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Transition and Adjustment to Professional Identity as a Newly Qualified Social Worker.
- Source :
- Australian Social Work; Apr2019, Vol. 72 Issue 2, p206-218, 13p
- Publication Year :
- 2019
-
Abstract
- This article discusses the lived experience of professional identity during the transition from student to newly qualified practitioner. Current literature emphasises the first year of practice as an important time of transition to a job-role as student social workers move into postqualification practice. However, little research has explored how professional identity is experienced during this significant transition period. A phenomenological research project was undertaken with 17 newly qualified social workers in Australia. Three in-depth semistructured interviews were conducted with each participant across the first 12 months postqualification period. Participants described how they resolved personal, relational, and professional questions about becoming and being a qualified social worker. The findings indicate a need for educators, employers, supervisors and the profession to consider how to better integrate professional identity within curricula, policy, and systems of support, including supervision. Findings from a qualitive study indicate the initial postqualification period involves consolidating, clarifying, and settling into professional identity as a newly qualified social worker. Educators should consider a holistic approach to curriculum development regarding professional identity and how they prepare graduating students to transition from university to qualified practice. The Australian Association of Social Work, supervisors, and managers are prompted to recognise and support the changing and evolving professional identities of newly qualified practitioners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Subjects :
- EMOTIONS
EXPERIENCE
HOLISTIC medicine
INTERVIEWING
PHENOMENOLOGY
RESEARCH methodology
NURSING practice
PROFESSIONAL employee training
REFLECTION (Philosophy)
SOCIAL case work
SOCIAL work education
PSYCHOLOGY of social workers
JOB qualifications
QUALITATIVE research
GRADUATES
OCCUPATIONAL roles
PROFESSIONAL identity
THEMATIC analysis
PATIENT-centered care
DATA analysis software
OCCUPATIONAL adaptation
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 0312407X
- Volume :
- 72
- Issue :
- 2
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- Australian Social Work
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 135567430
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1080/0312407X.2018.1558271