What concerns did Celia have about completing her internship at her place of employment?

Question

Celia O’Neil, a 39-year-old baccalaureate social work student, was assigned to complete her internship in a nursing facility where she had been employed for the past 12 years and continued to work three days a week as the Activity Director. The social work director, Betty Williams, LSW, was Celia’s task supervisor but new to the nursing home setting. Therefore, Sally Jones, LCSW, served as Celica’s preceptor. Celia’s client, Mr. Brown, was a 47-year-old man admitted to the nursing home in June 2001 with numerous psychosocial needs. Celia was frustrated by what she interpreted as Betty’s lack of effort to assist Mr. Brown. She began to wonder whether her supervisor cared about the client, and she found the nursing staff uncaring and non-supportive. In addition, the nursing staff made rude comments about Mr. Brown right in front of him, which upset Celia a great deal. She felt the comments were abusive and she wondered how to advocate for Mr. Brown.

Answer 1

One concern Celia had about completing her internship at her place of employment was her dual roles as activity director and social work intern. As a paid employee she had a responsibility to the facility. Celia might be called upon during hours of internship to attend to a concern in the activities department that was not a part of her internship task. She would need to be clear about her boundaries. She expressed this when she talked to herself about which “hat” she was wearing.
Another concern Celia had was how other staff perceived her. It was important to her that the staff members respect her as a staff member, take her seriously, and welcome her contributions as a social work intern.
In addition, it seemed important to Celia to successfully complete her internship in a professional manner. She felt a strong need to be on her “best behavior” and be professional; thus, it seems she may sometimes be holding back comments or opinions that she might have shared if she were Activity Director only. While she often responds confidently with “I can do that!” some behavior reflects limited confidence in her new role.