A career in hospital social work: do you have what it takes?

Hospitals present a variety of complex challenges for social work practitioners. Clinical social workers deal with emotionally intense and potentially draining cases in a setting where they are often faced with threats to their identity or existence. They must balance their role as patient advocates with institutional needs and be able to adjust to ever-changing models of health care delivery. Why do some social workers thrive in this environment while others struggle to survive? This article draws upon the author's twenty-year career in hospital social work to provide a "snapshot" of the clinical social work role in teaching hospitals. Included in the discussion are observations about the unique aspects of clinical practice in the hospital and strategies for surviving power struggles, turf battles and hospital "politics."