Monday, August 18, 2014

Back to the mat

Made it back to the hot room yesterday.

I go back to work today, but I still need to somehow stay motivated to keep a 3-day-a-week practice.

That's only 2 week nights and one weekend day....or 2 weekend days and one weeknight.

Shouldn't be THAT hard to accomplish.....

Have a good work week everyone and wish me luck with my "talk" this AM, as well as just getting back into the grind.....

Ahhhh, social work.......

Sunday, August 17, 2014

Termination station

I've been reflecting a great deal on the importance of my role as a gate keeper for our future colleagues.

While I've only worked with a handful of students so far, I've definitely learned quickly that there are warning signs that our field is not for everyone.

The latest student I've been given, I was told by the school initially that they were young, new to the field and pretty needy which lead to some problems in their first placement with a challenging, complex population, and limited supervisor availability. The school thought a different population and on-site field instructor would help.  Clearly though, it goes way beyond that.

They were okay week #1, and explained lots of issues with the staff and peers in their first placement.  I gave them the benefit of the doubt because I have been in troubling environments like that AS a social worker.

However, by week #2 some serious issues began to show up.

The student began having problems interacting with the patients....their tone was quite punitive in nature.  They had a hard time with assisting in even most basic tasks, became overwhelmed and would leave the practice area in a temper-tantrum.  Soon, they had trouble interacting with other team members and students....to the point I received complaints that they were "rude" and again reacted by leaving the room if not allowed full control over a session (an area they struggled with to begin with so thus, needed the assistance).

I brought all these things up in supervision, where the student disclosed some issues I had already picked up on that require the help of many different helping professionals. They promised they would seek help....even asked for referrals. 

They continued however to show limited insight about their ability to work independently as a social worker......

I gave them many concrete examples of what a cruel, harsh world it is for us, even with a great deal of support. While they SAID they understood that, their ability to follow through on simple tasks, and improve on areas discussed proved otherwise.

A conversation was had at this point with the school and it was then divulged that these were the same struggles previously reported.

I understand that the school had to give the student another opportunity but it still puts me in an awkward position.

There was more of the same while I was out on vacation this week, to the point that the student was asked to leave the agency.

I now have to meet with them to address this, as well as write an evaluation that I, a person who utilizes the strengths-based model daily, is challenged in finding even one good thing to write about their ability to work in the field.

This is upsetting, because I would love to see everyone succeed.  Our field requires it.  We NEED more social workers....BUT.......there are too many people who are passed along who don't deserve, nor have any ability to work with people in need.  Our field is already filled with many of them.....it's also not fair to set a person up this way either....make them continue to spend money on schooling and then put them in a position where either they are never going to find work, or be fired from work.

Being a field instructor is hard......but like becoming a social worker, I have no regrets.

I'm still looking forward to my next batch of students starting in September :).

I have learned with every single student I've had and know I will continue to improve myself both as a field instructor and a social worker along the way. 

Saturday, August 16, 2014

Haven't been in the mood

to attend my hot yoga.

The last time I went was on 8/3 so yesterday I was determined to finally go back.

And I'm glad I did.

I had a pretty decent class and my mind for the most part was focused and clear. I made it through all the postures without sitting out one time which is a rarity for me.

I've been on a staycation from work this week so maybe that's why.....less stress LOL.

Monday is not going to be a fun day back to work...some shit hit the fan with my current student and I'm going to have to officially dismiss them.

I know this is not going to be a nice conversation because they already received one warning.

But I am a gatekeeper and this is definitely not someone I can picture as my colleague a year from now, so the discussion needs to be had.

The school will handle the rest.....

Any fun plans this weekend guys?

I'm taking my son to see the Marvel live show later today; tomorrow yoga....

Sunday, August 3, 2014