Child Life Practicum Narrative Report

During this practicum, I worked as a child life practicum student at CoxHealth Dee Ann White Women's and Children's Hospital. The child life department consists with three full time child life specialists, one part time child life specialist, and child life volunteers and student. Child life department provides care and services at pediatrics, PICU, NICU, surgery units, Emergency Department, Neurotrauma, etc. I worked with pediatric patients age range of 0-18, and their families including siblings, and also, I worked with children of hospitalized patients. I shadowed child life specialists in those department and observed interactions conducted by child life specialists. I also interacted with patients and families independently to introduce
child life services, conduct assessment, and plan and implement developmentally-appropriate and therapeutic activities. The estimated time I spent directly with patients and families were about 75-80 % of my practicum hours, and 25-20 % of my practicum hours were spent for support activities. About 70% of my practicum hours, I had supervision of my supervisor, and my supervisor was always open to meet and discuss any concerns. Even the time I do not meet with my supervisor, I had supervision of at least one of the child life specialists. Confidentiality was kept and patients’ and families’ information mainly discussed in the safe place (i.e. nursing station, or the child life office). I engaged in multidisciplinary huddle and was also involved in community engagement, too. I was provided specific instruction and tasks I need to complete during this practicum, and I was able to have support to complete those tasks.