become a speech pathologist

I’ve been an SLP since 1983 and I love it! I have worked in public and private schools, hospital, private practice, rehab clinic and contract. Right now I work with children of all ages and I look forward to every day of work.

Congratulations to all those who have chosen this wonderful field! You are changing the world for the people you work with.

Today was the first day of my new job as an official, certified speech pathologist. I should have started last week, but there was a hiccup in getting my accreditation and certification in order (a mixup in my clinical hours submission). But that got all cleared up and today, officially, I can put R.SLP at the end of my name on paperwork.

The actual day of work today was kind of slow: lots of paperwork and visits from parents. But I got a jump on looking over some files, and it looks like I’m going to be working with a good team. And the kids. I only met a few today, but they seem like they’re going to be a lot of fun. I just hope I can take some time to enjoy them during my first year of stress and headaches…

Had my convocation yesterday; it was a little long, as expected, but I liked dressing up in the robe and shaking the Dean’s hand. There were a few whoops and hollers when my name was called, and he said to me, “Sounds like you brought a fan club,” something he probably says a lot because he said the exact same thing to me when I got my B.Sc. six years ago. But it was a good experience and now my degree is ceremonially official. And I picked up my thesis today, so now all I really have to do is send away for my clinical hours, and I’ll be certified. Then, the big challenge: trying to set up an interview. It’s been a LOOOONG time since I’ve had to do a job interview, and I’m already nervous. But I have enough people kicking my ass over it so I think it’ll happen soon.

Well, I just got home from a half-day at work, and I found an envelope from CASLPA in my mailbox. My blood ran cold, but I immediately ran in and sat down on the couch to read it. The results? I passed. Huzzah and hooray! Now I will have lunch, when the knots in my stomach have unwound.

I’ve been a speech pathologist for 32 years (and still going…). I’ve worked in hospitals, nursing facilities, a university, a private preschool, and, for the last 20 years or so, in the public schools. Lots of variety and lots of need for people, so do it!

I’m not having a good night, folks. I write my CASLPA certification exam tomorrow (four hours, two hundred questions) and The Test Fear is setting in. A headache is creeping up on me, I can’t concentrate on anything, and with every page or note I review or re-write, the words “there’s no WAY you’re going to do this” keep echoing in my head. I’m doing my best, but it’s just so daunting; for every fact or theory I remember there are five more I need to review. I know it’s almost pointless to keep studying, but I kind of have to.

I normally don’t react like this to tests, but this one’s a BIG one, and unlike any other test I’ve ever written (except maybe the GRE), my entire life pivots around this test. I don’t know. Maybe I should have started studying earlier, even though I did start at the end of January; maybe 2 months wasn’t enough. Maybe I should have dedicated more time to it. Maybe I should have tried harder to get a hold of some other people who were studying for the exam too. I don’t know that any of that would have helped my mood right now. I’d still be worrying, probably just as bad. But maybe then I’d at least be prepared and feel unprepared, as opposed to what I think I am now. Let’s hope I’m not flushing $400 and the next year of my life down the drain.

I’m thinking about going back to school to become a speech pathologist. Is it worth having to take a few undergrad classes (15cred or less) to do this? I think I’d really love it.

Got my certificate of clinical competency in the mail this weekend! CCC-SLP!:)

Passed my boards end of 2007!

realized i dont want to do this with my life