Sarah Vece has just qualified from her BSc in Medical Imaging at Exeter after having a baby in the third year, one of her eight children. Here she shares her experiences as a mature student juggling studies and family life.
What practical support helped you through your course?
I received advice from both my university tutors and radiographers on placement. The tips I found useful were to make the best use of my time whilst on campus. My kids were either at school or with their childminder so between lectures I could study in the library.
During my clinical placements the radiographers and support staff were really helpful, recommending books and journals for reference. When I was pregnant they were supportive and helped with things like manual handling of patients and equipment.
What would you advise other students facing personal challenges?
I have always faced life head on: During this course I have had a baby, lost my nan, arranged a funeral and had my husband in hospital with kidney stones – all in the third year.
Whatever problems you might have, share them. I found my second year the most difficult but kept going as I knew the end result was worth it.
How do you cope balancing a career and bringing up eight children?
An amazing husband and brilliant childminder, and being able to organise chaos!
What has been the hardest hurdle to overcome?
Driving to Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton, for my third year placement. I was 36 weeks pregnant when I started it, had seven weeks off to have my baby, then I went back when Stevie was four weeks old.
I found the drive really tiring but the placement was worth it as the radiology staff there are brilliant. They were really supportive, encouraging and willing to share their knowledge. I was treated like a member of staff rather than a student.
What kept you going?
Knowing that I was going to get a degree that would get me a well paid job that I would enjoy.
It was really hard work studying and raising a family. I missed my kids when I was on placement, I couldn't take them to school and was so tired when I got home that I just wanted to drop on the sofa and sleep.
Radiography as a career is worth it though, there are so many opportunities out there, I'm newly qualified and going straight into mammography. Three years ago, if some one had told me I would pass and get the job I really wanted I would have laughed at them.
What are you looking forward to most about your new job?
I was really shocked when I got offered the chance to work at the North & East Devon Breast Screening Unit in Exeter, which is run by InHealth for the NHS. I have accepted the post and will start training in mammography in September. I am glad that I haven't had to move for a job, my kids are really pleased.
Do you think any of your children will follow in your footsteps to
become radiographers?
Not my sons (seven of them) but maybe my daughter, who is 5, she tells all her friends that mummy takes xrays and she can name quite a few bones!
My boys all like science. The oldest ones, my twins, are hoping to study forensic science at college next year.
I would like to thank all the radiography staff at exeter university for supporting me and my placement sites at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital and Musgrove Park for sharing their skills which helped me pass my practical assessments.
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