Fanny Igbinedion

Introduction: Newly certified radiographers often face various challenges when transitioning from academic training to professional practice. These challenges can affect their confidence, performance and overall professional development. This study focused on identifying the major difficulties encountered by newly certified radiographers in Benin City, as well as assessing their readiness for clinical practice. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the challenges encountered by newly certified radiographers and to assess their level of professional preparedness for independent clinical practice. Methodology: A prospective survey design was used. Data were collected from 51 newly certified radiographers working in public and private healthcare facilities in Benin City using a structured questionnaire. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the Chi-square test was used to determine the significance of the challenges identified. Results: Findings showed that most respondents experienced significant challenges during this early professional practice. The most reported issues included heavy workload (78.4%), stress and burnout (76.5%), and difficulty communicating with senior colleagues (66.7%). Although a majority (76.5%) demonstrated adequate knowledge of radiation protection, many felt less confident handling complex or emergency cases independently. The Chi-square test result (X2=201.73, p < 0.05), confirmed that these challenges were statistically significant. Conclusion: The study concluded that newly certified radiographers possess good theoretical and safety knowledge but face major challenges adapting to clinical realities. It recommends the implementation of structured mentorship, improved hands on clinical exposure, and continuous professional development programs to ease their transition into independent practice. Keywords: Newly certified radiographers, professional preparedness, workload, mentorship, clinical challenges.