gekigengar gargant III!!! (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
aestivalis) wrote2022-09-14 08:39 am
aestivalis) wrote2022-09-14 08:39 am
"You're like a little budgie bird!"
I have finished my training to become a PSW! And I have successfully interviewed for a job!
I do not have the job yet, as that is pending references and the like. But the workplace honestly looks amazing, and I'm really excited for the opportunity. I also followed all that advice about applying for somewhere even if you don't have the recommended experience and it actually paid off, so that was delightful.
Part of my PSW training involved doing two months in an actual long-term care facility putting all my class education into practice. There were many aspects of my placement that were extremely difficult, for reasons I don't feel completely comfortable outlining here since I might be following some whistleblower procedures to report some of the things I witnessed (y e a h). But despite that, I really connected with this work. I loved it so much, and I'm so excited to move forward with this path!
Here are some short but incredible stories from during my placement! Because my residents were hilarious and I love them.
⦾ I had one particular resident who would call out every single time she saw me, and never liked me helping anyone else or really doing anything that was not specifically spending time and care on her. One time she told me "You are too kind to too many people", which might just be the most charming thing anyone has ever said to me in anger.
Of course, there were other times as well.
Resident: Where are you going?!
Me: I need to go and eat some lunch now, I'll be back soon.
Resident: Go on a diet!
⦾ One day, a resident asked me if Donald had been on the TV yet. When I asked for more detail, she clarified that she meant Donald Trump. I couldn't resist asking if she was a fan of Donald or not; I received the BIGGEST stank face in return, and was informed he can't keep getting away with it. Here's hoping she's right!
⦾ At one point, we had a Covid outbreak that required everyone to stay in their rooms. Not every resident was amenable to this request. When I asked one gentleman if he would go back to his room, he informed me that Covid was something we were making up and he wasn't going to take it. Obviously I listened to this with sympathy, and then I did the most naïve thing possible and asked if there was anything I could do that might change his mind. After a sly moment, he replied, "Show me your body".
Once I recovered from the shock I told him that I was not going to do that, to which he shrugged and carried on his way. I can not entirely fault him for that one.
⦾ I was sitting with a resident during a group activity where everyone was trying to name animals for every letter of the alphabet. My resident was enjoying being part of the social aspect but was not very able to actively participate, so when we reached 'K' and she mumbled 'kitten' I excitedly encouraged her to say it louder. She did so, but still not loud enough that the Activity Director heard her. I called out that Resident had a contribution, and all eyes turned our way as I encouraged her to say it one more time. At which point she loudly proclaimed KIDNAPPER.
Because of course she did. (She also identified V for Violence, which... yes, but also not quite what we were looking for.)
⦾ Over breakfast, a resident looked across the table at me and said something. I thought 'surely I've misheard that' and asked her to repeat herself.
Resident: Hitler.
Me: (um) What about him?
Resident: He's around here somewhere...
I promised her that if I saw Hitler I'd tell him his type wasn't welcome around here and make him leave. She was reassured. (I did not find Hitler.)
I honestly love this work, man. I hope more than anything that my actual permanent position has people even half as wonderful and colourful and full of verve as the people I worked with during my placement. I never imagined I'd be working in this field, but I find it hard to imagine ever going back at this point. This really might be the place for me!
I do not have the job yet, as that is pending references and the like. But the workplace honestly looks amazing, and I'm really excited for the opportunity. I also followed all that advice about applying for somewhere even if you don't have the recommended experience and it actually paid off, so that was delightful.
Part of my PSW training involved doing two months in an actual long-term care facility putting all my class education into practice. There were many aspects of my placement that were extremely difficult, for reasons I don't feel completely comfortable outlining here since I might be following some whistleblower procedures to report some of the things I witnessed (y e a h). But despite that, I really connected with this work. I loved it so much, and I'm so excited to move forward with this path!
Here are some short but incredible stories from during my placement! Because my residents were hilarious and I love them.
⦾ I had one particular resident who would call out every single time she saw me, and never liked me helping anyone else or really doing anything that was not specifically spending time and care on her. One time she told me "You are too kind to too many people", which might just be the most charming thing anyone has ever said to me in anger.
Of course, there were other times as well.
Resident: Where are you going?!
Me: I need to go and eat some lunch now, I'll be back soon.
Resident: Go on a diet!
⦾ One day, a resident asked me if Donald had been on the TV yet. When I asked for more detail, she clarified that she meant Donald Trump. I couldn't resist asking if she was a fan of Donald or not; I received the BIGGEST stank face in return, and was informed he can't keep getting away with it. Here's hoping she's right!
⦾ At one point, we had a Covid outbreak that required everyone to stay in their rooms. Not every resident was amenable to this request. When I asked one gentleman if he would go back to his room, he informed me that Covid was something we were making up and he wasn't going to take it. Obviously I listened to this with sympathy, and then I did the most naïve thing possible and asked if there was anything I could do that might change his mind. After a sly moment, he replied, "Show me your body".
Once I recovered from the shock I told him that I was not going to do that, to which he shrugged and carried on his way. I can not entirely fault him for that one.
⦾ I was sitting with a resident during a group activity where everyone was trying to name animals for every letter of the alphabet. My resident was enjoying being part of the social aspect but was not very able to actively participate, so when we reached 'K' and she mumbled 'kitten' I excitedly encouraged her to say it louder. She did so, but still not loud enough that the Activity Director heard her. I called out that Resident had a contribution, and all eyes turned our way as I encouraged her to say it one more time. At which point she loudly proclaimed KIDNAPPER.
Because of course she did. (She also identified V for Violence, which... yes, but also not quite what we were looking for.)
⦾ Over breakfast, a resident looked across the table at me and said something. I thought 'surely I've misheard that' and asked her to repeat herself.
Resident: Hitler.
Me: (um) What about him?
Resident: He's around here somewhere...
I promised her that if I saw Hitler I'd tell him his type wasn't welcome around here and make him leave. She was reassured. (I did not find Hitler.)
I honestly love this work, man. I hope more than anything that my actual permanent position has people even half as wonderful and colourful and full of verve as the people I worked with during my placement. I never imagined I'd be working in this field, but I find it hard to imagine ever going back at this point. This really might be the place for me!
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I might be following some whistleblower procedures to report some of the things I witnessed (y e a h).
Oh god, please do! Ontario's longterm care system is a nightmare and certain bills being pushed through by our premier is only going to make it worse (i.e. more privatised and for-profit).
Also, "go on a diet!" — THE NOISE I MADE. OUT LOUD. AT MY WORK DESK. IN THE OFFICE.
(I did not find Hitler.)
Did you check the arts and crafts room?
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certain bills being pushed through
yeeeeeeah, that's already begun to have a visible impact in the place where I did my practicum. Sure do have some things I could link to right now if I wasn't worried about making myself too traceable! Also just to be petty, it's been over a week since I requested a reference from my practicum placement and haven't heard back, and if they end up costing me this job offer I swear >:(
As for Hitler, I did NOT check the arts and crafts room. Dear god, what have I done.
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(In all seriousness, best of luck with the job! I hope everything is sorted quickly.)
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care work is hard, and thank you for taking it up. <3