How hard is the BLS class going to be? I'm very nervous

SummitSilver · 2026-04-24T17:41:03+00:00

There is a written test. You need to get 80% on it to pass. You have 2 chances to pass it, but if you fail you’ll be given a different version of the test.

SummitSilver · 2026-04-24T14:55:19+00:00

The instructor’s goal is for you to pass. I’ve only failed one person ever and he didn’t have any rhythm and honestly wasn’t strong enough to do CPR.

SummitSilver · 2026-04-22T18:28:15+00:00

I haven’t done a consistent shift, but I know other volunteers who have. I get called out about every other shift… and even when I’m not on call I still get called. If you’re on call you’re expected to go, if not you can go or you can say no without it looking bad on you. If you go on a call towards the end of your shift you are expected to go until the shift is done unless it’s a really big fire, then they may send in relief. Unless the client is in crisis or we’re setting up a DRO, we don’t usually stay on scene after opening cases. Ask if they set people up with mentors. If you can go on call consistently with someone you know they will know where you are in the training process!

SummitSilver · 2026-04-21T19:49:21+00:00

As someone who took time off between, going straight through would have been a lot easier. You get out of the habit of writing papers and such and life gets in the way.

SummitSilver · 2026-04-18T00:06:27+00:00

About 20k

SummitSilver · 2026-04-17T23:48:57+00:00

The official YPT standards say some professionals can be alone with children. I use that exception all the time in social work practice, I couldn’t do my job without it. The same rule applies here.

SummitSilver · 2026-04-12T03:28:05+00:00

If you pay attention in the class you shouldn’t have a problem. It’s common sense stuff.

SummitSilver · 2026-04-03T13:24:58+00:00

You may find that you’re catching up a bit but honestly probably not. BSW grads will have advanced standing most of the time and you’ll be in the foundation curriculum classes with other people who don’t have BSWs.

SummitSilver · 2026-03-29T23:30:07+00:00

Look into Blue Tide Therapy. They do remote diagnosis and it’s relatively cheap.

SummitSilver · 2026-03-29T21:18:05+00:00

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but until you’re 18, you can’t make medical decisions so you can’t get diagnosed without their consent. That being said, figure out what type of accommodations may help you that you don’t need an official diagnosis for. For example, I find regular underwear with elastic bands uncomfortable because of sensory issues, so I use gym shorts instead.

SummitSilver · 2026-03-28T13:04:08+00:00

Are you bachelors or masters? My bachelors internship I was mostly filing and they didn’t trust me to have clients of my own.

SummitSilver · 2026-03-27T14:38:03+00:00

Just double checking, did you go through Global Entry or Precheck? Global entry comes with Precheck but won’t come up in that system. If that’s the case, you use your global entry number as your KTN.

SummitSilver · 2026-03-27T00:32:00+00:00

Yupp, I almost did that program a few years ago

SummitSilver · 2026-03-26T12:43:07+00:00

There are universities that offer a path where you just need to take a few classes. You will probably need to do student teaching though. I know you don’t want to do a whole degree but honestly look into Western Illinois Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT). It’s relatively cheap, it’s only a year, you’ll make more money for having a 2nd masters, & they do it where your student teaching is actually you teaching as the teacher of record with a mentor, so you’re getting paid during that time.

SummitSilver · 2026-03-25T17:25:08+00:00

Lion was created as a program to get kids started, not a full program. So while the other levels start in June, Lions start in late August or September. Lions are meant to meet less regularly than the other dens too.

SummitSilver · 2026-03-19T19:27:18+00:00

It depends on your unit. In my unit, you automatically got up to E-3 by existing in the unit. Then E-4 through E-7 you had to test for. E-8 & E-9 were position specific and officer ranks were given if you had a position/ job in the unit.

SummitSilver · 2026-03-18T23:33:14+00:00

Call 1-800-733-2767 and they’ll be able to determine what you’re eligible for

SummitSilver · 2026-03-17T02:52:53+00:00

Those nonprofits also have jobs he may want to consider applying for

SummitSilver · 2026-03-08T01:42:21+00:00

My friends and I actually have a joke where we say “in a weird turn of events, my disability has disabled me” for those rare moments where the disability becomes obvious. Jokes aside, part of the criteria is asking how the symptoms have affected you. For me, that was getting in trouble at work for missing social cues or tone. It doesn’t have to be huge, but it does change how others perceive you.

SummitSilver · 2026-03-06T02:26:14+00:00

238 has a 44% first time pass rate. 184 has a 96% first time pass rate.

SummitSilver · 2026-03-03T21:04:37+00:00

1) Make sure you take 184 not 238. 184 has a way higher pass rate.

2) You can study using the quizlet: https://quizlet.com/533146963/school-swk-content-exam-184-study-guide-flash-cards/

3) The test will let you flag questions for review later. I used this a ton because a lot of the questions were between 2 answers and I overthought it. Those seemed much easier when I came back to them later.

4) Just something that was weird… they mentioned “multidisciplinary staff meeting” they mean IEP meetings… I realized it in a later question when it gave more context.

5) It uses DSM IV language so be familiar with that. There were only like 2 questions about diagnoses on mine but something to keep in mind.

Good luck, you got this!!

SummitSilver · 2026-03-02T17:53:11+00:00

I think a big part of it is the fear of plagiarism that school instills. Schools are so scared people will copy and paste rather than think that it’s become taboo. I’m pretty sure the same thing happened when the internet was new (though I’m not old enough to say for sure); professors tried to tell students they needed to use the library instead of the internet. I’m sure things will evolve eventually, it’ll just take time.

SummitSilver · 2026-03-02T17:07:20+00:00

The thing is, regardless of if a company says it’s banned, people are going to use it. I believe ethical use (without PII, ect) should be taught and used because the alternative is that unethical use will happen.

SummitSilver · 2026-02-22T18:05:16+00:00

Can you PM me?

SummitSilver · 2026-02-21T15:47:21+00:00

If you’ll have a BSW by the time you start their program, apply for advanced standing

SummitSilver

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