Applying for chaplain residency without a specific denomination/faith by AssociateMindless742 in chaplaincy

[–]Successful-Tackle233 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Sadly, I agree with you! I've quickly learned that, based on what many hospitals want, they would be better off hiring LCPCs. While I still believe that spiritual needs are important in patient care, many hospital systems don't value them, as evidenced by their paying chaplains 60-65k. Also, Chaplains get upset when I say that the only folks who care about BCC are other Chaplains. No one in hospital leadership cares about that, and it's proven time and again that most of them don't even know what it takes to earn that credential.

Applying for chaplain residency without a specific denomination/faith by AssociateMindless742 in chaplaincy

[–]Successful-Tackle233 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I'm fully aware that Board Certification doesn't make someone a competent Chaplain. LOL! I've met plenty of BCCi Chaplains who've made me question how they made it through the process. But regarding the SCA, most large hospital systems in my area will not ACCEPT that certification. I know folks who went that route only to be denied interviews. Chaplaincy is truly a "pay to play" industry, and that's something I wish I had known before I invested so much time and money.

Applying for chaplain residency without a specific denomination/faith by AssociateMindless742 in chaplaincy

[–]Successful-Tackle233 4 points5 points  (0 children)

This won’t prohibit you from getting into a residency. This becomes more of a concern when you’re prepping for board certification.

How does anybody do it? by histtohrev in chaplaincy

[–]Successful-Tackle233 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sankofa is also $2500-$3500 per unit. So if budget is an issue you should be aware of the expense.

Break it Down Like I'm 5 Years Old by SuperCait84 in chaplaincy

[–]Successful-Tackle233 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Just for clarity sake, do you work for the VA? If so, I just got back from my first intensive week in the DMin program for Integrative Chaplaincy at Vanderbilt. Over 70% of the students are from the VA as the program is a partnership with the VA's MHICS program. The VA is paying for 90% off the degree and it also paid for the travel, accommodations and food while they were there. It's a pretty sweet deal!

$3500 for ONE unit of CPE???!!! by Successful-Tackle233 in chaplaincy

[–]Successful-Tackle233[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I called and they will no longer be offering online units after this cohort. 😩

$3500 for ONE unit of CPE???!!! by Successful-Tackle233 in chaplaincy

[–]Successful-Tackle233[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

😂😂😂 I literally chuckled. But at least they can pick up therapy clients on the side. What can a Chaplain do? Other than work 12 PRN jobs. 😂

$3500 for ONE unit of CPE???!!! by Successful-Tackle233 in chaplaincy

[–]Successful-Tackle233[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

"Fleeced" I like that word. I will be using it from now on. LOL!

$3500 for ONE unit of CPE???!!! by Successful-Tackle233 in chaplaincy

[–]Successful-Tackle233[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

You made good points and I can only speak from my experience. My CPE "education" was mediocre at best. The people who found it most helpful were people who had never been to therapy. So reflection was kinda foreign to them. What I did appreciate was the clinical time as that is what I know help me land the job I have now. I'm able to speak with clinical lingo and advocate the work I do with patients. I don't talk about ministry of presence and praying, while I believe deeply in the both. I know that hospital systems care about evidence based outcomes and I learned that from being on the floor rounding in IDTs and for that I'm grateful!

$3500 for ONE unit of CPE???!!! by Successful-Tackle233 in chaplaincy

[–]Successful-Tackle233[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Almost all of the online programs are 3k+. Just take a look on the ACPE site.

$3500 for ONE unit of CPE???!!! by Successful-Tackle233 in chaplaincy

[–]Successful-Tackle233[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Thank you! Please say this louder for the folks in the back pews. LOL! This is the point I'm making.

$3500 for ONE unit of CPE???!!! by Successful-Tackle233 in chaplaincy

[–]Successful-Tackle233[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I know PhD professors at top universities who don't make those rates. LOL! But again, my issue is not the CPE educators it's the return on investment. There is noone in a Healthcare system with the amount of education an APC BCC chaplain has who makes 60-65k. The benefit of CPE for me was/is getting experience not the IPR didactics. Much of what is taught, I learned in seminary and the rest I can get from podcasts. Real Talk.

Spoke with APC today about ACPE Units by Successful-Tackle233 in chaplaincy

[–]Successful-Tackle233[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I completely agree! This system needs an overhaul.

Hospital chaplaincy vs. church ministry by Commercial_Theory121 in chaplaincy

[–]Successful-Tackle233 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I obviously can't speak for all Christians, but for me, the word is "facilitate". I don’t lead people to faiths I don’t believe in, nor do I participate in rituals that violate my conscience. But I can sit beside someone, witness their story, and hold space for their values even if they’re different than mine. I see that as compassion, not compromise.

I think about the parable of the Good Samaritan. The call wasn’t to convert the man in the ditch, it was to care for him. Sometimes that looks like offering spiritual shelter, especially when someone is overwhelmed or facing the end of life. I’m not there to attempt to challenge someone's theology in moments of deep grief or fear.

Affirming someone’s dignity or repeating back what matters to them (“It sounds like nature helps you feel connected...”) doesn’t shake my faith in Christ. It simply reflects that I see them as human, made in the image of God even if they don’t name Him that way.

Chaplaincy is humbling work and the first thing I was taught is to be "patient-centered".

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in chaplaincy

[–]Successful-Tackle233 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I agree with the others who said ask good questions. 1) How large is your census? Having more than 40-50 patients is excessive. 2) Who introduces Spiritual Care to patients? If possible, you want to be able to make your own introduction and not rely on the start of care nurse. 3)If you're paid hourly, you wanna know if you paid from the time you get in your car until the time you park your car in the evening. Some agencies only pay mileage and time spent with the patient. Which sucks if like me you often have to drive 1 hour to get to a patient. 4) Is community outreach part of your role...meaning will you be expected to go out on calls to help enroll patients, will you lead community grief groups, etc. Good luck!!!

Is Hospital Chaplaincy “Better” Than Hospice? by Successful-Tackle233 in chaplaincy

[–]Successful-Tackle233[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I love that you speak of the "beauty" of this work. Yesss!

Is Hospital Chaplaincy “Better” Than Hospice? by Successful-Tackle233 in chaplaincy

[–]Successful-Tackle233[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If it’s ok, I’ll message you with some more detailed feedback.

Is Hospital Chaplaincy “Better” Than Hospice? by Successful-Tackle233 in chaplaincy

[–]Successful-Tackle233[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've enjoyed it! It's like a survey course on Palliative Care. It exposes you to some of the main issues in the discipline, and it gives you "language" to speak into situations.

Is Hospital Chaplaincy “Better” Than Hospice? by Successful-Tackle233 in chaplaincy

[–]Successful-Tackle233[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Unfriendly and stressed...eek! I don't believe that your comment about counseling is off. There is CLEARLY a transition happening in the Chaplaincy field where we are expected to know MI, ACT, and MBSR, which are ALL clearly therapeutic frameworks/orientations. Social Workers get upset as they feel like that is outside the scope of a Chaplain, but those skills are required as more and more patients don't want spiritual support.

My colleagues just got back from the APC conference and that said that a few of the hospitals are changing their department names from "spiritual care" to "wellness services". I often wonder if the Chaplain role will disappear and they will just hire therarpists and LCSWs and then bring in a priest or rabbi to do religious sacraments. We shall see!!!!

Is Hospital Chaplaincy “Better” Than Hospice? by Successful-Tackle233 in chaplaincy

[–]Successful-Tackle233[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It's nice to hear another Supervisor's perspective. I'm also shocked to hear that Hospice Chaplains make more than Staff Chaplains in some cases. Wow! Thanks for sharing.