Where Do I Go From Here?

Lately, as I have worked on finishing up the project that led me here, I have been trying to decide where exactly I will go from here. It seems in my best interest to take a bit of a break from education for a little while in order to save money and gain some experience needed before I can begin my internship. I am trying to line up a job with the school system in my hometown, where I will work standard 'teacher' hours and gain volunteer hours on my off time at the pediatric wing of our local hospital. I need 150 hours of work with children in a healthcare setting before I can begin an internship with a Certified Child Life Specialist. that means 8 hour shifts, once a week, for roughly 19 weeks. There are 18 weeks in a standard school semester, so I will be able to get 150 hours fairly quickly all things considered. I will work for the school system for about 2 years before I move away to do my internship. Living at home with my parents (I know...) will allow me to save quite a bit, since I wont be paying rent/utilities/food, etc. My parents are wonderful and supportive and that is going to make this transition time so much easier. In Nov of 2012, I will begin the application process for an internship. I will be applying to many programs all over the United States in hopes that at least 1 hospital will choose me. this means I could end up as close as Louisville or as far away as Boston or Seattle. I will do what I have to do, and it is only for 4 months. Unless, of course, the hospital where I do my internship decides to hire me on afterward, in which case... I hope I like the city! It seems like so much work and so much time, but in reality, I could be packing up and beginning my internship in as little as 2.5 years. That is 30 months. Roughly 900 days. 21,600 hours. It doesn't seem like too much time now...

My Story... My Path

My Story

I have always known that I wanted to work with children. I grew up pretending my dolls were my actual children or children I was babysitting and sometimes I think I really believed it. I remember at 6 years old telling my mother that I couldn’t wait to have kids of my own. I ‘babysat’ for the first time at age 5 (a job that consisted of sitting inside during a garage sale with my mom’s friend’s 3 month old and coming outside to tell the mom when the baby cried or smelled), and I was hooked. I was the kid that drooled over new babies and any kid that was younger than me. I loved playing house, but only if I got to be the Mommy.

I briefly considered being an elementary teacher, but I quickly decided it wasn’t for me (probably after realizing just how annoying I was in class as a child…). I then moved on to say I wanted to be a coach, a child psychologist, an adoption attorney, a nanny, a preschool teacher and a pediatrician. For whatever reason, none of these career ideas stuck, they just didn’t seem to fit me well, despite the fact that in all of these careers, I would work with children. I had just about given up and decided to be a stay-at-home-mom (this is still something I would love to do if I am able one day, but that is a whole other blog). That was when I found a link to some hospital’s Child Life program. What was this? Why had I never heard of this job? Do all hospitals have them?

Upon further research I found that, while not an extremely well-known profession, there are several programs throughout the United States. I asked around and found out that my cousin, Hannah, who had been diagnosed with leukemia at age 3, and another cousin, Anna, who had to have stomach surgery at age 4 had both used the services of CCLS’s. This was fascinating to me. I don’t know what it was, but something just ‘clicked’ for me as I learned more about this profession. It was like my entire being just knew that this is what I was born to do. Call it a calling, or fate, or whatever, all I know is that I NEED to follow this path. Even if I don’t go all the way and get certified, or even if I only work as a CCLS for a year or two, I need to experience it.

And so, here I am, 5 months away from graduation, desperately trying to find the right internship for me, one that is not too far away (or not too close, it depends on the day), one in area that isn’t too expensive, one at the best hospital I can find, etc. It is difficult, trying to pick a hospital. It is much worse than trying to decide what college to go to. Though, that was something I decided at age 14 after visiting Berea College for the first time. Maybe I should just go visit a few hospitals, meet with their Child Life director and see what my gut has to say….

I have to ask you guys; What do you think? Should I visit different programs? Should I just pick a few? Should I apply to all of them and see which ones take me and then pick from there?

Also, tell me YOUR story. How did you decide which profession was right for you? Was it logical, or a gut feeling?

What kind of person?

I believe it takes a special kind of person to become a Child Life Specialist, or to take on any career in the realm of working with very sick children. It is a heartbreaking job, but without it, where would we be? If not me, then who? That is what I always tell people when they ask why I chose such an emotionally draining career. How can I not do it? That is my response to the question of " How will you do it?" I suppose the key characteristic of someone who decides to become a CCLS is a deep love for children, and a desire to see all children prosper and develop correctly. The Child Life Council has a wonderful list of characteristics of a Child Life Specialist. Some of the items on this list include; enjoys working with children and parents, can change language and demeanor to fit the development and emotional state of the child, and can multitask well. When I read this list, I found myself asking if I met each of the criteria, and with the exception of being able to describe a variety of medical procedures at this point, I certainly do. I am being called to do this, and I will do what i need to do to get there.

So I ask all of you, what traits do you think a person needs to have in order to do this work? How important is it that the person be strong emotionally, and yet able to connect deeply? Do you have these characteristics?

The Tools of the Trade

As a Child Life Specialist, the main goal is to ensure proper development for children despite being hospitalized and to provide methods for coping under the stress and through the pain that accompanies this situation. A CCLS will use many tools in order to accomplish this goal. These tools may include real medical supplies such as medical tape, IV syringes, stethescopes, and surgical gowns, masks and caps. It also likely that the CCLS will use some sort of medical doll, whether that is a stuffed doll, a teddy bear, or something similar is up to the specialist and the program director. These tools give the child the opportunity to pretend to be the doctor or nurse and have the doll be the 'patient.' Through this play, like any child's play, you can learn quite a bit about what the child is thinking. Their fears and questions show through the way they play with the tools, for example, if the child keeps giving the bear a shot and saying that it will hurt, that is likely to mean they are concerned about being poked with needles all the time. Just about anything can be part of the CCLS's toolkit. I have read that at St. Jude, they use super hero capes and squirt guns. One of larger tools that most hospitals employ is a Playroom. This is a very important place to the children because it is a 'Medicine-Free Zone,' so no doctors are allowed and no medicine or procedure is allowed to take place. This allows the children to have a safety zone where they do not have to worry about being poked and prodded. The playroom is much like a room in a daycare, with stations that enhance the development of the child. Many hospitals also have a Teen Room, for ages 13-18 only, so that they can have a place to relax and not feel like they are considered 'children.' I love the Playroom, because it is a place where the child can play with other kids and feel normal for a little while, while still being inside the hospital should an emergency arise. A huge part of the Child Life program is to normalize the situation as much as possible for the children and their families, and these tools I have mentioned play a key part in doing just that.

What the heck is a Child Life Specialist?

That is probably what most of you were thinking while reading my first post, right? I am very surprised at how many people do not know what these professionals do, because it really is so very important. You see, a Child Life Specialist (CCLS) works in a pediatric health care setting, usually a Children's Hospital. They attend to the child's psychosocial care while the rest of the team is most concerned with their physical care. Yes, the physical care is important, but the biggest factor in who will survive or thrive during an illness or recovery from injury is the emotional state of the patient and members of the support system. The hospital is a scary place for anyone, but especially for children. They might wonder why their parents brought them to this big place with lots of unfamiliar noises and people poking and prodding them, or they might think they did something wrong and this is their punishment. Bottom line: They need someone who knows both the medical side of it all and how to explain it all in a way that children can understand to be a liaison between the rest of the medical team and the family. The CCLS will also provide any emotional support the family (parents, siblings and friends) might need. The Child Life Council has a great website with TONS of information on this profession, so go check it out-- www.childlife.org. It still surprises me when I tell someone I am hoping to become a Certified Child Life Specialist, and they get this blank look that just screams "I have no earthly idea what you are talking about, so I'm just going to nod my head and smile until you tell me." I hope this blog series helps repair that situation and provide more information to anyone interested.

Welcome!

Hi all,

Welcome to my newest blog! I am so glad that you have stumbled upon this because YOU can help me! This blog has begun as a project for my Senior Seminar at Berea College, that's right--I'm graduating in 6 months! Over the course of... however long it takes for me to establish a career, I will be keeping this blog. My first 'real' post will go up in a few days and I will begin to fill in for you my journey so far. I'm really excited about this because not only will it show YOU where I'm coming from, where I'm hoping to go and where in the world I end up--it will also allow ME to keep track of it all and maybe, just maybe, even learn something about myself. So hold on tight, it is going to be a bumpy (and hopefully awesome) ride! Here is where you come in. I will be telling you all about the career I have chosen (Child Life Specialist), as well as the why's and how's and so on. You, my lovely readers, will be welcome (and strongly encouraged!!) to give me any information you may have or find. Whether you or someone you know is or knows a Certified Child Life specialist, if you've learned something in a class, if you have ever used the services of a CCLS... it doesn't matter! This is a place to share that info and it will be fun, I promise!


Best,

L