Being a Social Worker in a medical facility can be very rewarding. Unfortunately, the role of a Social Worker in most medical facilities leaves little time to perform what one believes is the traditional roles of a Social Worker--assisting people to reach their highest potential. Most of our time is filled with non-professional tasks such as making referrals to the nursing facilities for placement, gathering the paperwork necessary to complete the placements, and filling out various forms. Little time is allowed to meet with patients and their families to assist them in adjusting to a newly diagnosed illness or discuss life changing events. Frequently, you are the target of patient and family complaints and their anger because you are unable to provide the service or assistance they believe they should have. There is still the belief that a Social Worker can fix anything. But due to service limitations, policy changes, and, now, insurance regulations, a Social Worker is frequently the one to deliver the unwanted message that something can't be done or isn't available. Despite this, there are always those little events that make you realize exactly why you are where you are. Would I choose this career again? Most likely...it's my nature to try to help people.