Field Work - Problems
Friday, October 3, 2008 by The Traveler
I'm extremely frustrated right now. I'm in my 7th week of field and I feel torn in two directions - do I play it safe, put blinders on, and make it to graduation next May or do I stand up for what I believe in, not be taken advantage of, but possibly lose a lot of internship hours and my current placement, and risk not graduating in May.
I'm so frustrated and tired of living with constant knots in my stomach directly related to the circumstances of my field placement. It is taking everything I have each morning to get up and go in to my field placement. I'm beginning to seriously doubt this is what I want to do - but every other part of my being screams at me - YES, you want to be a social worker, there has to be a solution!
Here's a copy of the letter I sent via email Thursday, 10/02/08, to my Faculty Liaison at my university (in addition to two voicemails). I've still not heard a response from my liaison, so I will try again for the forth time on Monday to reach them or someone else in the university.
Problem 1) When I interviewed for my field placement, received orientation, and program orientation, I was not told that transporting clients in my personal vehicle would be a required job function. It was mentioned several times, during the before mentioned interactions, that a need may occasionally arise, where I may need to transport a client, but those would be very infrequent.
However, since the second week of my field placement, I have been asked repeatedly by various people in the agency, to drive (and have driven) clients numerous times. I have been actively trying to find a solution to this problem, however, nothing is working. I brought up my concern in my field class and the professor and students had several suggestions which I have tried (such as politely declining, informing my supervisor, etc.).
However, nothing has changed or improved. Now this week my supervisor assigned me my first case, where in order for me to assist the client, I will need to drive the client and a minor child to various appointments.
I'm extremely frustrated right now. Had it been made clear from the beginning, at my first interview with the agency, that driving clients in my own vehicle was common practice and would be required, not optional, I would not have taken the placement.
1) I cannot afford the additional insurance coverage to adequately protect me and my passengers should something untoward happen while driving;
2) I only have 1 working vehicle for my family to use right now;
3) I have limited funds to cover fuel, vehicle maintenance, and insurance for my family (I am the sole supporter of 5 people as well as a full-time
student) and doing the additional driving is financially impacting my family;
and 4) I have strong reservations and concerns about my own personal safety.
Problem 2) I was informed Wednesday that my agency supervisor is leaving and her last day is tomorrow, October 3, 2008. With my supervisor leaving, I am at a loss of what to do in general, much less with my driving concerns.
I'll post more when I know more, but I'm tired of this stress and frustration.
I'm so frustrated and tired of living with constant knots in my stomach directly related to the circumstances of my field placement. It is taking everything I have each morning to get up and go in to my field placement. I'm beginning to seriously doubt this is what I want to do - but every other part of my being screams at me - YES, you want to be a social worker, there has to be a solution!
Here's a copy of the letter I sent via email Thursday, 10/02/08, to my Faculty Liaison at my university (in addition to two voicemails). I've still not heard a response from my liaison, so I will try again for the forth time on Monday to reach them or someone else in the university.
Problem 1) When I interviewed for my field placement, received orientation, and program orientation, I was not told that transporting clients in my personal vehicle would be a required job function. It was mentioned several times, during the before mentioned interactions, that a need may occasionally arise, where I may need to transport a client, but those would be very infrequent.
However, since the second week of my field placement, I have been asked repeatedly by various people in the agency, to drive (and have driven) clients numerous times. I have been actively trying to find a solution to this problem, however, nothing is working. I brought up my concern in my field class and the professor and students had several suggestions which I have tried (such as politely declining, informing my supervisor, etc.).
However, nothing has changed or improved. Now this week my supervisor assigned me my first case, where in order for me to assist the client, I will need to drive the client and a minor child to various appointments.
I'm extremely frustrated right now. Had it been made clear from the beginning, at my first interview with the agency, that driving clients in my own vehicle was common practice and would be required, not optional, I would not have taken the placement.
1) I cannot afford the additional insurance coverage to adequately protect me and my passengers should something untoward happen while driving;
2) I only have 1 working vehicle for my family to use right now;
3) I have limited funds to cover fuel, vehicle maintenance, and insurance for my family (I am the sole supporter of 5 people as well as a full-time
student) and doing the additional driving is financially impacting my family;
and 4) I have strong reservations and concerns about my own personal safety.
Problem 2) I was informed Wednesday that my agency supervisor is leaving and her last day is tomorrow, October 3, 2008. With my supervisor leaving, I am at a loss of what to do in general, much less with my driving concerns.
I'll post more when I know more, but I'm tired of this stress and frustration.
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