The fieldwork needs of graduate social work students in an oncology placement: Survey research

The fieldwork practicum is a major component of social work education and t raining. It provides a venue for students to integrate theoretical concepts into practice skills. As they begin fieldwork, students experience a varie ty of stresses as they are challenged to grow professionally. This study ex amined, from the students' perspective, experiences related to second-year field placement in an oncology setting. Students were culled from 11 major cancer centers across the United States. The study identified the factors c onsidered to be difficult and demanding as well as helpful in the students' overall adjustment to the setting. The authors discuss the implications fo r field instructors in oncology social work and offer recommendations for g raduate students choosing this specialized area of practice.