Been Thinking lately

[Amethya]

Before I go on, this is not because of my issues lately with work or what not, but it's mostly about something I have been thinking since I got here in my position.

So as you know I'm not a nurse, but my job is basically nursing for students. I love it, don't get me wrong. I love the job and what I do and such, but the one thing I love the most of it is the interaction with the children.

These kids in my school are awesome kids, of course they have their own kinks. But like any child, they have issues, but they don't tell someone they don't trust. Sometimes it's their teachers they rely on, but other times it's me. We have a counselor who comes once a week to our school, but she only does the cases she's given. I talked to my principal and he says they tried to find a counselor but they haven't found anyone. The one person we are told to refer the students is our AP, but the problem is she's an authority figure and some kids don't trust that.

So because of this, I get most of the kids coming in here to talk to me about issues or what not. I don't mind, in fact. I love it! I love listening to their issues and trying to help them figure themselves out.

Lately I searching for counseling education in college, because it's something I would love to presue. But I'm kinda in a bind on how I can afford this and what I can do because most of this type of work is asking for 2 years of teaching experience, which I'm okay to do but I need to find a teaching certificate.

It's a long road, but maybe... this is what I should be doing. I love clinical work, don't get me wrong, but maybe I'm tapping into what I really love.

Especially advocating for students with disabilities.

[OhioBPH]

Have you considered going into social work? You can do a bachelor's or master's in social work and get an LISW to work in counselling.

[Amethya]

Have you considered going into social work? You can do a bachelor's or master's in social work and get an LISW to work in counselling.

I haven't thought of it much, but I would love to do more school counselling.

Can you explain more about this?

[OhioBPH]

I'm not sure about school counselling, since often that is academic over mental health. Our counselors here certainly do alot of mental health, but some districts hire a social worker to help with counselling servies and to connect families to services they need. However, often if someone sees a private counselor or therapist, they may be seeing an LISW-C.

[ruby_jane, BSN, RN]

I can't remember if you have a bachelor's degree or not. Check with the state education association (type in "your state" education association on Mr. Google) to see what would qualify you to have an emergency teaching certification. In our district all the counselors started as teachers. One has an M.Ed, one has an LPC, one has a generic masters and the other two just have bachelors' degrees.

If you really want counseling - LPC is the quickest entry. LMSW is probably a great fit for you and your good heart (you're pretty much working as an untitled, unlicensed social worker now) but it takes longer.

Good luck.

[Amethya]

My decision is starting to seem real because on how much I touched these children's hearts. I just had a student tell me that I'm literally like an older sister because at home she's the only child and she feels she can tell me anything and I will understand.