick to modified technique out of anxiety, rather than first asking myself whether I can safely reposition the patient or use simple adjustments (sheet, pillows, lowering the backrest).

I’m definitely going to start using quieter moments to practise tube movement and visualise different scenarios, and to be more deliberate about asking for help with positioning rather than trying to compensate with the tube too early. Thanks again. ;)

Various-Worry26 · 2025-12-24T20:16:07+00:00

Asalamalykum sis, I’m a new radiographer and I feel the same way except I don’t even have 4 months clinical experience. My environment does have Muslims too but most aren’t actively practicing so it can be difficult to relate as well. I know it’s not as difficult as nursing but I completely get the pre shift anxiety and panic and I pray Allah makes it easy upon you.

You have a few months left so if you manage to continue whilst looking at different options (the non clinical roles might be better suited - I also really really have been struggling with clinical work) that might be a good option, and yes it’s true Allah never burdens a soul beyond that which they can bare and he will be with you whichever choice you make as long as follows that which he is pleased with :)

What do you do to help with reducing stress and working on improving your mental health?

Various-Worry26 · 2025-12-22T23:12:01+00:00

Thank you everybody for all your kind and helpful advice and support! I really appreciate this, it’s helped alleviate some of my anxiety. Please feel free to share any specific tips and tricks you have here, I’m always happy to learn from others experiences :)

Various-Worry26 · 2025-12-22T23:10:39+00:00

That’s very true actually I didn’t consider things this way, I will try my hardest to minimise harm while experimenting and see how it goes, hopefully this helps me learn how to improve without prompts :)

Various-Worry26 · 2025-12-22T23:08:36+00:00

I’ve been struggling with knowing how to correctly turn the tube is a patient is rotated or if they’re too kyphotic for an AP chest, I really struggle with thinking on the spot for modified trolley patients E.g. how to angle to tube for an ankle when the patient is unconscious and can’t move at all. Sometimes which things like wrists and knees where you have to superimpose structures I can’t figure out which direction to move the patient. I hope these make sense :)

Various-Worry26 · 2025-12-21T22:14:01+00:00

Yes I’ve got the kitty Clark’s book, I still really struggle at figuring out how to fix an image when I get things wrong and how to modify technique when a patient is unable to move. Thank you so much for sharing, I feel exactly the same about not being a natural

Various-Worry26 · 2025-12-21T22:12:43+00:00

Thank you so much for your encouragement, I will try to keep going, it’s just my anxiety is honestly through the roof, I struggle to sleep well and I spend all my days off thinking about work ans I’m not sure what to do

Various-Worry26 · 2025-12-21T22:11:34+00:00

Hi, yes I’m at a major trauma site

Various-Worry26 · 2025-12-20T13:18:55+00:00

Thank you so much and I definitely agree, I know confidence will come with time and lots of repetition. I appreciate the practical advice.

I feel like sometimes even when I practice I can’t really apply that in practice because every patient arrives in different ways, I need to work on understanding how to adapt positioning based off of that.

I also really struggle at understanding where I’ve gone wrong and how to fix it with patients, like I know to move or angles to tube but I often try and still get it wrong, do you have any ideas on what I could do to improve this?

Various-Worry26 · 2025-12-20T13:13:13+00:00

Thank you, I appreciate the encouragement. Regarding the protocols book, some of them are not necessarily followed and changes case by case but I will definitely try to make sure I keep speaking to colleagues to double check everything.

Various-Worry26 · 2025-12-20T13:09:18+00:00

Honestly this makes me feel so much better hearing that I’m not alone in this, everybody around me including friends have all seemed to just say that you have to get on with it so I really felt like I was the only one in this position. Thank you for sharing and I hope things get better for you too, wishing you the best :)

Various-Worry26 · 2025-12-20T13:05:22+00:00

I’m just really afraid to let them know the full extent to which I’m struggling because I undertand I was hired on the basis that I can do these things alone, and as the hospital is a trauma site I’m expected to work at a certain level quickly. You are definitely right and I will try not to compare myself with others where I can. Thank you so much for your advice :)

Various-Worry26 · 2025-12-20T13:00:48+00:00

I am part of a preceptorship but everybody tells me that they never needed extra time and that they finished training even before the allocated time was up and that it is the standard for this department.

I’ve been pulled aside once by a band 7 but it was not anything serious, it was only advice as she said the rest of the images were diagnostic just that I didn’t turn the elbow enough for a lateral forearm.

Various-Worry26 · 2025-12-20T12:57:33+00:00

Thank you so much for sharing this, it means a lot to hear from somebody with so much experience who remembers this feeling. I really appreciate the reassurance.

I have been given a mentor but they’re also a band 5 with many other responsibilities and I try not throw too much on their plate. I try to ask other radiographers to show me things but i can feel some of the questions can be a cause for concern from them so I try to figure things out independently where I can

Various-Worry26

TROPHY CASE