"Taking Stock"

Henry Maier

May is frequently the month when care workers plan for new and more challenging positions, or it marks the anniversary of their employment. Either of these occasional transitions might be a good time for stocktaking of one's care-giving competence.

Allow me to suggest that each one of you make an inventory of your actual practice.

1. For such an account, write down the highlights and sense of success that you have of your care-giving interactions (just note in key words the care practices during the past year of which you are proud). Underline those interventions which deserve special recognition.

2. Now start a second column citing episodes in your care work about which you feel uneasy, or those situations in which you want to develop more effective and sensitive competence.

3. Could you try to start a third column in which you note down what you imagine the youngsters in your care say, in your absence, about your work with them?

4. Start a fourth column in which you note your commitment to develop competence and knowledge in particular areas of care practice.

After having done this inventory, read it for yourself in order to sum up the qualities of your care practice. Emphasize the specific learning and practice experiences you want to achieve in the next three months. Share this inventory with your supervisor, or a few trusted colleagues.

Also I would be interested in reading your write-up, with or without your name, if you think I can be of assistance to you.

With this kind of review, I'm sure you're well on your way to being a professional care-worker-on-the-go. Have fun. Good luck.