As I have mentioned in previous blogs, the preparation for time off, or time away during internship has been quite a learning experience. This week, I have experienced yet another disadvantage of time away.......the return to work.
Last weekend, I traveled back to Missouri to spend time with my family and Chris for Easter. I left town on Friday, completely caught up at work (aside from a report I worked on over the weekend from home). When I returned Monday morning, I planned on a leisurely return and a smooth transition back into the hustle and bustle of things. Boy...was I wrong.
Not only have I came in early each morning this week, and worked late into the evening most nights, I am at work today (on a Saturday) and will likely be here all day trying to catch up on reports. In addition to notes, reports, and other routine duties, it is the end of the month...which means additional work, in the form of monthly report updates, completion and submission of expense reports, and verifying authorization of each of my home based clients. I am working dilligently to get caught up again...I hate to be behind at work.
As much as I would like to say working on the weekends never happens, it is actually the norm rather than the exception. In some respects, it is fine, as my family and friends are in Missouri. Unfortunately, this weekend I have lots of things I need to do other than working on stuff at work.
More than likely, I will get everything accomplished. But all this work emphasizes the idea of taking a vacation after the vacation ;)
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Thursday, March 20, 2008
The Looming Stress of Licensure...
So, last week, I mentioned I had recently passed the NCE and was working on completing all necessary requirements to obtain licensure as an LPC in the State of Missouri. Although I have heard many horror stories from my peers who have, or are currently going through the process, I began the process with an open mind, hoping and praying I would have a completely different, more positive experience. Unfortunately, I was quickly brought back down to reality...
After spending a considerable amount of time wading through the regulations and statues on the state licensure webpage, I was left confused and frustrated. The information they provide is not clear, and not helpful. In hopes of getting clearer answers, I e-mailed the woman in charge of responding to inquires about the process. Following a string of e-mails back and forth, I finally determined what I would need to submit in order to get the process started.
I began filling out the paperwork immediately, requested my transcript and NCE scores be sent directly to the licensing board, and began the waiting game. Since I will be beginning my supervision of hours in Nebraska and switching supervisiors and site locations midstream, I will have to fill out more paperwork in the very near future. Frustrating really, but I have resigned myself to the fact that I must do it in order to be licensed!
On the bright side, however, I learned I only have to complete half the hours I originally thought I would have to complete. Apparently, if you have a certain amount of post-masters training, you get to waive several hours (600 direct client contact hours 1500 total hours). GREAT NEWS!!! So, provided I am able to successfully obtain provisional licensure, acquisition of 1500 total hours should be the easy part!!!
After spending a considerable amount of time wading through the regulations and statues on the state licensure webpage, I was left confused and frustrated. The information they provide is not clear, and not helpful. In hopes of getting clearer answers, I e-mailed the woman in charge of responding to inquires about the process. Following a string of e-mails back and forth, I finally determined what I would need to submit in order to get the process started.
I began filling out the paperwork immediately, requested my transcript and NCE scores be sent directly to the licensing board, and began the waiting game. Since I will be beginning my supervision of hours in Nebraska and switching supervisiors and site locations midstream, I will have to fill out more paperwork in the very near future. Frustrating really, but I have resigned myself to the fact that I must do it in order to be licensed!
On the bright side, however, I learned I only have to complete half the hours I originally thought I would have to complete. Apparently, if you have a certain amount of post-masters training, you get to waive several hours (600 direct client contact hours 1500 total hours). GREAT NEWS!!! So, provided I am able to successfully obtain provisional licensure, acquisition of 1500 total hours should be the easy part!!!
Thursday, March 13, 2008
A great weekend!
This past weekend, I used two of my vacation days (Thursday and Friday) and took a trip to Springfield! While there, I was able to visit several friends and catch up on all the "goings on" in the area. Chris and I took in a theatre production of "The Miracle Worker", which was fantastic, we cooked (one of our favorite things to do together), and spent much needed quality time doing nothing!
Unfortunately, the trip was not all fun and games. On Friday, I took the NCE (National Counselors Examination) in order to begin working on my LPC. I had spent considerable time studying during the weeks leading up to the test (multi-tasking while I was at the gym each day). So, Friday afternoon at 1:30 p.m., I headed over to the H&R Block office, and took the exam. It took me a little more than two hours to finish the questions and double check the ones I was uncertain about. When I was finished, I proceeded up to the front desk to receive my results. I was pleased to learn I passed! A huge weight was instantly lifted off my shoulders and I felt as if I could truly enjoy my remaining time in Springfield.
Now, I get the priviledge of applying for licensure...which (according to my peers who have gone through the process) is an absolute nightmare. Luckily, I have lots of support and help around this area! More information about specifics of this process to come in a future blog.......
Unfortunately, the trip was not all fun and games. On Friday, I took the NCE (National Counselors Examination) in order to begin working on my LPC. I had spent considerable time studying during the weeks leading up to the test (multi-tasking while I was at the gym each day). So, Friday afternoon at 1:30 p.m., I headed over to the H&R Block office, and took the exam. It took me a little more than two hours to finish the questions and double check the ones I was uncertain about. When I was finished, I proceeded up to the front desk to receive my results. I was pleased to learn I passed! A huge weight was instantly lifted off my shoulders and I felt as if I could truly enjoy my remaining time in Springfield.
Now, I get the priviledge of applying for licensure...which (according to my peers who have gone through the process) is an absolute nightmare. Luckily, I have lots of support and help around this area! More information about specifics of this process to come in a future blog.......
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Time for some R & R
As the field of psychology can be very overwhelming at times (especially for the intern-novice), it is very important for your own mental health to make time to relax. In many fields, taking a vacation day is a pretty simple thing...ask for the time off, get the time off, and take the time off. In the mental health field, however, it isn't that easy.
I am taking two days off this week, Thursday and Friday, as I will be travelling to Springfield to spend time with Chris and my friends in the area. I asked for these days almost two months ago, and was fortunately approved with no problems. This, however, was the easy part. In the past two weeks, I have been preparing for these two days. I had to ensure I had proper coverage for all of my clients (and I have 20) in the event of a crisis, had to make sure my paperwork was done, reports were written, and all other relevant bases were covered in the event of some unplanned emergency. This requires quite a bit of forethought and lots of help from my wonderful peers.
Now, as I prepare for my departure from Lincoln later this evening and brace myself for the six hour drive to Springfield, I realize just how important personal time can be for the mental health practitioner. As difficult as the preparation for time-off can be, I am keenly aware that the payoff will far outweigh the work it takes to get there! Bring on the vacation!!!
I am taking two days off this week, Thursday and Friday, as I will be travelling to Springfield to spend time with Chris and my friends in the area. I asked for these days almost two months ago, and was fortunately approved with no problems. This, however, was the easy part. In the past two weeks, I have been preparing for these two days. I had to ensure I had proper coverage for all of my clients (and I have 20) in the event of a crisis, had to make sure my paperwork was done, reports were written, and all other relevant bases were covered in the event of some unplanned emergency. This requires quite a bit of forethought and lots of help from my wonderful peers.
Now, as I prepare for my departure from Lincoln later this evening and brace myself for the six hour drive to Springfield, I realize just how important personal time can be for the mental health practitioner. As difficult as the preparation for time-off can be, I am keenly aware that the payoff will far outweigh the work it takes to get there! Bring on the vacation!!!
Sunday, March 2, 2008
A sign of things to come...
As an intern, I have faced a number of interesting challenges, both personally and professionally. When I moved to Nebraska, I was comforted by the fact I had an internship and had begun the final chapter of my graduate career. Unfortunately, I was quickly reminded I should not grow too comfortable in my role as an intern, as the year would quickly draw to an end, and I would be faced with yet another choice...what to do for residency.
My search for a postdoctoral residency began approximately one month after I had begun my internship. Unlike the internship application process, however, the search for a residency is more open. Although this sounds like a blessing (and in most ways, it is) it places the burden of responsibility on the seeker. So, I quickly began to develop a plan, which involved talking with previous professors and gathering information from the APPIC website.
Although I was generally open to any possibility, I had one major criterion which had to be met....location. I wanted to be in or as close to Springfield as possible...mostly because of Chris and the many friends I have in the area.
So, the search began. Shortly after this beginning, I was talking with my friend Tessa, who is currently interning with Pathways Community Behavioral Healthcare. She LOVES her internship and the site was accepting applications for residency. So, with some assistance from her, I assembled all necessary application materials and submitted them in late January.
Then, approximately three weeks ago, I received a phone call from the director of training for Pathways. She informed me they were interested in setting up an interview. After much discussion, I was contacted a few days later, and shortly thereafter I completed my first phone interview last Wednesday. This interview went very well, and I received another phone call on Monday, requesting a second interview. The following day, I completed another phone interview...and yet another self-determined success.
And then the good news...the next day (Wednesday), the director of training contacted me and extended an offer for residency, an offer which I happily accepted. In the coming weeks, I will learn the exact location of my placement, although it will likely be in southern Missouri.
So, I am happy to report I am the newest resident for Pathways Community Behavioral Healthcare. I am VERY excited about the possibilities associated with this opportunity, and excited to be moving ALOT closer to home.
The future has alot of promise in store...and I can't wait to see exactly what that entails!!!
My search for a postdoctoral residency began approximately one month after I had begun my internship. Unlike the internship application process, however, the search for a residency is more open. Although this sounds like a blessing (and in most ways, it is) it places the burden of responsibility on the seeker. So, I quickly began to develop a plan, which involved talking with previous professors and gathering information from the APPIC website.
Although I was generally open to any possibility, I had one major criterion which had to be met....location. I wanted to be in or as close to Springfield as possible...mostly because of Chris and the many friends I have in the area.
So, the search began. Shortly after this beginning, I was talking with my friend Tessa, who is currently interning with Pathways Community Behavioral Healthcare. She LOVES her internship and the site was accepting applications for residency. So, with some assistance from her, I assembled all necessary application materials and submitted them in late January.
Then, approximately three weeks ago, I received a phone call from the director of training for Pathways. She informed me they were interested in setting up an interview. After much discussion, I was contacted a few days later, and shortly thereafter I completed my first phone interview last Wednesday. This interview went very well, and I received another phone call on Monday, requesting a second interview. The following day, I completed another phone interview...and yet another self-determined success.
And then the good news...the next day (Wednesday), the director of training contacted me and extended an offer for residency, an offer which I happily accepted. In the coming weeks, I will learn the exact location of my placement, although it will likely be in southern Missouri.
So, I am happy to report I am the newest resident for Pathways Community Behavioral Healthcare. I am VERY excited about the possibilities associated with this opportunity, and excited to be moving ALOT closer to home.
The future has alot of promise in store...and I can't wait to see exactly what that entails!!!
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