Going into my internship in the Emergency Department, I’m really excited to see what social work actually looks like in a fast-paced, real-world setting. I already work in the ED as a tech, so I’ve had a firsthand look at how quickly things move and how many roles come together to care for patients. That’s a big reason why I wanted to intern with an ED social worker. It feels like the perfect starting point to explore where I want to go with my psychology degree. Classes give a solid foundation, but I’m ready to see how everything comes together in real time. The ED is truly where clinical care and support services meet behind the scenes—it’s not always visible, but it’s incredibly important.
One of my biggest goals is to strengthen my communication and build better connections with patients. In the ED, conversations aren’t always long, but they matter a lot. I want to feel more confident in how I listen, ask questions, and respond, while also paying closer attention to body language and the small cues that can say so much. I’ve started to realize that even simple kindness can make a huge difference, especially when someone is stressed, overwhelmed, or in crisis.
I’m also excited to learn how social workers assess patient needs, whether it’s mental health concerns, housing challenges, or lack of support. Even tools like resource booklets play a big role in helping patients connect with support after they leave.
Overall, I’m really looking forward to everything this experience has to offer. I’m hoping to grow, build confidence, and walk away with a clearer understanding of my path in the helping field.
A resource booklet used to help connect patients with community support and services after their visit.
– Peyton Germaine, Psychology 2029
Your internship sounds very interesting! It’s a great opportunity for you to explore social work in a hospital setting. I hope this internship provides you with great hands-on learning that will guide you in your future path!
Your internship sounds like a great opportunity to make a strong impact in the hospital setting!
I really love how you are very clear in what you want to learn and focus on during your internship. You’ve set clear goals and I think you will accomplish all of them and more! This seems like an amazing learning experience for you!
Peyton, I really enjoyed reading your post. I think it’s awesome that you’re already familiar with the ED environment and are using this internship to learn more about the social work side of patient care. I liked what you said about how even small acts of kindness can make a difference for patients who are going through a difficult time
Having this hands on-experience will probably be a great insight on social work, good luck!
Peyton, your internship sounds like a great opportunity to see the important role social workers play in the Emergency Department. I really like that you’re focusing on developing your communication skills and small acts of kindness.
Wow, it sounds like you’re gaining some great experiences so far! I think it’s interesting that you’ve worked as a tech in the Guthrie Lourdes Emergency Department — I think this prior experience can give you some valuable insights as you continue to work with the counselors and social workers, particularly how technological support can reallocate irrelevant administrative work to those who are best at it. Moreover, being able to connect classroom concepts to actual clinical work is an incredibly valuable part of the internship. I feel this can actually strengthen your communication, especially your active listening and nonverbal skills, by interacting with patients where these skills are paramount in care.
It’s incredibly easy to overlook the hard work done by those professionals, but it’s important to recognize their contributions. They are a key player in our emergency services, and, even if not apparent, their impact is monumental to their patients’ recovery.
I hope your work with the Guthrie Lourdes Emergency Department can give you some insight as to whether this is a career you’d like to pursue. Keep up the great work!