Field Instructors' Perspectives on Foundation Year MSW Students' Preplacement Anxiety

Abstract

This study elicited 39 field instructors' perspectives on the anxiety that students experience as they begin field placements. Field instructors rated students as significantly more anxious than did students themselves, and although field instructors believed anxiety interferes with learning to a greater extent than did students, they did not believe its effect is significant. Field instructors are attuned and sensitive to student fears but have different concerns, primarily focused on students' attitudes and motivations for learning. In addition, field instructors feel challenged in their role, given competing pressures for their time. Implications for support of both students and field instructors are discussed.

Keywords:

• anxiety
• field placement
• field instruction