A Social Worker Again

I am a social worker at a community health clinic working with low-income pregnant women. I enjoy my job but most of the time I feel more like a nurse than a social worker. In fact, I frequently have to remind my clients that I'm not a nurse. I sit down with women and tell them what to expect during each month of their pregnancy. I tell them how to relieve all those pregnancy aches and pains. I schedule their appointments and refer them to the dentist in their second trimester. I visit them in the hospital when they deliver (which is my favorite part of the job). Now don't get me wrong, there is a social work component as well--I assess what the girls need and make referrals. I make sure they have enough food, appropriate housing, baby supplies, etc. I talk to my girls on the phone when they are panicked about something and I calm them down. But mostly I feel like a nurse.

Today was different. I got a call from one of my moms who just gave birth. Her baby was placed in foster care and she was upset and needed someone to talk to. I went to her house right away, listened to her woes, gave comfort and encouragement. I helped her make a plan of what to do and gave her advice as a former CPS worker. It was a rush. When I left the visit, the nurse I was with was super overwhelmed--I was dancing around. "I'm a social worker again! I'm a social worker again!" It reminded me that I love being a social worker. I love being there at times of crisis and working with people to help make things better. It reminded me that I love to get involved in situations a lot of people want to stay out of. I remembered I'm a social worker and not some pseudo-nurse. Today was exactally what I needed to remind me of my skills and made me commit to being a little more social worky and a little less nursey with my clients. Today I am recommiting myself to be a "super social worker" (as Niki would call it). I can't wait.