- Joined
- Jan 23, 2012
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- 420
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So I just had an interview for a competitive stipend. The stipend is for students who go to primary care integrated sites (medical home sites for example). I was asked not to interview for the VA practicum as it is not one of the qualifying sites. I can understand this, they don't want me to waste their time by reviewing my materials and choosing me as a recipient only to turn it down and go with an offer from the VA. They will pick recipients for the stipend next week, but the VA interviews won't even start until mid Nov. So, if I don't receive the stipend, I can still interview for the VA.
I'm really conflicted. When I decided to go to grad school, it was with the end goal of working with military families as a therapist. I took the health practicum last year because I wanted a well rounded experience, and in part because I knew that the VA was attempting to move to a medical home/PACT model. In last year's practicum I really grew to love working in the primary care setting. Its face-paced, I really enjoyed working as part of a team, I really think the team model is the future of health care. I've also had more experience with the local military base and they underutilize their LCSW therapists (mostly commander referred visits etc). I've also heard mixed feedback about how the VA utilizes their social workers -- i.e. primarily as case managers. I've heard this varies by location, as some social worker interns are carrying a patient case load. It would help if I had facts about my local area.
I think what's really happening here in this post is that I'm trying to tell myself that it's okay to change my mind.
I'm really conflicted. When I decided to go to grad school, it was with the end goal of working with military families as a therapist. I took the health practicum last year because I wanted a well rounded experience, and in part because I knew that the VA was attempting to move to a medical home/PACT model. In last year's practicum I really grew to love working in the primary care setting. Its face-paced, I really enjoyed working as part of a team, I really think the team model is the future of health care. I've also had more experience with the local military base and they underutilize their LCSW therapists (mostly commander referred visits etc). I've also heard mixed feedback about how the VA utilizes their social workers -- i.e. primarily as case managers. I've heard this varies by location, as some social worker interns are carrying a patient case load. It would help if I had facts about my local area.
I think what's really happening here in this post is that I'm trying to tell myself that it's okay to change my mind.