S ince its establishment in 2008, Parkway College of Nursing and Health (Parkway College) has developed hundreds of aspiring healthcare professionals for the future of healthcare - through its partnership with the University of Hertfordshire, UK for a well-recognised international degree and unique learning experience. High demand for healthcare professionals in Singapore and overseas has provided excellent career prospects for the healthcare industry, seeing many talented individuals pursue higher education in the field of diagnostic radiography.

Second and third-year Educational Sponsorship Award holders for Bachelor of Science (Honours) Diagnostic Radiography and Imaging, Hung Jing Xiang and Mignon Sim Ru, paint a picture for us of their inspiration for joining Parkway College and how the institution is helping them in their journey towards becoming a diagnostic radiographer.

An Early Start

Little did Jing Xiang know that his first X-ray on a broken ankle as a child would ignite his early interest in radiography. He recalls, “I remembered being in great pain and feeling scared for my first experience of an X-ray examination. However, once I entered the X-ray room, the radiographer’s warm and friendly demeanour helped to alleviate my anxiety. I was also fascinated by how a machine could so easily see the insides of my body!”

Hung Jing Xiang
Sponsorship by ParkwayHealth Radiology
Student
Bachelor of Science (Hons) Diagnostic
Radiography and Imaging

When the time came for Jing Xiang to choose his career path after his GCE ‘A’ levels, this interest, together with a desire to pursue a meaningful career and fascination by hi-tech machinery, led him to radiography. It was the offer of a globally recognised, off-shore degree with Honours programme from the University of Hertfordshire, amongst other factors, that assured Jing Xiang of a well-rounded education at Parkway College.

Like Jing Xiang, Mignon’s interest in the field started since young, where she made frequent visits to her primary school’s dentist for the setting. Says Mignon, “The energy and the roles of healthcare workers – I love every part of it and have always been curious about it. Therefore, I yearned to work in the healthcare industry.”

On top of the reasons cited by Jing Xiang, Mignon was reassured by Parkway College’s affiliation with healthcare giant Parkway Pantai, that further incentivised her to pursue a degree at Parkway College.

Unique Hands-on Opportunities

The rigorous and hands-on structure of the degree’s curriculum allows students to expand their skills and expertise beyond the classroom through frequent clinical placements. To Jing Xiang, these placements strongly equip students for the real life in various ways. Jing Xiang explains, “These clinical placements are ideal platforms for us to step out of our comfort zones and hone our interpersonal and technical skills through interaction and practice.” More importantly, these placements also prepare students to be “competent and work-ready” upon graduation.

In addition, students in their second year are given the option of choosing any hospital in any country to do their elective clinical placement. Mignon chose to do her clinical placement in Sheffield, UK, and was an eye-opening experience for her as she was able to practice in and experience an entirely different work culture and environment. “The practice further inspired me to adapt and incorporate good practice into my existing work tactics, improving my skills and efficiency,” she muses.

Mignon Sim Ru
Sponsorship by ParkwayHealth Radiology
Student
Bachelor of Science (Hons) Diagnostic
Radiography and Imaging

Shaping Modern Healthcare

With the advancement of modern medical technology as well as the increasing challenge in catering to the healthcare needs of an ageing population, it is critical that young healthcare professionals are at the top of their game as they hold the weight of the evolving healthcare landscape. “As the future backbone of the healthcare industry, young healthcare professionals are bursting with energy and always ready to accept new challenges. Our hunger for knowledge, research and development in healthcare nurtured by the rigorous and up-to-date curriculum will definitely bear fruit in due time,” says Jing Xiang. Mignon agrees, adding, “The curriculum emphasises on evidence-based practice and continuing professional development allowing us to incorporate new guidelines and protocols to manage complicated pathologies and health problems in an accurate and effective manner.”

Overall, both Jing Xiang and Mignon believe their education at Parkway College has provided and will continue to equip them with the confidence, skills and ability to aspire towards their dream career in the industry. Jing Xiang believes the opportunities to be involved in job shadowing at various hospital radiology departments, an updated clinical portfolio and other key activities would give students a leg up the ladder in their career search.