Social work

Fiona59 · Mar 18, 2018

Well, Social Work is Social Work and Nursing is what it says.

One deals with how social conditions affects people, the other deals with the actual human body.

What do you think are the differences.

Pediatric Critical Care Columnist · Mar 18, 2018

There are no nursing diplomas in Canada any more. You would either be taking a practical nurse program or a nursing degree.

bluesocks · Mar 19, 2018

I think that this is a very rude response. If you don't like the person's question, feel free to not respond to it.

Additionally, I disagree with your statement. Nursing is a broad field, and I don't think it can be boiled down to "deals with the actual human body". I also think that it is important that nursing deals with "how social conditions affect people". Sure, nursing, especially acute care, is very focused on the pathophysiology of the human body, but I think understanding social conditions is paramount to any nursing role. Social determinants of health, interpersonal care, all of these things are relevant to BOTH social work and nursing.

As for OP's question: there are some nursing roles that look very similar to a social worker, particularly in community health. For example, the home care case manager role in my community is currently filled by a social worker, but could also be done by a nurse (one of several examples). Both do psychosocial assessments and help clients access the resources they need and provide supports. Since I am a nurse, not a social worker, it's a bit easier for me to explain the differences in nursing. Nursing does encompass more of a biological element to its care though. If you are in acute care, this can look very medical-based, with doing a lot of physical assessments and interventions. In other settings, even community settings you will be considering the biological aspect of things as well as the socioenvironmental ones. A mental health nurse will be assessing for biological dimensions of medications, illnesses, etc that are working along with social factors of that client's life. A social worker would not have that biological knowledge to necessarily consider those factors (although their expertise probably involves other considerations that nurses aren't meant to have).

Both are valuable careers, and if you are still in the early stage of deciding a career, I can see why both of these came to mind because they have a lot in common: they stem from wanting to help and care for other people and often involve similar assessments and interventions. You have to decide what type of work environment you think suits you best, and what your skills and strengths are. I recommend researching the different types of roles that nurses and social workers can have. Both work in a wide variety of settings and with different populations. IF you get a chance to job shadow someone in either profession, that may also help you decide where you are best suited to work. Best of luck

Fiona59 · Mar 20, 2018

The OP gives the board no background info. How much of a science background for starter.

Social Work and Nursing have different prerequisites.

They are talking about diplomas. Are they looking as the poster above you pointed out an LPN education? Are they interested in a Social Work degree or the two year diploma?

The two year diplomas as you know are different from the four year degrees. The opportunities offered by the diploma are different. Yes an LPN can work in many areas as can a two year diploma holder in SW but their roles are very different from a degree holder.

Perhaps if the OP returns we might be in a better position to know which direction they want to take.

vintage_RN, BSN, RN · Mar 20, 2018

Social work and nursing are two completely different professions. What are you interested in and looking to do? Even a specialty such as psych nursing is going to look quite different from the social workers role.