{"id":133,"date":"2017-06-01T16:18:50","date_gmt":"2017-06-01T16:18:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nau.edu\/social-work\/?p=133"},"modified":"2017-12-04T15:52:49","modified_gmt":"2017-12-04T15:52:49","slug":"self-care-at-the-social-work-senior-field-seminar","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/school-social-work\/self-care-at-the-social-work-senior-field-seminar\/","title":{"rendered":"Self Care at the Social Work Senior Field Seminar"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Let\u2019s be honest \u2013 social work is hard. Helping professionals put their hearts and minds into supporting others every day, and must develop unique skills to remain healthy, happy, and resilient under pressure.<\/p>\n

There are times when every social worker experiences distress as a result of their work, and research shows that this can increase rates of burnout, job turnover, and life stress. Self-compassion, healthy boundaries, and ongoing attention to personal needs allow people to manage professional challenges, and can improve wellbeing enormously.<\/p>\n

The NAU Social Work program emphasizes the importance of self-care throughout the student\u2019s coursework. When it comes to developing critical skillsets like these, however, firsthand experience is key. Senior Christi Fogtman writes, \u201cAs students, we learn about the importance of self-care. It is not until we enter into our internships, though, that we really begin to understand how necessary it is.\u201d<\/p>\n

NAU\u2019s BSW seniors complete 480-hour field education placements (internships), working directly with vulnerable populations in schools, community mental health agencies, head start centers, child welfare agencies, crisis centers, and health care centers. They receive one-on-one mentoring and support from Social Work professionals, and from NAU\u2019s SW Field Education Director, Julie Fritzler.<\/p>\n

Social Work students have many challenging experiences in their internships, and some are harder to navigate than others. Our field education program prepares students to identify personal strengths and work through these challenges. They have the professional and emotional support of<\/p>\n

their mentors, teachers, and cohort to help them transition from campus to career.\u201d Julie Fritzler, Social Work Field Education Director<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

With this in mind, this year\u2019s Social Work Field Education Symposium was designed to help reinforce good self-care practices. At the symposium, an annual training for NAU\u2019s graduating BSW students and Agency Field Instructors, Andrea Meronuck, Clinical Director of Northland Family Help Center, presented on Personal Sustainability in the Helping Professions.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen we stop caring for ourselves, we stop caring for others. Little things, like supportive touch and being present in the moment, are easily forgotten, but can go so far.\u00a0Andrea encouraged\u00a0us to always remember\u00a0that self-compassion does not equal selfishness,\u201d wrote student Christi Fogtman. Alongside faculty, field instructors, and the rest of their cohort, students learned new strategies for self-care. Throughout the presentation, they had opportunities to refine self-care plans, connect with and support peers, and discuss how they can structure their lives and careers for sustainability and happiness.<\/p>\n

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When asked about their practices, members of this year\u2019s graduating class really drove home the value they place on personal time and community support:<\/p>\n

McKayla Bradley wrote \u201cI really love cycling and running when I have high levels of stress. Other times I enjoy practicing yoga or meditating. After the symposium, I think I need to start treating myself more like how I would treat a friend. Rely on your peers,\u00a0colleagues, and professors for support! There is a good chance that they are going through something similar, or have already been through it before.\u201d<\/p>\n

Shannon Humphrey writes, \u201cI have grown so much by giving myself self-compassion which associates to self-care. I go on plenty of trips around and outside of Flagstaff. I enjoy having me time.\u201d<\/p>\n

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SELF-CARE RESOURCES<\/h3>\n

If you\u2019re reading this and wishing you could have been there, don\u2019t worry! There are plenty of resources available.\u00a0Your\u00a0self-care practice, of course, will reflect the things that make\u00a0you\u00a0happy. Most important, is that you decide to treat yourself well every day.<\/p>\n