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AlwaysaFalcon

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Posts posted by AlwaysaFalcon

  1. On 5/13/2021 at 10:16 AM, cheekyspeechie said:

    What can I do now, as a future grad student in the 2021 cohort, to try and get a medical placement? Would shadowing a medical SLP over the summer help? 

    Are you referring to a medical placement in your graduate program or a medical placement during your CFY?

    If you are able to shadow I definitely think it would help as far as a medical placement goes and for experience to put on your resume. As far as I'm aware most graduate programs will provide you with a medical placement or have options for you to find one so I wouldn't be worried about gaining medical experience.

    As far as a medical CFY it's not impossible to get! I know a couple of my classmates that work in SNFs for their CFYs and in my experience/from what I've heard SNFs are more desperate/willing to take a CF compared to a rehabilitation clinic or a hospital unless you already have prior experience at that facility. However, if you don't get a medical cf that doesn't mean you'll never be able to work in a medical facility. You can work per diem to gain experience or shadow or take CEUs. I hope that helped!

  2. On 5/10/2021 at 4:51 PM, summerlovin123 said:

    Any advice for studying for comprehensive exams or praxis?

    I bought a study guide book online and I also split 4 practice exams between a couple of friends! for the Praxis! Really just taking as many practice questions as you can helps! Also if you have to take it again it isn't the end of the world. I'm not a great standardized test taker and I had to take it four times. 

    As far as comprehensive exams goes I always studied 1-2 weeks in advance and would study a little bit everyday instead of cramming the day before or couple days before. I used/made study guides. That personally helped me. I hoped that helps :)

  3. I don't know what you ended up deciding but before I started my clinical rotations I became depressed. My body and mind finally had to time to deal with the prolonged stress and anxiety to deal with graduate school. During graduate school I had multiple instances of self doubt, anxiety and a professor that bullied me and made me feel inadequate. The best decision I ever made was to utilize the counseling center through my school. Most programs will have free or reduced rates for services. It was my first time receiving counseling and was nervous but it was so worth it. My practicum was also a welcome distraction from my emotions. It was a process and sometimes I'm still learning to deal with my triggers (hello 2020 and a cfy during a global pandemic) but I'm so proud of myself that I invested in myself and my mental health. Obviously you know yourself better than any of us do online but I personally knew I needed to push through with help and let me tell you that it's a better world out their compared to graduate school. In my experience my clinical supervisors were so supportive and encouraging and helped to improve my confidence. Please pm if you need anything else! You've got this and you should be proud of yourself for recognizing you might need to take a step back. 

  4. On 3/5/2021 at 8:43 AM, bibliophile222 said:

    Great idea! The vast majority of people on Grad Cafe are applying or maaaybe in grad school, so there are very few actual SLPs on here to provide advice (although there is the Reddit SLP sub, where I'm pretty active.)

    I'm also a CF and am free for questions, although it looks like we're both school CFs, so we might not have very different insights on things. I recognize your username from when I was applying, and it's awesome to see that we both made it through and are real-life SLPs!

    Glad we made it out alive :) haha

  5. On 3/5/2021 at 10:06 PM, jomyers.online said:

    @bibliophile222 & @AlwaysaFalcon,

    What was your experience with the time needed to complete externships, clinicals, internships, and other placements? I'm still a little in the dark about what each of those terms would encompass in the world of SLP grad school. 

    For reference, in my undergraduate education degree, I had multiple fieldwork experiences in my sophomore and junior year, with one full-time 12 week placement the first semester of my senior year and one full-time 16 week internship during the spring semester. Our college classes were held after school during our placements.  While I am fully anticipating that the cognitive load will be greater when I move into graduate placements, would you say that your schedules were similar in your programs? Could one expect to spend more or less time, in your experience, working in the field over the course of their program?

    Thank you for offering to answer questions on here!

     

    -Jo

    Like others have said it depends on your program but in my experience my first two years of my programs were classes and the last three semesters were experiences off campus since my program does not have an on campus clinic. 

    My school placement was 13 weeks long

    My "special populations" placement (clinic, private practice, speciality school) was 11 weeks long

    My medical placement was 11 weeks long

    I hope that helps!

     

  6. 13 hours ago, futurespeechpath1 said:

    Is it true it's difficult to get a job as a medical SLP without getting a medical placement in grad school?

    So I currently work at a school for my CF so from personal experience I can't answer that, but I do know the slp that previously had my position worked in the school and then once she was done moved out to California and now works in a hospital. It may be more difficult to get a medical cf but it's not impossible. It all just depends on what you are looking out of from a cfy experience. Traditionally I know it's easier to get medical settings such as snfs compared to hospitals unless you have that connection with a hospital because snfs, especially during COVID are more open to hiring cfs but in this case you may be more willing to jump into the deep end with less support because of productivity standards. You could take continuing education CEUS during your CF but they won't count towards your CEUS hours needed after you obtain your CCCs. I hope that makes sense. I also recommend shadowing medical slps if you can if your goal is a medical cf. 

  7. On 1/22/2021 at 8:59 AM, smarieSLP2b said:

    I appreciate the warning! Not many are willing to speak out about these programs. I know the Council of accreditation takes feedback on programs from students when it is time for them to go through their review. You should look up what your program's date is or even if they accept anonymous complaints on their website. On another note, I'm sorry you are having a hard time with your program, lack of diversity is common in almost all SLP programs. The field is 96% caucasian. It's just something that you have to deal with temporarily, however once you practice in the field or live in certain areas it is easier to be amongst a diverse group of SLPs. As for the lack of opportunities, not to defend the program but with Covid-19 alot of programs are struggling to place students ANY where. I wouldn't stress placements so much as long as you are completing the hours required for graduation. There is always a way later on to get into your niche in this field. If you're willing to move I'm sure you can find a CF in your area of choice. Good luck and hang in there! Getting your degree is all that matters at this point. I would also look into the free services the school provides if you feel unsupported. Also if you have any "out there" interactions with a professor you can report them to the dean. Just because a person holds a certain position that doesn't allow them to get away with mistreating students. 

    @stressedNunimpressed I also agree to take advantage if you feel you need it to utilize the counseling services! My school offered free services for students and it helped me TREMENDOUSLY. You can get through this!!

    @smarieSLP2bI had not idea about the leaving feedback on programs for the council of accreditation. That's good to know!

  8. I personally have worked throughout graduate school. I'm in my last internship and I still am luckily able to work. My program you have to complete your coursework first then the last three semester are full time internships. So during the coursework portion of my program I worked 15-20 hours a week and during the internship portion of my program I worked 12-15 hours a week. I worked through federal work study on campus so for me that was very convenient because I lived close to campus and employers were understanding of you being a student. My other classmates were G.A's and worked as well. I personally thought it was very manageable. 

  9. I know personally I chose the state university versus the private university because I did have undergraduate debt and wanted to try and minimize the amount of graduate debt I would generate. I also looked at cost of living that was a big factor to me too. But it's insane the amount of tuition schools want to charge. Some schools cost 3x more per credit hour than mine. That adds up!!! I think it's responsible that you are being so considerate of cost. 

  10. On 2/24/2020 at 10:54 PM, Pre-SLP said:

     

     

     

    Tagging you all as you mentioned working in the field. I will probably have to reapply next cycle and would like to work in the field over this next year. Unfortunately I am having a hard time finding out requirements to be an SLP-A. I am an out-of-field applicant so I don't have a degree in communication sciences and disorders / SLP. Are there other jobs related to the field you all know of that would be good to apply for? Thanks!!

    I personally took a volunteering position in a preschool that worked with the preschool teacher and that way I was still able to observe with the slp. I did this while working full time at a unrelated position. 

  11. Here is information about licensure from ASHA about licensing in the states you're interested in:

    Rhode Island: https://www.asha.org/advocacy/state/info/RI/licensure/

    Connecticut: https://www.asha.org/advocacy/state/info/CT/licensure/

    Massachusetts: https://www.asha.org/advocacy/state/info/MA/licensure/

    Also if you express to whatever grad school you go to about practicing in another state they should be able to help you or contact ASHA if you have questions. As long as the program is credited by ASHA and you are able to get your license and degree that's all that matters! You can always apply for instate residency if you do move out of state to save on costs!

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