Lessons You'll Never Learn in a Textbook: Reflections of a Newly Trained Personal Support Worker - Softcover

Doucet, Michelle L. L.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1411694562 ISBN 13: 9781411694569

Publisher: Lulu Press, Inc., 2006

Synopsis

Training for the Human Service field can be a daunting task. This book is meant to be supplemental reading for those studying for a career in the numerous support fields or anyone volunteering in outreach programs. You do not have to be paid to give support. Learn how to give it with an open mind and not just to those you consider worthy of help. The references in this book come from life and the experiences that I have had working as a personal support worker. They are written in laymen’s terms, curses and all, and hopefully, will be user friendly and more engaging to read than paragraphs of mere facts and terms. Some things and events were disturbing but they have all taught me something.

About this title

About the Author

Ms. Doucet holds a 2 yr Diploma with Honours in Human Services: Residential & Vocational Services, is a Nova Scotia Department of Community Services certified Employability Assessment Facilitator, a Nova Scotia Department of Adult Education certified Adult Literacy Tutor and Instructor, and is currently working as a personal support worker. She has also received several academic achievement awards including; Highest Academic Standing in Human Services: Residential & Vocational Services.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

This book is a compilation of work assignments from my student years and personal reflections since I have been working out in the field. The names of all persons have been changed to preserve the privacy and dignity of all individuals involved.

These experiences, both positive and negative, have allowed me to grow as a person and have shaped my style of "helping". It is my hope that you also may take something from these stories. Textbook descriptions of disorders, illnesses, and addictions and their treatments are, of course, mandatory for successful study, but being able to acknowledge and understand that each individual is a person coming into your life with their own personalities, circumstances, and backgrounds is essential. These aren t textbook scenarios, they are real people.

You ll find that in the real world things are never as black and white as some textbooks imply. Social support falls into the grey area in between the two. There are many things that you may believe when starting out that you won t be able to handle, people you can t see yourself supporting, and situations that you fear being put in. After reading this book maybe you ll realize that even if you do feel these things you re not wrong, bad, or a failure. We have all felt them and we have all questioned ourselves. Life is a constant learning experience. You ll be amazed at just how much you will be able to deal with, how much your eyes will be opened, and how much you really will care. I know I was.

Edition details

• Publisher: Lulu Press, Inc.
• Publication date: 2006
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1411694562
• ISBN 13: 9781411694569
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 76