Hearing the experiences of social workers in the different settings during the Social Work Freshmen Orientation Camp did not help to broaden my perspectives either. It was only during the 2 agency visits, where I was able to see the social workers at work at the various settings with my own eyes, that I was finally able understand what Gurdip Chima meant in the book Becoming a Social Worker, when she referred to herself as “a partner, negotiator, …show more content…
Being in a setting such as a hospice, where social workers have to deal with the taboo issue of death every time they step into the office, social workers have to be both mentally and emotionally tough. I feel that amongst the different settings where medical social workers can be found, being in a hospice has to be the toughest. Knowing that all of your clients would have to “leave” one day, and knowing that all you’re helping to do is help them to enjoy their remaining days would definitely tug on the humane instinct that probably led social workers to pursue this profession in the first place. I really respect the social workers at hospices as I know that I would surely lack the inner strength to deal and help the clients’ family deal with such emotional turmoil on a long-term