SLPA INTERN burnout. Is this the reality?
I’ve been so excited about this career for years. All my interests and skills make it perfect for me on paper. I’ve been a nanny for 10 years, I have plenty of experience with kids.
I just graduated with my BS and I’m 6 weeks into my internship at a clinic. I chose a clinical setting because from what Ive heard, I prefer it to school setting with multiple kids at a time. My supervising SLP is patient and so knowledgeable, but also slightly intimidating. Part of me is really enjoying the experience but the other part of me is starting wonder if this field is right for me. Why?
I’m expected to write up lesson plans for each session a day. We must have an activity listed for each goal we’re targeting, the materials used, and how we’re going to do it. I also have to write up homework assignment sheets to give during parent education. I’m not allowed to use flashcards or anything of the sort, she wants me to “be creative”. This also applies to any telehealth sessions- she does not want me using any online resources or games, only creative activities over the camera with the child.
I understand why we have to do all this, it’s to prepare us to be great SLPAs once we’re in the field. But it feels impossible right now. I spend 9-10 hours a day at the clinic (including staying after to prep for the next day), hours and hours on weekends and on weeknights trying to lesson plan new creative ideas since she does not want to see the same things over and over. I’m feeling really defeated, because it’s impossible to get these lesson plans and homework assignments written out between sessions while also giving parent education, charting data, and writing up SOAP notes. I’m frequently working through my lunch break and forgetting to eat. I have barely any toys and activities to use for session so I’m constantly searching for toys/games to bring with me to session but obviously I’m broke because I’m not getting paid. And of course, I’m suffering from the same anxiety all new SLPAs have since no one ever teaches us HOW to do therapy, they just throw us in there and expect us to “be creative” without teaching us basics like methods for articulation, etc.
This is so so hard. The SLPAs who work there don’t have to do any of these extra things the interns are asked to do, so I suppose that makes me feel slightly more optimistic about it being easier when the internship ends? I don’t know. Is this normal? Please, send words of encouragement!!!