r/hospitalsocialwork

Hello all! Non traditional premed student (formerly worked in finance, believe it or not). I have found that throughout all my clinical experiences, both in my current clinical job, but also in volunteering (emergency room and working with the unhoused) I am consistently drawn the most to conversing with people, learning their problems and life stories. This is made me consider social work as a potential avenue for medical social work or counseling.

Grades aren't a motivating factor, I've done all the prereqs and have the GPA for med school. It's simply a question of interest and fulfillment; I'm not sure the debt and grind of medical school/residency is worth it to become a prescribing psychiatrist when the conversational time with patients is what drives me towards clinical work. Of course there is a difference in life-time earnings but I prioritize financial stability and fulfillment over wealth accumulation.

Has anyone else navigated this transition? What did you think about, and how did you decide on your career path?

First time posting here. I’ve been a hospital social worker for almost three years; it’s my first social work job since I graduated. For the past six months, I have dreaded going to work and it’s been seriously effecting my mental health - I cry on the way to work, have extreme “Sunday scaries”, and have recently having nightmares about work. The thing that gets me though is I can’t pinpoint exactly why I’m feeling this way, and why it started seemingly out of no where. Has anyone else felt this way, and if so, is there anything you did to help the situation?

I have been in private practice for about 4 years and I have decided to make the switch to medical social work for better pay and consistent hours. I have been lucky to have been offered 2 different positions that are pretty different and I’m struggling to decide which one to choose.

Option 1: Emergency room social worker in a pediatric hospital, hours 1pm-9pm, less pay, very easy commute

Option 2: Social worker in a pediatric hospital that focuses on providing support for families while they are in the hospital (can range from general pediatric surgery, oncology, to cardiology), higher pay, hours 8:00-4:30pm, 30 min commute but traffic can make it much longer

Anyone want to provide feedback on what makes more sense or seems like a better opportunity?

I have two incredibly different offers: remote therapist position,good pay,decent amount of clients a week or hospital social work (social worker in charge of multiple units,discharge planning…) what would you pick?

Hi! I’ve been in outpatient community mental health for several years and I love the work but the amount of documentation is draining. How much is there in hospital social work?

I’m in USA.