social worker required education

How to Become a Social Worker

Social workers provide support to vulnerable individuals, families, and communities and serve as policymakers to improve healthcare and social services for all. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a 9% growth for social work jobs between 2021 and 2031, faster than the national average.

Explore this guide to learn more about how to become a social worker.

Featured Online Social Work Degrees

Steps to become a social worker.

• Complete a bachelor’s degree in social work (BSW) or a related field.
• Pursue a master’s degree in social work (MSW).
• Complete fieldwork requirements.
• Apply for state licensure.
• Pass an ASWB examination.
• Consider additional certifications and credentials.

Social work offers an array of employment opportunities interacting with diverse populations in a variety of settings. The path to becoming a social worker depends on your professional goals and the licensing requirements in the state where you intend to practice.

The steps to a social work career begin with earning at least a bachelor’s degree and fulfilling licensing and certification requirements.

Earn a Social Work Degree

Your level of education determines what kind of social work career and licensing you can pursue. A bachelor’s in social work or a related field typically qualifies you for entry-level positions. A master’s enables you to pursue licensure and clinical positions in areas, such as mental health, child welfare, and school social work. More advanced clinical, administrative, and teaching roles require a doctorate in social work.

Bachelor’s Degree

Earning a bachelor’s in social work (BSW) or a related field, such as psychology or public health, can lead to entry-level employment in the helping professions, including community and family services, casework management, and substance abuse counseling.

Students can complete a BSW in four years depending on program requirements and whether you attend full or part time. Most degrees comprise 120 credits, including fieldwork and internship requirements. A BSW serves as the minimum educational requirement for initial licensure in most states and for entry into a master’s program in social work.

Master’s Degree

Most states require a master’s in social work (MSW) for all clinical positions and for independent practice. This degree typically requires 60 credits completed over 15-24 months. If you have a BSW accredited by the Council of Social Work Education (CSWE), you may qualify for advanced standing that allows you to complete the degree in one year.

The MSW curriculum consists of foundational courses and advanced study that prepares you for a variety of practice area specializations. Expect to complete up to 1,000 hours of fieldwork, including 500-600 hours in your chosen specialization. Most states require an MSW from a CSWE-accredited institution to qualify for licensure and begin social work practice.

Doctoral Degree

A doctorate in social work (DSW) can open doors to advanced clinical, administrative, and leadership positions. Unlike the research-based Ph.D. in social work, the DSW is a practice- oriented degree. Admission requirements vary by DSW program but generally include a CSWE-accredited MSW and at least two years of social work experience. The degree requires approximately 50 credits taken over 3-5 years.

Because DSW students typically hold an MSW and continue to work in professional practice while earning their degree, these programs do not include fieldwork requirements. Most programs involve a capstone project or portfolio presentation. Although a DSW demonstrates considerable expertise in social work, it is not a requirement for licensure or certification.

Complete Fieldwork Requirements

As an integral component of the BSW and MSW degrees, fieldwork helps you apply the knowledge learned in coursework to professional practice, preparing learners for workplace responsibilities.

Social work students gain field experience in an array of settings, such as hospitals, schools, community agencies, and correctional facilities. Placement sites must provide a licensed social worker to serve as the supervisor for the field experience, overseeing and evaluating student performance in the practice situation.

The CSWE requires 400 hours of field experience for its accredited BSW programs and 900 hours for accredited MSW programs. However, each state regulates the profession and licenses social workers differently, including standards for fieldwork and clinical contact hours.

Apply for State Licensure or Exam Approval

Licensure regulations vary by state, but most MSW-holders need a state license to practice. Many states require social workers with a BSW to obtain licenses as well.

Licensure candidates must submit an application to their state board, pay application fees, and receive approval to take the standardized exam administered by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB). Some states, such as Texas, only consider candidates for licensure after they take the ASWB exam. In these cases, candidates apply for approval to take the exam before applying for licensure.

For accurate information about licensure requirements, check your state board of social work website.

Pass an ASWB Examination

Licensure requires a passing score on the ASWB licensing exam. You must first obtain approval from your state social work regulatory board before you can register for the exam. Once you have registered and paid the fee for your exam level, you can schedule an exam date at one of the Pearson VUE testing centers. The ASWB offers online practice exams to help you become familiar with content areas and question formats.

The type of license required for your scope of practice determines which exam you must take:

Bachelor’s Exam

• Degree/Experience Required: BSW, no experience
• Exam Fee: $230
• Exam Focus: Knowledge and skills for basic, generalist practice

Master’s Exam

• Degree/Experience Required: MSW, no experience
• Exam Focus: Application of specialized knowledge and advanced skills

Advanced Generalist Exam

• Degree/Experience Required: MSW, two years of experience in a nonclinical setting
• Exam Fee: $260
• Exam Focus: Advanced generalist social work (including macro-level practice) in nonclinical settings

Clinical Exam

• Degree/Experience Required: MSW, two years of experience in a clinical setting
• Exam Focus: Application of specialized clinical knowledge and advanced clinical skills

Explore Requirements by State

Clinical social workers must have a license to work in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Nonclinical social workers must also obtain a license or certificate in most states. Licensed social workers usually need a master’s degree and at least two years of supervised, post-graduate work experience. State licensure boards ultimately determine who is eligible to become a licensed social worker, and consequently, the criteria for clinical and nonclinical positions vary from state to state. This directory allows you to browse the licensing and certification criteria for social workers across the country. To learn more, visit the state pages linked below.

Choose Your State Below

Read more about these online social work programs that are prominently featured on our site. Find information regarding accreditation, cost, admissions requirements, degrees offered, and program overviews to help you find the right online social work degree program for you.

Consider Additional Social Work Certifications

Although not required, social workers often pursue voluntary certification in their areas of specialization to advance in their careers and enhance their personal and professional reputations. Depending on where you work and your specialization, certifications can boost your earnings and make you more competitive in the job market.

The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) offers several professional social work and advanced practice specialty certifications, including credentials for clinical social workers; health social workers; gerontology social workers; and child, youth, and family social workers. Certification qualifications vary, but all credentials require either a BSW or MSW, licensure, and professional experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to become a social worker.

You need at least a bachelor’s degree in social work or a related field for an entry-level social work position. BSW degrees typically take about four years to complete if attending full time. Clinical positions require an MSW and licensure, which can take two years beyond the bachelor’s degree. Accelerated MSW programs can lead to a degree in 12-18 months.

How do I start a career in social work?

Once you earn your degree, you can use your college placement service, government employment listings, online professional communities, and other social media platforms that connect social workers with career resources and provide networking opportunities. Joining a professional association, such as the NASW, provides access to employment centers, job banks, and professional development resources to help you launch your career.

What skills are required to become a social worker?

A social work degree provides the foundational knowledge and organizational and leadership skills necessary to enter social work practice. As one of the helping professions, social work also requires empathy for at-risk individuals and vulnerable populations, good communication skills, and the ability to make informed decisions in difficult situations.

Can I become a social worker without a degree?

For entry-level social work jobs, you need at least a bachelor’s degree. Clinical positions require an MSW. However, if you want to enter a social work-related field without the requisite degree, you might consider becoming a community health worker, childcare provider, case manager aide, or teacher assistants. Volunteer work with nonprofit organizations and community centers also provides a pathway into the field.

Reviewed By: Danielle Golightly, LMSW

Danielle Golightly is a licensed social worker in Michigan with over 10 years of experience. She is currently the family advocate at a child advocacy center where she works with individuals and families from diverse backgrounds. Previously, Danielle served as a victim advocate at the same agency, providing crisis intervention and psychoeducation services to families impacted by child abuse. She has also supervised graduate-level social work students and mentored undergraduates throughout their internships.

Danielle is passionate about child welfare, victim advocacy, and trauma.

Danielle is a paid member of the Red Ventures freelance Education Integrity Network.

Take the next step toward your future in social work.

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• Social Work at a Glance
• Prepare for Your Education

Social work education at the baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral levels shapes the profession’s future through the instruction of competent professionals. Additional information about each degree level is outlined below.  

Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work (BSW)

A BSW is the minimum requirement for most social work positions. The BSW degree prepares individuals for generalist practice positions (such as casework), where you engage with clients (e.g., individuals, families, communities), assess their needs, link them to services, and monitor their progress. Accredited BSW programs require a minimum of 400 hours of supervised field experience.

Master’s Degree in Social Work (MSW)

MSW programs prepare graduates for work in their chosen field of concentration or specialization and include developing skills required to perform clinical assessments, manage large caseloads, take on supervisory roles, engage in policy-level advocacy, and explore new ways of drawing on social services to meet the needs of clients and communities. MSW programs last 2 years and include a minimum of 900 hours of supervised field instruction. If you have a BSW, you may be eligible for an advanced standing program that allows you to complete your MSW in just 1 year. Visit the  What Do Social Workers Do  page for examples of where individuals work with BSWs or MSWs.

Doctorate Degree in Social Work

There are two types of social work doctorate degrees: the practice doctorate, typically referred to as doctor of social work (DSW) and the doctor of philosophy (PhD). The practice doctorate curriculum varies from program to program, but it generally emphasizes advanced training beyond the BSW and MSW degrees. The PhD largely prepares individuals for research and academic careers. For more information visit the Group for the Advancement of Doctoral Education in Social Work website . 

Social Work Licensure

In most states you can be licensed with a BSW, which prepares you for practice at the generalist level. Individuals with an MSW can also pursue a license. Clinical work typically requires an MSW, completion of a licensing exam, and supervised hours (post-MSW). All states and territories have licensing, certification, or registration requirements for social work practice. Most jurisdictions require an individual to have a social work degree from a CSWE-accredited social work program* to be eligible for licensure or sit for a licensing exam . Licensing exists to provide state and provincial governments with a way to verify that a social worker has the skills and knowledge necessary to provide a safe level of practice. Licensing also establishes social work practice as a separate and distinct branch of mental health services and gives governments a way to monitor the professional conduct of social workers. For more information visit the Association of Social Work Boards website . *  This may include a CASWE-accredited degree (from the Canadian social work accreditor, recognized through an MOU with CSWE and CASWE), or an internationally earned ISWDRES -evaluated degree. Jurisdictions may permit students that graduate from a CSWE candidate program to pursue licensure. In such cases, students are encouraged to review licensing statues in their location and contact their licensing board.   

Become a Social Worker: Education and Licensure Requirements

Written by Rebecca Munday | Edited by Diana Zaremba | Reviewed by Melissa Bronstein | Last Updated: April 2024

Since the practice of social work first began in 1898, social workers have addressed psychological and social problems for individuals and communities, bringing awareness to the needs of underserved populations.

Today, the practice continues to expand. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects the field of social work will have about 53,800 openings every year between 2022 and 2032. Learn more about becoming a social worker and help others with their psychosocial needs.

Popular Online MSW Programs

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

What Is a Social Worker?

Social work focuses on improving the well-being of people and their communities and helping meet their needs, including housing, food, employment, mental health care, and childcare.

Social workers help individuals, families, and groups navigate issues and improve their lives. They assess clients’ needs, advocate for resources in the community, connect clients to resources, manage case files, and respond to crises. Social workers work with people from many backgrounds, including:

• Active military, veterans, and their families
• Older adults
• Children and families
• Individuals experiencing homelessness
• People with mental health and substance use conditions
• Incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals

Employers in healthcare and the government hire most social workers. However, professionals work in various settings, such as private practice, correctional facilities, nonprofits, and education.

Steps to Become a Social Worker

Becoming a master’s level social worker takes 6-9 years. After completing your bachelor’s and master’s degrees, you must pass the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) exam, apply for a license, and gain experience. These steps vary based on what type of social work you choose and individual state licensure requirements.

1. Earn Your Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) Degree

You can enter your university’s social work program with a high school or GED diploma, a GPA that meets their requirements, and a clean academic record. A bachelor’s degree in social work (BSW) prepares you to enter a master’s in social work (MSW) program with advanced standing or get an entry-level position in social work. Coursework explores social welfare policy, research methods, and human behavior and the social environment.

2. Find an Entry-Level Job in Social Work

Finding an entry-level position in social work can help you continue working through your MSW degree so you can graduate with less debt. You can also get valuable experience with generalist social work as a case manager, care coordinator, policy analyst , or school social worker .

3. Earn Your Master of Social Work (MSW) Degree

Earning a master of social work (MSW) prepares you to apply for your licensed master social worker (LMSW), licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), or your state’s equivalent credential and practice in most areas of social work.

An MSW builds upon your knowledge of social work policy, practicing social work, and human behavior and the social environment. MSW programs accept bachelor’s degrees in related fields, such as psychology, biology, and political science. A BSW allows you to complete your MSW in about half the time.

4. Complete Field Placement or Supervised Experience Requirements

You must complete at least one academic year, or 900 hours, of field placement to earn your MSW. BSW graduates need to complete at least 400 hours, according to the Council of Social Work Education (CSWE).

Field placements provide experience in generalist social work, including case planning, interviewing, and maintaining case files. In most states, field placement does not meet the supervised experience you need to get your LCSW or any license that requires supervised experience post-degree.

5. Apply for Social Work Licensure

To apply for your social work license , you must complete the required education and experience, pass a background check, fill out an application, and pay the application fee. License requirements vary based on your state and license level. Note that license titles vary by state. Check with your state board for more information about requirements and to ensure you complete your application correctly.

• Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker (LBSW): You can apply to be a licensed baccalaureate social worker (LBSW) or your state’s equivalent once you graduate with a BSW. This license makes you eligible to apply for entry-level positions, such as victim advocate and community support worker.
• Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW): Becoming a licensed master social worker (LMSW), or your state’s equivalent, allows you to practice generalist social work in most settings at the macro and mezzo levels independently. You can practice micro or clinical social work under an LCSW’s supervision. You need an MSW and a passing score on the ASWB master’s exam to receive your LMSW.
• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW): You must pass your ASWB clinical exam and complete between 1500 and 4000 hours of supervised experience in clinical social work to become a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) or your state’s equivalent. An LCSW allows you to practice clinical social work, open your own practice, or independently work with people with mental health and substance use conditions.

6. Pass Your ASWB Exam

The Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) exam tests your knowledge of social work practice. You must pass your ASWB exam before receiving state licensure. The exams for each level require knowledge in some of the same areas, such as human development, diversity, and behavior in the environment. The percentage of the exam dedicated to each area varies by license. Learn more about what each ASWB exam focuses on below.

• Bachelor’s Exam: Concepts of abuse and neglect, assessment, human development, diversity, and the behavior in the environment; professional relationships, values, and ethics; and interventions with clients and client systems
• Master’s Exam: Assessment and intervention planning, interventions with clients and client systems, human development, diversity, and the behavior in the environment; professional relationships, values, and ethics
• Advanced Generalist Exam: Interventions processes and techniques for use across systems; professional values and ethics; human development, diversity, and the behavior in the environment; interventions processes and techniques for use with larger systems
• Clinical Exam: Psychotherapy, clinical interventions, and case management; assessment, diagnosis, and treatment planning; human development, diversity, and the behavior in the environment; professional values and ethics

7. Advance Your Career as a Social Worker

To advance your career, you must complete continuing education to renew your license every two years. However, beyond that, you can decide how you want to grow your career to match your goals and interests. Learn more about advancing your career with specialty certifications, an LCSW, and opening your own practice.

• Complete Continuing Education to Renew Your License: You need to complete 3-48 hours of continuing education, depending on your state and licensure type, every two years to renew your license. Many states require a certain amount of continuing education units specific to ethics, domestic or child abuse, and substance use.
• Earn Specialty Certifications from the National Association of Social Workers (NASW): The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) offers certifications in areas such as leadership, clinical practice, and case management. Earn a certification from NASW to show that you meet national standards in your area of expertise.
• Earn your LCSW and Open an Independent Practice: Once you earn your LCSW, you can open your own practice to practice generalist and clinical social work. Independent practice allows you more freedom to choose the population you serve, the people you work with, and the rates you charge.

What to Consider Before Becoming a Social Worker

Salary is one of many factors you should consider when becoming a social worker. Research scopes of practice, specialties, and license requirements to learn more about your desired career.

State License Requirements

Requirements for each license level are similar between states, but they are not the same. Many states allow you to transfer education and experience, even your ASWB exam scores, from another state. If you plan your education and experience around where you want to work, it will be easier and faster for you to get your license and start practicing.

Level of Social Work

Deciding which level of social work you want to practice helps you know which license and education requirements you need to work toward. You can get a job in macro social work as a policy analyst or community support worker with a BSW. However, if you want to work in micro social work, you need a clinical social work license to counsel individuals through trauma and mental health and substance use conditions.

Consider the average salary for social workers in your specialty and compare it to the cost of living in cities and states where you want to live. This will help you understand the purchasing power and standard of living you could have as a social worker. Use these calculations to narrow down the specialties and work settings that interest you most.

Scope of Practice

Deciding how much independence and responsibility you want in your scope of practice helps you choose between becoming an LMSW or an LCSW . LMSWs can only independently practice direct or generalist social work and connect people to resources. They may provide clinical social work but must do it under the supervision of an LCSW.

Clinical social workers practice clinical social work and direct social work . They provide psychotherapy and assess and diagnose mental health and substance use conditions.

Career Path and Specialization

Choosing a social work career path and specialty helps you narrow down the education and experience requirements you need to meet. If you want to work with children and families in individual and family services, you can get an entry-level position as a case manager with a BSW. However, if you want to counsel people who have mental health or substance use conditions, you need an LCSW to assess, diagnose, and treat your clients.

Frequently Asked Questions About Becoming a Social Worker

What is a social worker.

A social worker is a trained professional who helps individuals, families, and groups with their psychosocial needs, such as mental health and substance use conditions, chronic medical conditions, crises, abuse, poverty, homelessness, and hunger. They identify people in need, maintain case files and records, connect individuals to resources, and provide psychotherapy.

How long does it take to become a social worker?

You can become a licensed master social worker (LMSW), or your state’s equivalent, in as little as six years. An LMSW qualifies you for most roles in generalist social work. If you want to become an LCSW, you will spend 8-9 years completing your bachelor’s degree, MSW, and supervised experience.

Are social workers in high demand?

Yes — social worker jobs are projected to grow 7% between 2022 and 2032, 4 percentage points higher than the job outlook for all occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics also projects 11% job growth for social workers in mental health and substance use between 2022 and 2032.

Is it hard to become a social worker?

Becoming a social worker requires 6-9 years of education and experience to become licensed. Entry-level positions do not pay as well as other occupations, so passion and determination are key to becoming a licensed social worker.

Page last reviewed on April 8, 2024

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Portions of the following article were drafted using an in-house natural language generation platform . The article was then reviewed, fact-checked, and edited by multiple members of our editorial team prior to publishing.

If you’re drawn to a profession that allows you to make a difference in people’s lives, social work might just be your calling. Social workers play a crucial role in helping individuals, groups, and families manage and overcome life’s challenges.

But what degree do you need to become a social worker? Learn about the various degree paths for aspiring social workers, including accreditation and licensing requirements, to help you decide if a degree in social work is the right decision for you.

We’ll start with the obvious question: Do you need a master’s degree to become a social worker, or is a bachelor’s degree enough? For many roles that you might associate with this field — particularly roles that can diagnose and treat patients — yes, you will need a master’s degree and clinical hours to get the proper social work license.

With that said, there are roles within the social work field — such as working in advocacy or social aid — where a bachelor’s degree may be sufficient. You’ll want to check your state board’s requirements for the social work roles you have in mind, as requirements vary by state.

Degree Paths for Aspiring Social Workers

As you begin your journey to becoming a social worker, you’ll find multiple educational paths available. Social work degrees vary from associate to doctoral degrees, each offering unique opportunities and preparing you for various roles within the field.

Associate’s Degree in Social Work

An associate degree in social work is an introductory step into the social services field. This two-year degree combines courses in human services and sociology and provides you with foundational knowledge in social work. You’ll learn topics including case management, criminal justice, advocacy, social problems, community resources, and psychology.

An associate’s degree not only paves the way for advanced education in social work but can also open doors to entry-level social service jobs that don’t require licensure. These roles can include community outreach, case management assistance, and school aid. However, check your state’s requirements, as some roles require more advanced degrees and licenses.

Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work (BSW)

A bachelor’s degree in social work (BSW ) provides a comprehensive foundation for entering the profession. As a BSW student, you’ll explore various broad topics, such as human behavior, social justice, psychology, addiction, and social welfare policies.

An accredited BSW program often requires hours of supervised field experience, allowing you to apply academic lessons in real-world scenarios, gain practical skills, and develop a foundation for your work.

This degree prepares you for non-clinical roles in case management and administration, sometimes under the supervision of a master’s level social worker. You can pursue roles as a licensed baccalaureate social worker, case manager, or probation officer. However, check your state for specific requirements. Some states require a master’s degree to become a licensed social worker.

Master’s Degree in Social Work (MSW)

A master’s degree in social work (MSW) offers additional opportunities by qualifying you for advanced practice social work in various settings and roles. An MSW degree opens up specialized roles in healthcare, mental health, and substance use treatment.

Becoming a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) requires many clinical hours and additional tests. LCSWs can provide clinical services for their clients, including diagnosing and treating conditions.

Doctorate Degree in Social Work

A doctorate degree in social work is the highest level of educational attainment in this field. These programs prepare students for advanced research, supervision, and policy analysis. Doctorate holders can teach at the university level or pursue high-level management positions.

A doctorate is ideal for those who wish to contribute to the field through research, shape social work education, or influence social policy at a high level.

Importance of Accreditation in Social Work Programs

Accreditation plays a crucial role in ensuring the quality of a social work program. The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredits social work programs in the U.S., ensuring they meet educational and industry standards. This accreditation is often a requirement for licensure in social work.

Licensing and Certification for Social Workers

To practice as a social worker, you typically need to obtain a state license, which involves completing a social work degree, passing your state-specific licensing requirements and exams, and obtaining a certain amount of fieldwork hours in most states. Fieldwork hours vary but can add up to 3,000 hours for clinical-level social work. Check your state’s requirements for more specifics.

Is a Degree in Social Work the Right Path for You?

Deciding whether to pursue a social work degree involves carefully considering several factors. Understand your state’s specific educational and training requirements, your career ambitions, and whether or not the specialties in social work align with these ambitions.

Understanding job outlook, salary expectations, and potential work environments can help your decision-making process. Reflect on whether you’re interested in macro, mezzo, or micro levels of social work, which can help you narrow down which degree to pursue.

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Online MSW Programs / Guide to Careers in Social Work / How to Become a Social Worker

How to Become a Social Worker

The social work profession is a dynamic career choice for those looking to promote healthy growth and change among vulnerable populations. Social workers are individuals who believe in human connection to empower others.

Whether you are interested in working with youth and family, veterans, elders, LGBTQ communities, individuals experiencing homelessness, individuals with mental health needs or refugees, the following guide will help you navigate the process to launch your social work career in a multitude of settings. Below are common steps to take in order to become a social worker. 

Becoming a social worker in seven common steps:

• Complete a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work or a Related Field
• Pursue a Master’s Degree in Social Work (MSW) or MSW-Equivalent Program
• Complete Fieldwork Hour Requirements
• Complete the ASWB Examination
• Apply for State Social Work Licensure
• Choose a Social Work Career
• Advance Your Practice Through Continued Learning

If you are not sure what a social worker is, what they do or how much they make, check out our  Social Work FAQ  at the bottom of this guide.

1. Complete a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work or a Related Field

• Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) Pathway: If you know right away that a social work profession is your end goal, you could pursue a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) in your undergraduate studies. Coursework for a BSW may include the following classes: Intro to Social Work, Social Work Practice, Human Behavior and the Social Environment, and Social Welfare Policy, which may help prepare you for a career in social work and pursue your Master of Social Work (MSW). One of the benefits of deciding early on to earn a social work degree is the ability to enroll in advanced standing programs for your master’s degree. These programs typically take a shorter amount of time to complete than a traditional standing program.
• Non-BSW Pathway: If you are not entirely sure that a social work career is the best option when you start your undergraduate studies, you are still able to pursue an MSW and work in the field without having a specific undergraduate degree in social work. It is not uncommon for students who do end up pursuing their MSW to have a different undergraduate degree. Sociology, psychology, political science, women’s and gender studies, human development, early childhood development, and peace and social justice are just some examples of potential undergraduate studies that will serve you well for the future pursuit of an MSW.

While any bachelor’s degree will create social work job opportunities, obtaining a financially stable social work career with flexibility and choice will require a master’s degree.

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2. Pursue a Master’s Degree in Social Work (MSW) or MSW-Equivalent Program

Earning a Master of Social Work (MSW) from a CSWE-accredited program is typically necessary for licensure as a social worker. There are many MSW programs available online and on campus. Some of your best professional growth and learning could happen through your mentorship during your internship experience.

• Accredited MSW Programs: Whether or not you are pursuing a BSW or MSW, you will want to confirm that the program you choose is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). States typically require applicants to graduate from a program that has CSWE accreditation, if they wish to be licensed and practice as social workers. If you attend an accredited program, it means the program is following a set of standards representing best practice when it comes to providing students with an education in social work. It may also ensure that programs are offering a curriculum to students with a core set of social work competencies that will prepare you for actual practice after graduation.

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Howard University

Earn your master of social work online from howard university.

The online Master of Social Work program from Howard University School of Social Work prepares students for advanced direct or macro practice in culturally diverse communities. Two concentrations available: Direct Practice and Community, Administration, and Policy Practice. No GRE. Complete in as few as 12 months.

• Concentrations: Direct Practice and Community, Administration, and Policy Practice
• Complete at least 777-1,000 hours of agency-based field education
• Earn your degree in as few as 12 months

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• Traditional Standing Programs: Traditional MSW programs typically take two years to complete if you are enrolled full time. Students who did not earn a BSW but would like to pursue their Master of Social Work will apply to traditional standing programs.
• Advanced Standing Programs: Students who complete their bachelor’s degree in social work are able to apply to advanced standing programs . These programs typically take a shorter amount of time to complete. Coursework that was completed as part of a BSW program may prepare students with a social work foundation.
• Online MSW Programs: Some students are opting to pursue online MSW programs . Online programs may offer more flexibility to students who have other commitments that make it difficult to get to campus, have little to no access to transportation or who experience location barriers. Any master’s program will require time and energy, so it is important for students to explore all the options to determine what is realistic and practical for meeting their educational needs.
• On-Campus MSW Programs: Other students pursue on-campus MSW programs, which may offer some hybrid online options as well. For on-campus MSW programs, students are expected to participate in the same accredited coursework that can be found in an online MSW program. Classes are usually held at specified times throughout the year. Some on-campus MSW programs will offer on-campus internship experiences as well.

3. Complete Fieldwork Hour Requirements

Fieldwork, sometimes referred to as an internship or practicum, is the time when students can apply what they have learned in their courses to working with communities under supervision. This is the time to observe and learn from social workers currently in the field. Be sure you have an understanding of how field placements occur, and take the time to meet and/or complete an interview with your potential field mentor. Typically, MSW programs require students to complete at least 900 hours as part of their field experience, though some may require additional hours. It is vital to check whether these fieldwork hours meet your state board’s licensure requirements.

Making sure your placement site is a good fit may help to ensure a more meaningful and worthwhile experience. Similarly, if it is not going well, it’s okay to advocate for yourself to make sure your educational needs and experiences are being fulfilled.

You may discover during your fieldwork that you enjoy working with a population that you had not previously been interested in working with. Be open to stepping outside your comfort zone to optimize your growth and build a more diverse skill set!

• Traditional MSW Placement Hours: Traditional MSW programs may require 16–20 hours of field placement for about two days a week for the first year and three days a week during the second year. The “field” will be a site currently employing social workers. The specific time will vary depending on the program and site. It will be important to inquire about the structure of internships and the expected requirements. It is not uncommon for programs to require students to travel, so having reliable transportation may be expected.
• Advanced Standing Placement Hours: Similar to traditional MSW programs, advanced standing placement hours will vary depending on the program. You should expect to complete anywhere between 450 and 900 hours of field work to fulfill your degree requirements.

4. Complete the ASWB Examination

In order to become licensed as a social worker, most states require applicants to complete the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Social Work Licensing examination, along with any required jurisprudence examinations. Students may be required to obtain approval from their state’s social work board in order to register for the ASWB Examination. It is best to check with your state board for specific examination requirements.

There are different levels of social work examinations issued by the ASWB—Bachelor’s, Master’s, Advanced Generalist, and Clinical. For each one, there is a minimum educational requirement, and each exam consists of 170 multiple choice questions, with the difficulty and subject matter varying by level. The type of license you pursue essentially determines your scope of practice.

5. Apply for State Social Work Licensure

Obtaining licensure in social work is one more way to advance your learning, strengthen your expertise and demonstrate your credibility in the field. While not all social work roles require a license, positions that require you to work directly with individuals most often do.

Finding a place of work that will support your licensure application process—whether financially or by offering the necessary practice experience and clinical supervision—may be helpful for you. Obtaining direct service hours under the supervision of a licensed social worker is one of the main components of becoming licensed, as is passing the licensure examinations.

Individual state requirements will vary and are subject to change, including licensure standards, exam eligibility, and appropriate pathways, and may differ based on individual student backgrounds. Students should do their own due diligence and determine the appropriate pathway and license type for themselves.

Below are the  key differences between LCSWs and LMSWs .

• Clinical Social Work Licensure: The clinical social worker license may be pursued if you are currently providing—or would like to provide—clinical services, often in the form of psychotherapy. This licensure may permit social workers to have an independent private practice if they so choose. Those who wish to do so should check with their state’s requirements.
• Master Social Work Licensure: This licensure is typically pursued if you are not interested in practicing clinically (i.e., diagnosing and treating patients using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM–5) ). Those who work in macro-level practice may have this license. This license will not permit you to have a private practice.

6. Choose a Social Work Career

• Clinical Social Work: A career in clinical practice means you will have the ability to assess, diagnose and treat mental illness. It may also allow the opportunity to open your own private practice.
• Macro Social Work: While a minority of social work students seem to place their efforts on the macro social work track, it is incredibly important. The survival of the social work field relies on people who are working to create policy change to keep resources available and accessible for those who need them most.
• School Social Work: School-based social workers will have opportunities to interface with not only the students at the school but also their families, school faculty and staff, and community providers. School social workers will often find themselves on a multidisciplinary team working to address a variety of problems that students and schools face—addressing the growing intersection between mental health and education while working to improve student outcomes.
• Medical Social Work: Individuals who are interested in medical social work typically work in a medical setting (i.e., a clinic, hospital or community health center). All humans face health needs at some point in their lives. Because of this, medical social workers will be exposed to people across the entire developmental life span and on a wide range of life paths. Medical social workers may support patients and their families during times of immediate health crises, or they may see patients on a more consistent basis to help them navigate the complexities of the healthcare system.

7. Advance Your Practice Through Continued Learning

According to the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), social workers should pursue 48 hours of continuing education before each licensure renewal period. However, continuing education for licensure renewal is different by state and level of licensure. There are many different types of continuing education that social workers can pursue:

• Formally organized learning events: Staff development, workshops, courses, practice-oriented seminars, distance education and other training offered by accredited programs of social work education.
• Professional meetings or other organized learning experiences: Conferences, symposiums and panel discussions.
• Individual professional activities: Writing papers or books, presenting publications or research findings, reading professional journals/books, preparing for consultation, teaching or training assignments, and independent study, research or tutorials.

Sponsored Online Social Work Degrees

School of social work, master of social work (msw), washington, d.c..

Earn your Master of Social Work (MSW) online from the Howard University School of Social. Choose the Traditional MSW track, designed for students who are new to the field of social work; or the Advanced Standing MSW track, designed for students who hold a Bachelor of Social Work. Community, Administration and Policy (CAP) and Direct Practice concentrations are available. 

Enrollment Type: Full-Time and Part-Time

Length of Program: As few as 12 months

Credits: 45+

Direct Practice, Community, Administration and Policy (CAP) Practice

Admission Requirements:

• Three (3) letters of recommendation
• College transcripts
• A personal statement
• An application essay

For advanced standing applicants:

• Bachelor of Social Work from a CSWE-accredited institution, award within four years of first term start date
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 in all social work foundation and undergraduate coursework

University of Denver

Graduate school of social work, denver, colorado.

The Online MSW Program: MSW@Denver delivered by the University of Denver’s (DU) top-ranked school of social work offers customizable pathway options including Mental Health and Trauma, preparing students to work with diverse populations impacted by oppression. All classes are taught by DU faculty and are limited to approximately 15 students. As members of the University’s academic community, students work closely with faculty who have a range of community experiences and research interests, from social and economic justice to multicultural communities.

Credits: 54-81 graduate-level credits

Mental Health and Trauma, Health, Equity and Wellness

• Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution to be considered for admission
• Minimum undergraduate GPA is a cumulative 2.5 on a 4.0 scale or a 2.5 on a 4.0 scale for the last 60 semester credits or 90 quarter credits (approximately two years of work) for the baccalaureate degree
• Official transcripts
• Letters of recommendation
• Career goals statement

Fordham University

Graduate school of social service, new york, new york.

OnlineMSW@Fordham is the online Master of Social Work program from the top-ranked Fordham University Graduate School of Social Service . Designed for aspiring practitioners who want to help individuals and communities thrive, the program offers an integrated, future-focused curriculum with four inter-professional competency areas: Individuals and Families, Organizations and Community, Evaluation, and Policy Practice and Advocacy. 

Length of Program: As few as 16 months

Credits: 33-66

Individual and Families, Organizations and Community Practice, Evaluation, Policy Practice and Advocacy

• Transcripts
• Letter of recommendation
• Current resume

Hawaii Pacific University

Master of social work, honolulu, hawaii.

The online Master of Social Work prepares aspiring social work leaders to develop a multicultural social work practice, advocate for social and economic justice, and empower diverse communities affected by systemic inequities within civilian and military-focused areas. 

Length of Program: 12-36 months

Credits: 30-57

Military and Veterans Affairs, Child or Adult Protective Services, Health Care, Mental Health, Individual and Families, Social Agency Administration

Traditional track:

• Bachelor’s degree with at least 30 credits in Liberal Arts from an accredited four-year institution
• Minimum 3.0 GPA, but applicants below that will be considered for provisional admission
• Completed courses in Statistics and Research Methods
• Applicants must have completed each course with a grade of a “C” or higher 

Advanced Standing track:

• Bachelor’s degree in social work from an accredited program within the past five years
• Minimum 3.25 GPA on a 4.0 scale in social work courses 

Application Requirements:

• Online application
• Résumé (optional, but can help with practicum placement)
• Transcripts: Transcripts must be submitted from all postsecondary institutions.
• Two letters of recommendation 

Simmons University

Simmons school of social work (ssw), boston, massachusetts.

Aspiring clinical social workers can earn their Master of Social Work degree online from Simmons University in as few as 9 months. The program prepares students to pursue employment in direct practice settings nationwide. Students may choose from three certificates: Trauma Practice, Mental Health Practice, or Clinical Practice with Active Service Members, Veterans, and Families.

Enrollment Type: Accelerated

Length of Program: As few as 9 months

Credits: 37-65

• Mental Health Practice Optional Certificate
• Trauma Practice Optional Certificate
• Clinical Practice with Active Service Members, Veterans, and Families
• Resume 
• Transcripts 
• Recommendation forms 
• Statement of professional and educational intent

Syracuse University

School of social work at falk college, syracuse, new york.

Syracuse University’s CSWE-accredited online Master of Social Work program is preparing the next generation of social work leaders through an emphasis on digital innovation and social justice. No GRE scores are required to apply, and the program offers Traditional and Advanced Standing tracks.

Length of Program: As few as 24 months

Credits: 36-60

Advanced Integrated Practice, Advanced Clinical Practice

• Minimum 3.0 GPA is preferred
• Prerequisite coursework

Case Western Reserve University

The jack, joseph and morton mandel school of applied social sciences, cleveland, ohio.

Lead lasting change in your community. With no GRE required, you can earn a CSWE-accredited Master of Social Work online through Case Western Reserve University’s top-10 ranked school of social work 1 and prepare to pursue licensure. The online program curriculum offers three paths of study: Children, Youth and Families; Community Practice for Social Change; and Mental Health with Adults.

1 U.S. News and World Report, Case Western Reserve University’s Graduate School Rankings , ranked in 2022

Length of Program: As few as a year and a half

Credits: 39-60

Children, Youth, and Families, Mental Health with Adults, Community Practice for Social Change

• A current resume/CV highlighting paid and volunteer work experience 
• Transcripts from all previously attended institutions 
• Three letters of recommendation 
• A two-part essay 
• Essay detailing your previous field education experience (requirement varies depending on your intended program track)

State-Specific Requirements

As mentioned above, social work licensure requirements vary by state. Official social work state licensing boards determine the requirements and regulations for social work licensure in each state. Because of these distinctions, it’s important that aspiring social workers pay careful attention to the requirements of the state in which they wish to practice —not necessarily the state in which they were born or educated. For more detailed information, visit the website of your state’s licensing board.

Individual state requirements will vary and are subject to change, including licensure standards, exam eligibility, and appropriate pathways, and may differ based on individual student backgrounds. Students should do their own due diligence and determine the appropriate pathway and license type for themselves. 

The information below regarding state licensure requirements was collected from the state board websites in November 2021. Please be advised that laws, regulations and policies may change at any time, so always check with your state for the most up-to-date information.

How to Become a Social Worker in California

To be employed as a regular, macro-level social worker in California, you don’t need a license because there is no LMSW license in the state— there is only the LCSW . However, if you’re interested in clinical social work or psychotherapy, you need to obtain licensure.

Additionally, if you hold a Master of Social Work, you can choose to apply to become an Associate Clinical Social Worker (ASW) with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) . If you earned an MSW outside of California, you must obtain 18 hours of California law and professional ethics training through a BBS-recognized provider before registering as an ASW. If you earned an MSW in California, there are no additional requirements; the required ethics training hours are already built into accredited social work master’s programs in California.

With an ASW license, you can perform clinical social work under the supervision of a current licensed mental health professional. Registering to become an ASW is one step after graduating from an MSW program and one step before becoming an LCSW if you choose to follow that route.

Key differences like this can change the course of your education, certification and licensure process—so be sure to keep them top-of-mind as you set yourself on the path to becoming a social worker.

As you follow the steps above or those in our guide to becoming a licensed clinical social worker , keep in mind that these are only general steps—there are more requirements than just what’s listed above. And as you examine these requirements on a state-by-state basis, remember to research the details and differences.

How to Become a Social Worker in Texas

In general, prospective social workers must meet requirements in three major categories—education, work experience and examinations—before being eligible for practice. While the Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners has its own requirements for licensure, it differs from California in that it offers both the LMSW and the LCSW, as well as a Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker (LBSW) for those without a master’s degree. To become a practicing social worker in Texas, you must apply for a Texas license and meet all of the Texas-specific requirements, regardless of whether you hold a social work license in a different state or jurisdiction. In Texas, exceptions or endorsements are only made on a case-by-case basis.

How to Become a Social Worker in New York

In New York, the requirements for becoming an LMSW are clearly defined. According to the New York State Education Department Office of the Professions , the following requirements must be met to become a licensed social worker. The applicant must:

• Be of good moral character as determined by the department
• Be at least 21 years of age
• Meet educational requirements
• Meet examination requirements
• Complete coursework or training in the identification and reporting of child abuse offered by a New York state-approved provider.

While these do not differ from standard state-specific requirements, the final step does require New York-specific education, meaning a portion of your training must happen in New York state. In addition to meeting these qualifications, applicants must submit the required materials and documentation along with the required application fees. These fees are another factor that will differ by state.

How to Become a Social Worker in Florida

Similarly, to become a certified master social worker in Florida , you’ll need the following:

• An official transcript: A master’s degree in social work from a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) -accredited school of social work and a transcript sent in an official sealed envelope from the university.
• Coursework: Three completed semester hours of graduate-level coursework in eight required content areas.
• Experience: Three years of experience in the field of social work, two of which must be at the post-master’s level, under the supervision of a certified master social worker or clinical social worker.
• A passing exam score: Applicants must pass the national Advanced Generalist level examination developed by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) .

In addition to the above requirements, candidates must submit fees with their application.

How to Pick a Degree and Career in Social Work

As you explore the different social work degree options available to you, it’s important to take into account your current level of education, along with what social work career path you may want to pursue.

For some, this might mean working in clinical social work, while others prefer a research or teaching position. Keep in mind that your chosen career path will have different requirements such as earning an advanced degree or obtaining licensure. The field of social work offers a variety of opportunities so you should take your time and explore the  career options  in depth.

To help you get started, explore the following in more detail below.

• Differences between micro, mezzo and macro social work
• Various MSW program concentrations
• Online degree programs vs. on-campus
• Admission requirements to consider
• Advanced degrees

Micro, Mezzo and Macro Social Work

While researching different social work degrees and licenses, you’ve likely come across the terms  micro, mezzo, and macro social work . Here’s a definition of each one—and how they translate to different applications in the field:

• Micro social work:  As the most common type of social work, micro-level social work involves direct interactions with clients—whether that’s working with individuals to help them find housing, health care, and access to other social services, or providing diagnosis and treatment for individuals facing mental health challenges or substance abuse. Micro-level social workers can practice in a wide range of settings, including individual homes, schools, nonprofit organizations, police departments, and military bases.
• Mezzo social work:  While micro-level social work is practiced on the individual level, mezzo-level work zooms out slightly to focus on groups. The smallest form of group social work exists on the family level, but it can also extend out much further to entire organizations and communities. Prospective social workers interested in creating small-scale change—whether social, cultural, or institutional—may be particularly interested in mezzo-level social work as it allows them to engage with influential groups and group issues.
• Macro social work:  Macro-level social work zooms out even more, involving intervention and advocacy on the largest scale—across communities, states, and even entire countries. Working well beyond the individual level, macro social workers intervene in large-scale systems and social issues. Macro social work can take a variety of forms, from proposing law and policy changes on the local, state, or federal level to organizing campaign and activism efforts across states, nations and the entire world.

For many aspiring social workers, one discipline stands out as a path of most interest. But as you begin to think about your own future in social work, keep in mind that it can be just as valuable to understand how these categories overlap and intersect as it is to know the major differences between them.

Social Work Concentrations

In MSW programs, you may have the option to choose a concentration. This helps narrow down your educational focus in what can be a very broad and diverse field. Some of the  concentrations in online MSW Programs  include the following:

• Individuals and Families: Learn how to provide direct clinical services to individuals and families to improve their mental health and well-being.
• Organizations and Community:  Learn how to work with and provide services to entire communities and organizations of varying types—from private institutions to public companies and nonprofits.
• Policy Practice and Advocacy:  Learn how to manage organizations and systems to create policies that advance social, economic and political change and how to advocate for mental health and well-being on a larger scale.

These are only a few concentrations across the micro, mezzo, and macro levels. Depending on the specific social work program you choose, there may be a whole host of other concentrations to consider.

Online vs Non-Online Degrees

As you decide on a social work degree, there are many factors to consider. One question that students often find themselves asking is whether they should choose an online or an in-person program.  Online social work degrees  are ideal for people who require additional scheduling flexibility and are unable to relocate or commute to a physical classroom (due to a full-time job schedule, familial obligations, or other caretaking responsibilities). While online education can offer flexibility, it does require self-discipline and strong time management skills. For others, an on-campus education may be preferred. A more rigid class schedule can be beneficial to students who prefer a structured learning environment or simply find that they work better in a classroom setting. Ultimately, this is a personal decision—hinging first and foremost on your individual learning style and life circumstances.

GRE and GPA Requirements for Online MSW Programs

Every online MSW program has its own unique requirements regarding minimum applicant GPA and whether candidates are required to take (or receive a certain score on) the GRE. For the most part, the GRE will either be required or  the GRE isnot required  by a school. But in some cases, the GRE requirement can depend on your GPA—and whether you make a certain qualifying cut-off. In general, many online MSW programs have a standalone  minimum GPA requirement . Some, by contrast, simply list a “preferred” or “expected” GPA, and others don’t have a requirement at all. GRE and GPA requirements are school-specific. And remember, the requirements don’t necessarily reflect the quality or competitiveness of the school—just their application priorities.

Advanced Social Work Degrees

Advanced social work degrees—whether a  Doctorate of Social Work (DSW)  or a  Ph.D. in Social Work —are terminal degrees that denote the highest level of education and expertise in the field. DSW and Ph.D. in Social Work degrees are both post-master’s degrees, and can lead to a range of prestigious, specialized professions in the field.  While DSW degrees are more clinically focused , usually leading to a career in social work administration or clinical social work, a Ph.D. in Social Work typically leads to a position in research or higher education (though it can translate to a clinical setting as well). Specific admissions requirements will vary by university program, but generally, advanced social work degrees require the completion of a master’s-level program as well as a certain amount of professional social work experience.

Highest-Paying Social Work Jobs

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics , the median annual wage for social workers in May 2020 was $51,760, with the highest 10% earning more than $85,820.

These are the median annual wages for social workers in 2020, categorized by social work specialization:

• Healthcare social workers: $57,630
• Child, family and school social workers: $48,430
• Mental health and substance abuse social workers: $48,720
• Social workers, all other: $64,210

Similarly, these are the median annual wages for social workers in 2020 categorized by industry:

• Local government, excluding education and hospitals: $57,660
• Ambulatory healthcare services: $52,850
• State government, excluding education and hospitals: $49,860
• Individual and family services: $43,820

Of course, your social worker salary will depend on a number of factors—including experience, level, location and individual performance. All the same, this information can help you get a sense of industry-wide trends. Learn more in our FAQ guide on the highest paying social work jobs .

Traits of Successful Social Workers

Successful social workers are strong communicators and very empathetic. They understand the importance of active listening, especially with patients who are experiencing stress or the effects of recent trauma. Other important traits include time-management and organization skills, discretion, and information management.

Resources for Social Workers

To aid your success in social work, we’ve gathered some resources for social workers that may be useful. You’ll find everything from state licensing boards to social work organizations and associations. We’ve also included social work blogs, occupational information and helpful guides for students currently enrolled in an MSW program.

Social Worker FAQ

What is social work.

Social work is a career path rooted in social justice, ideal for professionals interested in improving—and empowering—communities and organizations on the individual or group levels. Social workers are helpers, aiding those in crisis or those facing family, relationship or occupational challenges.

Social workers help individuals examine issues related to mental health and well-being, pinpointing external or environmental factors that may be contributing to particular problems—such as the individual’s home and community or larger societal influences.

For more information on what social work is—and the impact that social work practice can have—check out our new guide to social work or the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) .  

What does a social worker do?

A social worker’s day-to-day activities vary depending on who they work with, where they work and their specialty. For example, a licensed clinical social worker may work at a hospital and help individuals or groups work through emotional, mental or behavioral issues.

After assessing an individual’s or a group’s needs, social workers develop treatment plans including counseling, interventions or role playing. It is an iterative process: The social worker will determine the efficacy of treatment and make adjustments.

Social workers help a variety of people. Some social workers specialize with particular groups such as victims of domestic violence, children, the eldelry and people with substance abuse problems. Be sure to check out our guide to different types of social work .

How long does it take to become a social worker?

The time it takes to become a social worker depends on an individual’s educational commitment, i.e., the type of social work degree pursued. Entry level social workers typically hold a bachelor’s degree in social work, which takes about four years to complete. Experienced social workers typically earn a master’s or doctoral degree in social work. A traditional or advanced standing Master of Social Work program can take as little as one and a half years to complete full time or two and a half years part time.

What should I know about social work credentials?

Social work licensing varies depending on the state and the individual’s area of interest or expertise. For example, some states such as New York, Texas and Florida may have licensure requirements for master social workers while others—such as California—only require licensure for clinical social work.

How much do social workers make?

Salaries for social workers vary depending on where they work and their specialty. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), social workers earned a median salary of $51,760 per year as of May 2020. The top 10% earned over $85,820, and the bottom 10% earned less than $33,020.

What is the Job Outlook for Social Workers?

Social workers are in demand. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of social workers will grow 12% by 2030 as of May 2020, which is faster than the average growth rate for all occupations. The BLS projects there will also be over 89,000 new social workers in the workforce by 2030.

Can I volunteer as a social worker?

Yes! If you’re interested in volunteering opportunities related to social work, you can look into local social work clinics or get more information about opportunities through resources like VolunteerMatch . By volunteering as a social worker, you may be able to help others while gaining industry exposure and beneficial knowledge. In addition, if you’re interested in learning more about social work before committing to a degree or career change, volunteering can be an appealing option.

Is a master’s degree in social work worth it?

There is no short answer to the question of whether an MSW is worth it , and while it’s ultimately up to you and your career goals, you may want to consider the following pros and cons.

An MSW may lead to greater career options, is often required for licensure and may lead to a higher earning potential. However, graduate degrees are also associated with increased student debt and usually require at least one to two years of study. In the long run, an MSW has the potential to boost your job outlook and earning potential while allowing you to work more closely with individuals on the clinical level.

Can I start a career in social work even if I’m older?

Absolutely. The median age of a social worker in the United States is 42 years old . In fact, social workers enter the field at all different ages, according to a Profile of the Social Work Workforce report . The same report detailed the top 20 degrees held by social workers in the United States in 2017, illustrating how a background in psychology, sociology, criminal justice, foreign languages, nursing, human services and other fields can lead to a career in social work. In sum, it’s never too late to start a career in social work.

Last updated: January 2022

How To Become An LCSW: A Step-By-Step Guide

Updated: May 3, 2024, 3:25am

Key Takeaways

• Licensed clinical social workers provide support for people experiencing challenges such as mental health concerns, life transitions and addiction.
• LCSWs need a master’s degree in social work and state licensure to practice. They must also complete supervised clinical practice hours.
• Many professionals in this field earn bachelor’s degrees in social work, psychology or other social sciences.
• Certification is optional for LCSWs but can provide the opportunity to demonstrate advanced skills in specialized practice areas.

Licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs) play a vital role in their communities by helping individuals, groups and families navigate mental, emotional and behavioral challenges. Through their work, LCSWs improve their patients’ quality of life––a far-reaching impact that causes a ripple effect across all societal levels.

Depending on your strengths, areas of interest and career goals, clinical social work offers many opportunities to empower and strengthen vulnerable populations. If you’re interested in a career that positively impacts the lives of others, read on to learn how to become an LCSW. This article provides a step-by-step guide to becoming a clinical social worker, including educational and licensure requirements.

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What Is a Clinical Social Worker?

A clinical social worker is a licensed healthcare professional who provides comprehensive services to individuals, groups and families. These professionals assess, diagnose, treat and help prevent various mental, emotional, psychological and behavioral challenges. Depending on their specialization, LCSWs may address the following:

• Substance abuse and addiction
• Trauma, abuse and post-traumatic stress disorders
• Chronic illness and disability
• Grief and loss
• Adjustment and life transition, such as retirement or divorce
• Stress management
• Work-related stress and burnout

Clinical social workers often collaborate with other healthcare professionals, such as doctors and therapists, to coordinate care and develop personalized and effective treatment plans for their patients.

Some key responsibilities of an LCSW include the following:

• Conducting assessments and developing treatment plans
• Providing individual, group and family therapy
• Providing crisis intervention in emergencies
• Maintaining accurate records and documenting patient progress
• Advocating for clients
• Connecting patients with community resources

Clinical social workers perform their services in various settings, including hospitals, community mental health clinics, schools, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, assisted living facilities, prisons and private practices.

How To Become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Aspiring LCSWs must earn the required degrees; complete practical training, which includes supervised clinical hours; pass a licensing exam; and fulfill any additional state-specific licensure requirements.

Earn a Bachelor’s Degree

The first step aspiring LCSWs should take is obtaining a bachelor’s in social work (B.S.W.) or a closely related degree like a bachelor’s in psychology or a bachelor’s degree in sociology . Bachelor’s degrees typically require four years of full-time study and comprise general education and major-specific coursework.

A B.S.W. equips students with foundational knowledge in social work theory, policies and practices. This degree includes coursework such as the following:

• Human behavior and social environment
• Social work research methods and analysis
• Social welfare policy
• Diversity and social justice

Many B.S.W. programs include a practicum or internship component, allowing students to apply their knowledge and skills in social work practice and gain first-hand professional experience in the field.

Earn a Master’s Degree in Social Work

LCSWs must earn a master’s in social work (M.S.W.), and the M.S.W. program should be accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). This degree typically requires two years of full-time study where students explore social work practice theories, social policy, research methodologies, human behavior and ethics.

Many M.S.W. programs offer both general and specialized tracks. Specialized M.S.W. degrees build upon the generalist foundation, focusing on advanced social work practice methods tailored to a particular client type or population. Specialization offerings vary depending on the school, but typical options include the following:

• Mental health social work
• Substance use and addiction
• Clinical social work
• Social work for the elderly
• Child and family welfare
• Trauma and domestic abuse

M.S.W. curricula vary by program and specialization, but common core courses include the following:

• Social welfare programs and policies
• Human behavior in the social environment
• Social work research and evaluation
• Clinical assessment and diagnosis
• Diversity and oppression
• Social work practice: individuals, groups and families

Complete Supervised Experience and Training

After earning your M.S.W., you must complete a certain amount of supervised clinical hours to meet state licensure requirements for clinical social workers. Specific hour requirements vary from state to state, but most states require around 3,000 hours, or roughly two years, of supervised clinical experience.

Obtain Licensure

Clinical social workers must obtain licensure from their state licensing board to practice. Before registering for the licensing exam, you must apply for licensure and receive approval from your state’s regulatory board.

The Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) provides information about state-specific licensing requirements. Review your state’s requirements, as standards vary by state.

ASWB administers the computerized clinical licensing exam, which allows four hours to complete 170 multiple-choice questions, including 150 scored questions and 20 unscored pretest questions. Refer to the ASWB Examination Guidebook to get familiar with the exam content and structure.

Consider Certification

Though certification isn’t required to become an LCSW, certifications can provide you with a competitive advantage when applying for jobs.

Certifications recognize your knowledge, skills and expertise in a particular area and demonstrate to potential employers that you’re committed to professional development and your field of work. The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) offers the following clinical certifications:

• Qualified Clinical Social Worker
• Clinical Social Worker in Gerontology
• Certified Clinical Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs Social Worker

These certifications help LCSWs gain recognition for their professional achievements and certify knowledge and expertise that meets or exceeds national standards of excellence in specific areas of social work.

Certifications for Clinical Social Workers

Qualified clinical social worker (qcsw).

The QCSW certification demonstrates clinical social work expertise with individuals, families and groups. This designation is suitable for professionals who demonstrate proficiency in human development theories in a psychosocial context and apply these theories and methods to treat and prevent mental and emotional disorders, disabilities or impairment.

The basic eligibility requirements for this certification include the following:

• A master’s degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program
• At least 30 hours of continuing education completed in the last two years
• At least three years, or 4,500 hours, of post-M.S.W. supervised and paid work experience in an organization offering mental health assessment and treatment
• A valid clinical social work license in your state of practice
• Compliance with the NASW Standards for Continuing Professional Education and Code of Ethics

Clinical Social Worker in Gerontology (CSW-G)

The CSW-G certification validates clinical expertise for social workers specializing in gerontology. Professionals with the CSW-G designation demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the aging process, plus knowledge of social programs, policies and legislation that specifically affect older adults.

LCSWs in gerontology must demonstrate competency in the challenges of the aging process, including physical and mental health issues, functional capacity, quality of life, long-term care and advanced care planning.

The basic eligibility requirements for the CSW-G certification include the following:

• At least 30 hours of post-graduate professional education on biopsychosocial issues, interventions, or the context of working with aging patients and their caregivers and families
• A minimum of two years, or 3,000 hours, of post-M.S.W. supervised and paid work experience in an organization that assesses mental health and administered treatment to the aging population

Certified Clinical Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs Social Worker (C-CATODSW)

The C-CATODSW certification demonstrates competency in providing specialized prevention, assessment, diagnosis and treatment services related to substance use and addiction. Specific substances can include alcohol, tobacco, prescription medication and illicit drugs.

Professionals with this designation demonstrate a high level of proficiency in the following skills:

• Resource management
• Crisis intervention
• Case management
• Documentation
• Treatment planning
• Client education
• Referral and consultation

The basic eligibility requirements for the C-CATODSW certification include the following:

• 180 contact hours of professional and relevant continuing education
• At least two years, or 3,000 hours, of post-M.S.W. supervised and paid work experience in an organization that treats people dealing with substance use and addiction

Salary and Job Outlook for Clinical Social Workers

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual salary for social workers is $58,380. Several factors can impact your earning potential in the social work field, including educational background, certifications, professional training, work experience, location and industry.

The BLS forecasts employment for social workers to grow by 7% between 2022 and 2032, which is faster than the average projected growth rate for all occupations.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Licensed Clinical Social Workers

Is becoming an lcsw hard.

Becoming an LCSW can be challenging but is achievable with the proper education, training and preparation. Aspiring LCSWs must earn a master’s in social work, complete supervised clinical training, pass a licensing exam administered by ASWB and meet any additional state-specific licensing requirements.

How long does it take to become an LCSW in California?

Generally, it takes four years to earn a BSW, two to three years to obtain an MSW, and two to three years to complete the supervised clinical hours and additional training required to become an LCSW.

What is the difference between a clinical social worker and a therapist?

Clinical social workers and therapists are both mental health professionals, but their roles differ in a few key ways. Clinical social workers treat mental health and emotional and behavioral challenges holistically, focusing on how social and environmental factors impact and contribute to a patient’s challenges. Therapists typically take psychological approaches to treatment.

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Humanitarian Action

International Social Work [+ Career & Salary Guide]

• Social Work Definition
• Responsibilities

Companies Hiring

• Qualifications
• Step-by-Step Guide

Social work is a challenging yet rewarding career. There is a need for compassionate, knowledgeable leaders who are interested in helping others and ready and willing to use their skills and knowledge on a global scale.

International social workers are more than just skilled professionals or clinicians — they are valued humanitarians who are trained to help individuals and communities in need across the world.

Are you interested in rising to the challenge? Keep reading for our complete career guide on international social work, including salary information, typical responsibilities, common questions about the profession and potential organizations where you could work.

What Is International Social Work?

International social work is a practice in which trained professionals help disadvantaged or victimized individuals and communities around the world. One of the hallmarks of social work is its emphasis on human relations: it is often conducted between people, rather than via public policies, the media or technological interventions. People in these positions are often employed by international organizations and often deal with such critical issues as women’s rights, poverty, global health, food insecurity, social justice, abuse, sexual assault, refugee rights, HIV/AIDS, addiction, children’s issues and rights and mental health.

An international social worker is also considered a humanitarian — a person who expresses concern for others while promoting human welfare.

What Does an International Social Worker Do?

An international social worker provides help and support to individuals and offers aid to vulnerable populations who are facing challenges or hardships. They may also help train other humanitarians and are often called upon to help in the aftermath of a natural disaster or crisis.

Typical social work responsibilities include:

• Identifying those in need of assistance
• Assessing the support networks needed
• Helping individuals adjust to changes and challenges
• Researching and advocating for community resources
• Responding to crisis situations

There are also different types of social work — public health, mental health, advocacy and medical, to name a few.

International Social Worker Salary

The salary for this position will depend on the organization or company you work for, in addition to where you are located and how much experience is required. Indeed , the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and ZipRecruiter offer salary amounts ranging from approximately $55,000 to $65,000 per year. Please note that salary information will fluctuate in real time due to changing data and will imply different purchasing power depending on what country you are living and working in.

While you can find positions on popular job resources such as LinkedIn and Indeed, there are sites specifically dedicated to humanitarian-related work, such as ReliefWeb , Idealist and Devex . There are many national and global organizations looking to hire skilled international social workers, though you’ll find that most listed positions are local and specific to certain geographic regions, cities or communities. Here is just a sample of companies hiring for these types of positions:

• Educational Alliance
• Hamilton Urban Core Community Health Centre
• Across Boundaries
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston
• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
• U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants
• Methodist Healthcare System

It’s important to note that international social workers may also work within the United States, depending on the organization, company or position.

Skills Needed

Social work is a career that requires mental and emotional stamina. In addition to the right type of education and certification, you must be able to balance empathy, patience, communication and professionalism in situations that are often troublesome and challenging.

Additional skills and characteristics needed to succeed in social work include:

• Active listening
• Boundary setting
• Critical thinking
• Cultural competency
• Emotional intelligence
• Organization

Being an international social worker, however, also means developing and maintaining humanitarian-related skills such as:

• Ability to speak a second language (or multiple languages)
• An understanding of global issues
• Ability to cope with high levels of stress
• Willingness to travel and work in less-than-ideal conditions
• Sensitivity toward other cultures

International Social Work Qualifications

A bachelor’s degree in social work is not required but can help with entry into a master’s degree program. Other relevant undergraduate degrees include psychology, political science, women’s studies, gender studies, sociology and international studies.

In most cases, a master’s degree is required, and the bachelor’s and/or master’s degree must be from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education . There are also two types of social work — clinical and non-clinical .

Clinical social workers provide immediate aid to individuals and families whereas non-clinical social workers help reform policy and work at the community level. The requirements for clinical social work are more stringent and typically require a master’s degree, clinical experience and a license from the state in which you intend to practice.

You may also consider supplementing your education with a humanitarian-related advanced degree , which can prepare you with the right knowledge, experience and tools to excel in this type of position.

Steps to Become an International Social Worker

If you’re interested in this type of rewarding humanitarian work, consider the following general guidelines and career advice:

• Invest in a relevant undergraduate and graduate degree.

Most positions require a minimum of a bachelor’s degree; many require some type of advanced education, especially if you are interested in clinical social work.

• Gain experience and make connections.

Volunteer opportunities and/or internships have the ability to provide hands-on experience, first-hand knowledge and meaningful connections that can bolster your resume and help you get a foot in the door.

• Pursue specialized training and education.

Consider relevant undergraduate and graduate degrees. International social workers may also want to supplement their education with humanitarian-related courses or programs.

What are the areas of international social work?

Areas of international social work include mental health, public health, environmental, medical, community and advocacy.

What are the credentials for international social work?

In most cases, an advanced degree is required. In order to practice clinical social work, you must have a master’s degree, clinical experience and a license from the state in which you intend to practice.

Do I need any additional preparation to become an international social worker?

Requirements will depend on the position itself, but in most cases, supplementing your social work education with a humanitarian degree (or related courses) can help with success on the global level.

Where can I find additional information about social work?

If you’re looking for more information, consider the following resources:

• International Federation of Social Workers
• National Association of Social Workers
• Council on Social Work Education
• Society for Social Work and Research
• Social Work Licensing Guide
• The Nancy A. Humphreys Institute for Political Social Work
• The New Social Worker Careers Magazine

If you feel compelled to explore an advanced degree, consider expanding your skill set in a practical, holistic program such as the Master of Science in Humanitarian Action at the University of San Diego. The 100% online program provides an innovative, multidisciplinary curriculum taught by experienced, knowledgeable faculty. Position yourself for leadership and success in the humanitarian field with a master’s degree you can earn in just 20 months.

Visit our Master of Science in Humanitarian Action program overview today for more information and to connect with a USD enrollment advisor.

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No matter where you are in your journey, find out how a master’s degree program can help with our free eBook.

• Master of Science in Humanitarian Action 

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Kazan State Medical University

Publish your uniRank University Ranking ™ <!-- uniRank University Ranking -- > <iframe src ="https://www.4icu.org/reviews/rankings/university-ranking-10923.htm" width="150" height="80" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" > </iframe > <!-- end -- >

Founded in 1814, the Kazan State Medical University is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the urban setting of the metropolis of Kazan (population range of 1,000,000-5,000,000 inhabitants), Tatarstan Republic. This institution also has a branch campus in Naberezhnye Chelny. Officially recognized by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, Kazan State Medical University (KSMU) is a small-sized (uniRank enrollment range: 4,000-4,999 students) coeducational Russian higher education institution. Kazan State Medical University (KSMU) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and doctorate degrees in several areas of study. See the uniRank degree levels and areas of study table below for further details. This 210-year-old Russian higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on entrance examinations and students' past academic records and grades. The acceptance rate range is 40-49% making this Russian higher education organization an averagely selective institution. International students are welcome to apply for enrollment. KSMU also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, housing, sports facilities, study abroad and exchange programs, as well as administrative services.

University Snapshot

Selectivity

University Identity

University Location

Search Engine

Fields of study / degree levels, introduction.

What is the difference between comprehensive/generalist and specialized universities in terms of the range of fields of study they offer, degree levels available and academic and carreer paths pros and cons? Read our guide article about generalist and specialized universities to learn more.

Fields of Study and Degree Levels Matrix

The following Kazan State Medical University's Fields of Study/Degree Levels Matrix is divided into 6 main fields of study and 4 levels of degrees, from the lowest undergraduate degree to the highest postgraduate degree. This matrix aims to help quickly identify Kazan State Medical University's academic range and degree level offering.

This University offers courses in at least one of the following subjects:

• Applied Arts
• Museum Studies
• Performing Arts
• Religion and Theology
• Visual Arts
• Other Arts & Humanities Studies
• Accounting / Finance
• Anthropology / Archaeology
• Business / Commerce / Management
• Communication and Media Studies
• Development Studies
• Library and Information Science
• Physical Education / Sport Science
• Political and International Studies
• Social Policy / Public Administration
• Social Work
• Sociology / Psychology
• Tourism / Hospitality
• Other Business & Social Science Studies
• Aboriginal / Indigenous People Studies
• African Studies
• American & Caribbean Studies
• Ancient and Modern Languages
• Asian Studies
• English Studies
• European Studies
• French Studies
• Germanic Studies
• Indian / South Asian Studies
• Italian Studies
• Middle Eastern Studies
• Portuguese Studies
• Russian / Eastern European Studies
• Spanish Studies
• Other Language & Cultural Studies
• Anaesthesia
• Biomedical Science
• Dermatology
• Medicine / Surgery
• Natural / Alternative Medicine
• Obstetrics / Gynaecology
• Optometry / Ophthalmology
• Orthopaedics
• Otorhinolaryngology
• Radiography
• Speech / Rehabilitation / Physiotherapy
• Other Medical & Health Studies
• Aeronautical Engineering
• Agricultural Engineering
• Architectural Engineering
• Biomedical Engineering
• Chemical Engineering
• Civil and Environmental Engineering
• Computer and IT Engineering
• Electronic and Electrical Engineering
• General Engineering
• Geological Engineering
• Industrial Engineering
• Mechanical / Manufacturing Engineering
• Mining and Metallurgical Engineering
• Other Engineering Studies
• Agriculture / Forestry / Botany
• Aquaculture / Marine Science
• Architecture
• Biology / Biochemistry / Microbiology
• Computer / Information Technology
• Energy / Environmental Studies
• Food Science
• Mathematics / Statistics
• Neuroscience
• Pharmacy / Pharmacology
• Textiles and Fibre Science
• Zoology / Veterinary Science
• Other Science & Technology Studies

Notice : please contact or visit the university website for detailed information on Kazan State Medical University's areas of study and degree levels currently offered; the above matrix may not be complete or up-to-date.

Programs and Courses

Courses and programs.

Click here to explore a list of Kazan State Medical University courses and programs or, if not available yet, search for them with our Search Engine powered by Google. We are constantly adding university courses and programs worldwide with the cooperation of university representatives.

You can also explore our new A-Z Guide to 8,100 University Programs, Courses and Degrees to learn more about study outlines and typical duration, tuition ranges, career prospects, salary expectations of each course/program/degree.

Tuition Fees

Yearly tuition fees refers to the amount of money that a student is charged by a University for one academic year of full-time study. Read our guide article about tuition fees and financial aid options to learn more.

Yearly Tuition Fees Range Matrix

Tip: search for Kazan State Medical University's tuition fees with the uniRank Search Engine

Notice : please contact the university's Admission Office for detailed information on Kazan State Medical University's yearly tuition fees which apply to your specific situation and study interest; tuition fees may vary by program, citizenship/residency, study mode (i.e. face to face or online, part time or full time), as well as other factors. The above matrix is indicative only and may not be up-to-date.

Applying for admission is the first step towards achieving students' academic and career goals and accessing the many opportunities and resources that a university has to offer. Read our " Introduction to University Admissions " article to learn more.

Admission Information

uniRank publishes below some basic Kazan State Medical University's admission information.

Gender Admission

This institution admits Men and Women (coed).

Admission Selection

Has Kazan State Medical University a selective admission policy? Yes, based on entrance examinations and students' past academic records and grades.

Admission Rate

Kazan State Medical University's acceptance rate range is 40-49% making this institution an averagely selective higher education institution.

International Students Admission

International students are welcome to apply for admission at this institution.

Admission Office

Tip: search for Kazan State Medical University's admission policy with the uniRank Search Engine

Notice : admission policy and acceptance rate may vary by areas of study, degree level, student nationality or residence and other criteria. Please contact Kazan State Medical University's Admission Office for detailed information on their admission selection policy and acceptance rate; the above information may not be complete or up-to-date.

Size and Profile

University size and profile can be important factors to consider when choosing a university. Here are some potential reasons why University size and profile can affect students when choosing a university .

uniRank publishes below some major size and profile indicators for Kazan State Medical University.

Student Enrollment

Kazan State Medical University has an enrollment range of 4,000-4,999 students making it a small-sized institution.

Academic Staff

This institution has a range of 900-999 academic employees (Faculty).

Control Type

Kazan State Medical University is a public higher education institution.

Entity Type

Kazan State Medical University is a non-profit higher education institution.

Campus Setting

This institution's main campus is located in a Urban setting.

Academic Calendar

This institution adopts a Semesters type of academic calendar.

Religious Affiliation

Kazan State Medical University does not have any religious affiliation.

Facilities and Services

What are the most common University facilities and services? Read our two guide articles about University Facilities and University Services to learn more.

University Facilities

uniRank provides below an overview of Kazan State Medical University's main facilities:

University Library

This institution has a physical Library.

University Housing

This institution provides housing services such as on-campus residences or dormitories.

Sport Facilities/Activities

This institution features sporting facilities and organizes sports activities for its students.

University Services

uniRank provides below an overview of Kazan State Medical University's main services:

Financial Aid

Not reported

Study Abroad

This institution offers study abroad and exchange program opportunities for its students.

Distance Learning

Academic counseling, career services.

Notice : please contact or visit the university website for detailed information on Kazan State Medical University's facilities and services; the information above is indicative only and may not be complete or up-to-date.

Recognition and Accreditation

There are different types of legal recognition and quality assessment of higher education institutions around the world, depending on the country and its legal and higher education system... read our article about university accreditation and recognition to learn more.

Institutional Recognition or Accreditation

Kazan State Medical University is legally recognized and/or institutionally accredited by: Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation

Year of first Recognition or Accreditation 1814

Specialized or Programmatic Accreditations

Not available; please use the Feedback/Error report form at the end of this page to submit a list of Kazan State Medical University's official programmatic or specialized accreditations. If you are an official representative of this university you can also claim and update this entire university profile free of charge (UPDATE ALL).

Tip: search for Kazan State Medical University's accreditations with the uniRank Search Engine

Important : the above section is intended to include only those reputable organizations (e.g. Ministries or Departments of Higher Education) that have the legal authority to officially charter, license, register or, more generally, recognize Kazan State Medical University as a whole (institutional legal recognition), accredit the institution as a whole (institutional accreditation) or accredit its specific programs/courses (programmatic accreditation).

Memberships and Affiliations

University memberships and affiliations to external organizations can be important for several reasons... read our article about university affiliations and memberships to learn more.

Affiliations and Memberships

Not available; please use the Feedback/Error report form at the end of this page to submit a list of Kazan State Medical University's official affiliations and memberships to higher education-related organizations. If you are an official representative of this university you can also claim and update this entire university profile free of charge (UPDATE ALL).

Academic Structure

Academic divisions can provide valuable insights into the range of fields of study and disciplines a University focuses on and the institution's level of specialization. Comprehensive or Generalist Universities typically offer a wide range of academic programs and have many academic divisions and subdivisions across different disciplines, while Specialized Universities tend to focus on a narrower range of programs within a specific field or industry and have fewer academic divisions and a simplified organizational structure. Read our guide article " Understanding Academic Divisions in Universities - Colleges, Faculties, Schools " to learn more about academic divisions and typical university organizational structures.

uniRank shows a structural diagram of the first-level academic divisions of the Kazan State Medical University 's organizational structure; feel free to submit any relevant missing division.

Social Media

Social media can be a powerful tool for Universities to communicate with current students, alumni, faculty, staff and the wider community. But how can social media be important for prospective students? Read our article about the importance of Social Media for universities and prospective students to learn more.

uniRank publishes brief reviews, rankings and metrics of some Kazan State Medical University's social media channels as a starting point for comparison and an additional selection tool for potential applicants.

X (Twitter)

Kazan State Medical University's main LinkedIn profile

Free Online Courses

Open education global.

This higher education institution is not a member of the Open Education Global (OEGlobal) organization that is developing, implementing and supporting free open education and free online courses. View a list of Open Education Global members by country .

Wikipedia Article

Kazan State Medical University's Wikipedia article

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Feedback, Errors and Update

We appreciate your feedback and error reports. Kazan State Medical University's official representatives can claim this institution and request to update this entire university profile free of charge by clicking on UPDATE ALL

Site last updated: Wednesday, 28 August 2024

Disclaimer : please visit Kazan State Medical University 's official website to review that the information provided above is up-to-date. The uniRank World University Ranking ™ is not an academic ranking and should not be adopted as the main criteria for selecting a higher education organization where to apply for enrollment.

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• Open access
• Published: 27 September 2024

Patient mistreatment, emotional exhaustion and work-family conflict among nurses: a moderated mediation model of social sharing of negative work events and perceived organizational support

• Wei Yan 1 ,
• Zeqing Cheng 1 ,
• Di Xiao 2 ,
• Huan Wang 3 , 4 ,
• Li Li 6 &
• Caiping Song 7  

BMC Medical Education volume  24 , Article number:  1041 ( 2024 ) Cite this article

Metrics details

Nursing literature suggested that patient mistreatment has significant impacts on nurses’ emotions and job burnout. Yet, further research is needed to understand the underlying mechanism and the spillover effect on nurses’ families. Leveraging the goal progress theory, this study aimed to examine the association between patient mistreatment, nurses’ emotional exhaustion, and work-family conflict, as well as the mediating role of social sharing of negative work events and the moderating role of perceived organizational support.

During the COVID-19 pandemic in China, a cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample of 1627 nurses from the Hematology Specialist Alliance of Chongqing from October to November 2022. Questionnaires were administered to measure patient mistreatment, perceived organizational support, social sharing of negative work events, emotional exhaustion, and work-family conflict. Hierarchical linear regression and conditional processes were used for statistical analyses.

Patient mistreatment was positively associated with emotional exhaustion ( β  = 0.354, p  < 0.001) and work-family conflict ( β  = 0.314, p  < 0.001). Social sharing of negative work events played a partial mediating role in the relationship between patient mistreatment and emotional exhaustion (effect = 0.067, SE = 0.013), and work-family conflict (effect = 0.077, SE = 0.014). Moderated mediation analysis found that the mediation effect was stronger when the perceived organizational support was high.

Our findings reveal the amplifying effect of social sharing of negative work events on nurses’ emotional exhaustion and work-family conflict. Perceived organizational support strengthens the positive effect of patient mistreatment on the social sharing of negative work events, thus resulting in increased emotional exhaustion and work-family conflict. We also discuss practical implications, limitations, and directions for future research.

Peer Review reports

Introduction

With the outbreak of COVID-19, workplace violence in medical organizations have intensified, putting tremendous pressure on healthcare workers [ 1 , 2 ]. A survey of 522 Chinese nurses found that 55% of respondents had experienced workplace violence in the past 12 months, including verbal and physical aggression [ 3 ]. Workplace violence directly affected nurses’ job performance and organizational citizenship behavior [ 4 , 5 ], reduced their quality of life [ 6 ], and increased their psychological distress and turnover intention [ 7 , 8 ]. Among these, the behavior of patients and their families abusing nurses through insults, unreasonable demands, or physical attacks was described as patient mistreatment [ 9 ]. Previous research has confirmed that when nurses were mistreated by patients, they may experience persistent work meaninglessness, emotional exhaustion and depression [ 10 , 11 , 12 ], which further predicted their career withdrawal behavior and turnover intention [ 12 ].

Additionally, the negative impact of experiencing abuse from service users may spread from service providers to their families [ 13 ]. Research on customer mistreatment has shown that abusive stress events encountered by front-line service providers in the workplace can detrimentally affect their role performance in the family domain [ 14 ], consume additional resources, and lead to work-family conflict [ 15 ].

Some studies indicate that after experiencing negative events, individuals tend to share negative events with their families or friends to alleviate negative emotions [ 16 , 17 ]. However, whether social sharing of negative work events can attenuate emotional exhaustion and reduce work-family conflict remains undetermined [ 18 ]. In this study, we examine the mediating effect of social sharing of negative work events between patient mistreatment and emotional exhaustion and work-family conflict.

One common solution for employees to address workplace violence was to seek organizational support [ 19 , 20 ]. However, evidence from several studies suggested that organizational support didn’t mitigate the relationship between workplace violence and stress [ 21 , 22 , 23 ], suggesting that the benefit of organizational support is controversial. Thus, this study explores the moderating role of perceived organizational support (POS) in the effect of patient mistreatment on emotional exhaustion and work-family conflict via social sharing of negative work events.

It can be observed that existing literature on the functional mechanism of patient mistreatment and its spillover impact on nurses’ family domain remains rare and far from unanimous. Therefore, this study establishes and tests a theoretical model of the effects of patient mistreatment on nurses’ emotional exhaustion and work-family conflict and explores the underlying mechanism and boundary condition of this relationship. To be more specific, we aim to answer the following questions: Does patient mistreatment increase nurses’ emotional exhaustion and work-family conflict through social sharing of negative work events? Could perceived organizational support intensify the mediating effect of social sharing of negative work events?

Patient mistreatment, emotional exhaustion and work-family conflict

Similar to customer mistreatment, patient mistreatment occurs when nurses experience unfair interpersonal treatment from patients and their families, such as various forms of verbal attacks, including anger, cursing, shouting, and rudeness [ 24 , 25 ]. Patient mistreatment adversely affects the quality of medical service and work performance of nurses, and imposes threats to their mental health. Previous studies have shown that employees exhibit negative emotions such as emotional dysregulation, declining morale, and post-traumatic stress disorder [ 7 , 18 , 26 ] when frequently or intensely exposed to interpersonal mistreatment. Negative job attitudes predict subsequent burnout, withdrawal, and service-destroying behaviors [ 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 ]. Drawing on the goal progress theory [ 31 ], we argue that patient mistreatment interrupts the service achievement process, and the failure of achieving service goals triggers a constantly cognitive rumination process that could result in continuous emotional exhaustion [ 32 , 33 , 34 ]. Research has also shown that individuals who experience customer abuse in the workplace may transfer their negative emotions to family members [ 14 ]. This causes the harmful effects of customer mistreatment to spread throughout the area of employees’ family life [ 35 ]. Hence, it can be expected that:

Patient mistreatment is positively correlated with emotional exhaustion.

Patient mistreatment is positively correlated with work-family conflict.

Patient mistreatment and social sharing of negative work events

Empirical evidence showed that individuals tend to share negative experiences with peers and friends in search of emotional support and to reduce burnout [ 18 , 36 ], which may occur from a few hours to several months after the event. This kind of sharing of negative sentiments in a relatively trusted environment can be generalized as social sharing of negative work events [ 18 ]. The more frequently nurses experience mistreatment, the stronger their intentions of social sharing will grow. Accordingly, we propose the following hypothesis:

Patient mistreatment is positively correlated with social sharing of negative work events.

The mediating role of social sharing of negative work events

Social sharing involves confronting negative emotions and expressing them verbally in a safe environment [ 37 ]. However, social sharing of negative work events may be a maladaptive coping strategy that employees adopt when facing patient mistreatment, falling under the domain of social cognitive rumination [ 18 , 38 ]. According to the goal progress theory, social sharing further promotes repetitive discussions or rehearsals of negative events [ 39 ]. It can engulf nurses in work rumination, affecting their subsequent work engagement [ 40 ]. Employees who are deeply immersed in negative work events for a long time may find it difficult to detach themselves from work and are unable to address the emotional needs generated by rumination [ 41 ]. Jeon (2021) also found that emotional rumination caused by work communication resulted in more emotional exhaustion [ 42 ]. Huang (2022) demonstrated that when peers engage in co-rumination due to negative events, it exacerbated working pressure, negative moods and psychological problems [ 43 ]. We believe that sharing negative events within a social context leads to a more negative view of patient mistreatment, thus aggravating emotional exhaustion after work [ 44 ] and causing further depletion of nurses’ cognitive and emotional resources [ 45 ].

Additionally, when employees focus on negative work events for extended periods, they invest a significant amount of time and energy into uncompleted work goals, thereby disrupting the time that could be allocated to family activities, often leading to disappointment and frustration for both employees and their families [ 46 , 47 ]. It is documented that individuals subjected to severe customer mistreatment have fewer resources available to meet family needs, thereby increasing work-family conflict (WFC) [ 48 ]. The repetitive thinking triggered by negative work events makes it difficult for individuals to sufficiently engage in family roles, thus resulting in negative emotions spilling over from workplace into family life [ 14 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 ]. Park and Kim (2019) also articulated that the harmful effects of customer mistreatment extended into the personal life domain [ 35 ]. Thus, we propose the following hypotheses:

Social sharing of negative work events plays a mediating role between patient mistreatment and emotional exhaustion.

Social sharing of negative work events plays a mediating role between patient mistreatment and work-family conflict.

The moderating role of perceived organizational support

Perceived organizational support refers to the overall perception of employees regarding the organization’s willingness to help them, value their contributions, and care about their overall well-being [ 53 ]. It is commonly believed to be helpful in dealing with the problems such as work frustration and burnout [ 54 , 55 ]. POS meets the socio-emotional needs of respect, belonging, emotional support and recognition in the workplace [ 56 ], providing a safer and more trusted environment in which employees are more likely to share negative events with colleagues or peers [ 57 ]. We propose that:

H4. Perceived organizational support moderates the relationship between patient mistreatment and social sharing of negative work events, and this positive relationship is stronger when perceived organizational support is high (vs. low).

As elaborated in H3, patient mistreatment could be perceived by nurses as a failure of personal service goals, indicating that nurses have not successfully fulfilled their obligations and job requirements. This brings huge psychological and role pressure [ 58 , 59 , 60 ]. Perceived stress leads to negative emotional focus and cognitive rumination, which manifests as recursive thinking and sharing of negative work events, thus triggering job burnout [ 61 ]. Combining Hypotheses 1, 2, 3a, 3b and 4, we propose that the mediating effect of social sharing of negative work events will be moderated by perceived organizational support:

H5a . Perceived organizational support moderates the indirect influence of.

patient mistreatment on emotional exhaustion through social sharing of negative work events, and the indirect influence is stronger when the level of perceived organizational support is high (vs. low).

H5b. Perceived organizational support moderates the indirect influence of.

patient mistreatment on work-family conflict through social sharing of negative work events, and the indirect influence is stronger when the level of perceived organizational support is high (vs. low).

We summarize our conceptual model in Fig.  1 .

Conceptual model

Study design and setting

This study exploited a cross-sectional design to investigate the relationship between patient mistreatment, emotional exhaustion, and work-family conflict among Chinese nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic after the lockdown was imposed in mainland China. During the pandemic, our participants performed heavy work tasks and experienced psychological stress.

Participants and data collection

Collaborating with the Chongqing Hematology Specialist Alliance, we initiated a call for research on patient mistreatment and obtained a convenient sample. Clinical nurses were invited to participate in the survey through one-to-one contact. The inclusion criteria were as follows: (1) possession of a nursing practice license; (2) working as a clinical nurse; and (3) informed consent and voluntary participation. The exclusion criteria were as follows: (1) nurses with further education; (2) interns; (3) trainees; and (4) off-duty nurses (on leave, sick leave, or out for studying). To prevent COVID-19 risk, we used an online electronic questionnaire for ease of operation.

A small-scale pilot survey was conducted before the formal survey to ensure the rationality of questions and the accuracy of expressions. An anonymous cross-sectional online survey was conducted via the questionnaire website of Wenjuanxing (link: https://www.wjx.cn/ ) from October 9 to November 1, 2022. Finally, we obtained a sample of 1627 valid responses.

The measurement used was originally published in English; therefore, we adopted Brislin’s (1986) suggestion and translated the scale forward and backward to ensure Chinese equivalence and prevent semantic bias problems [ 62 ].

• Patient mistreatment

We measured patient mistreatment using the 18 items developed by Wang et al. (2011) [ 63 ]. Some minor modifications were made to suit the hospital environment since the original scale was designed to assess customer mistreatment. Sample items included “Patients demanded special treatment” and “Patients took their bad temper out on you”. The respondents reported the frequency with which they had experienced mistreatment from their patients within the last three months. Each item was measured on a 5-point Likert scale (“0” = never and “4” = all of the time). The alpha coefficient was 0.95.

• Social sharing of negative work events

We used the four items developed by Baranik et al. (2017) to capture the social sharing of negative work events [ 18 ]. Participants were asked how frequently they had talked about unpleasant things that had occurred at work in the past month with their lovers, family members, friends, and coworkers. Responses were recorded on a five-point scale (“0” = never and “4” = often). The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was 0.86.

• Emotional exhaustion

Emotional exhaustion was measured using the emotional exhaustion component of Maslach et al.‘s (2001) MBI scale [ 64 ], which consisted of nine items. Sample items included “I feel emotionally drained from my work.” Responses were made on a seven-point scale (“1” = never and “7” = every day). The alpha coefficient for this scale was 0.93.

• Work-family conflict

Work-family conflict was measured using the five-item subscale of Netemeyer et al.’s (1996) [ 46 ]. A sample item is “The stress of my job makes it difficult for me to meet my family responsibilities.” Participants indicated their agreement with the items on a 7-point Likert scale (“1” = strongly disagree and “7” = strongly agree). The alpha coefficient for this scale was 0.94.

• Perceived organizational support

We used the eight items developed by Shen and Benson (2016) to measure perceived organizational support [ 65 ]. Sample items included “My organization values my contributions to the organization” and “The organization really cares about my health and welfare.” Responses were recorded on a seven-point Likert scale (“0” = strongly disagree and “6” = strongly agree). The alpha coefficient for the entire scale was 0.90.

Control variables

Following previous studies [ 19 , 20 ], we controlled for nurses’ gender, age, education, working years and position, all of which have been shown to possibly correlate with emotion exhaustion and work-family conflict. In addition, we controlled for marital status and children, two variables that may have an impact on work-family conflict [ 66 , 67 ].

Statistical analysis

We used SPSS 25.0, Amos 23.0 and Mplus 8.5 for data analysis. Descriptive statistics were used to present the demographic characteristics of the sample. Pearson correlation analysis was used to explore the correlations among patient mistreatment, social sharing of negative work events, perceived organizational support, emotional exhaustion, and work-family conflict. Harman’s single factor analysis and the confirmatory factor analysis were used to investigate the common methods variance (CMV). In addition, we tested the hypotheses using hierarchical regression analysis, bootstrapping tests, and conditional process analysis (specifically, moderated mediation in this study).

Characteristics of participants

The demographic characteristics of the participants are presented in Table  1 . A total of 1627 nurses participated in the study, with a mean age of 31.3 years (SD = 6.0). Among them, 94.7% were female and 5.3% were male. The average number of working years was 9.3 (SD = 6.4). Most participants were married (62.6%) and had undergraduate degree (89.7%). 76.8% of participants were primary nurses. More than half of the participants had children (56.5%).

Correlations among variables

Table  2 presents the means, standard deviations, and correlations of all the measured variables. First, the results indicated that patient mistreatment was positively correlated with social sharing of negative work events ( r  = 0.198, p  < 0.01), emotional exhaustion ( r  = 0.361, p  < 0.01) and work-family conflict ( r  = 0.316, p  < 0.01), and negatively correlated with perceived organizational support ( r =-0.319, p  < 0.01). Furthermore, social sharing of negative work events, emotional exhaustion, and work-family conflict were all negatively correlated with perceived organizational support ( r =-0.193, p  < 0.01; r =-0.471, p  < 0.01; r =-0.460, p  < 0.01; respectively).

We used the Harman single-factor test to assess the common method variance (CMV). Factor analysis shows that the first principal component explained 33.20% of total variance, suggesting that the same source bias is not severe in this study. Before testing our hypotheses, we conducted confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) to confirm the factor structure of our measurement model. As shown in Table  3 , the proposed five-factor model fits the data better: χ 2  = 2492.156, df  = 831, Confirmatory Fit Index (CFI) = 0.971, Tucker-Lewis Index (TLI) = 0.970, and root-mean-square error of approximation (RMSEA) = 0.035. Thus, the distinctiveness of key constructs is supported [ 68 ].

Testing for the mediating effect

We used hierarchical regression and bootstrapping technique to test the mediation hypotheses. As shown in Table  4 , patient mistreatment was positively associated with emotional exhaustion in Model 5 ( β  = 0.354, p  < 0.001) and work-family conflict in Model 8 ( β =  0.314, p <  0.001), thus supporting H1. The test for the mediating effect followed the recommended procedures by Baron and Kenny (1986) [ 69 ]. First, Model 2 indicated a positive correlation between patient mistreatment and social sharing of negative work events ( β  = 0.201, p  < 0.001), supporting H2. Second, Model 6 and Model 9 indicated that social sharing of negative work events was positively associated with both emotional exhaustion ( β  = 0.199, p  < 0.001) and work-family conflict ( β =  0.206, p  < 0.001). Finally, although patient mistreatment was still significantly associated with emotional exhaustion in Model 6 ( β  = 0.314, p  < 0.001) and work-family conflict in Model 9 ( β  = 0.272, p  < 0.001) after the introduction of mediation variables, the size of effects was slightly weakened, suggesting that there exists a partial mediation effect.

We also calculated the indirect effects of patient mistreatment on two outcome variables via social sharing of negative work events and its 95% confidence interval, which was repeated 5000 times using bootstrapping technique. Bootstrapping is useful for testing indirect effects because it produces a repeated replacement sampling distribution of indirect effects rather than assuming a normal distribution (Preacher and Hayes, 2008) [ 70 ]. The results are presented in Table  5 . Social sharing of negative work events significantly mediated the relationship between patient mistreatment and emotional exhaustion (estimate = 0.067, 95% CI = [0.043, 0.094]) and work-family conflict (estimate = 0.077, 95% CI = [0.050, 0.108]). Taken together, these results support H3a and H3b.

Testing for the moderated mediation effect

In our conceptual model, perceived organizational support was proposed to moderate the relationship between patient mistreatment, emotional exhaustion and work-family conflict via social sharing of negative work events. Following Aiken and West (1991), we mean-centered the variables used to form the interaction term [ 71 ]. As shown in the Model 3 of Table  4 , the interaction between patient mistreatment and perceived organizational support was significantly correlated with social sharing of negative work events ( β  = 0.074, p  < 0.01), supporting H4.

We used the Process plug-in to conduct a simple slope analysis [ 70 , 72 ]; the results are shown in Table  6 . The interaction patterns are shown in Fig.  2 . The graph shows that when perceived organizational support was low (-1SD), patient mistreatment was positively correlated with social sharing of negative work events (simple slope = 0.156, p  < 0.001), which was smaller than the coefficient when perceived organizational support was high (+ 1 SD) (simple slope = 0.338, p  < 0.001).

Moderating effect of POS on the relationship between patient mistreatment and social sharing of negative work events. Note PM = Patient Mistreatment; POS = Perceived Organizational Support; SS = Social Sharing of Negative Work Events

Finally, we used Mplus 8.5 to examine the moderated mediating effects. The results in Table  7 show that the indirect effect of patient mistreatment on emotional exhaustion via social sharing of negative work events was positive and statistically significant when perceived organizational support was low (estimate = 0.029, 95% CI = [0.013, 0.047]) and high (estimate = 0.060, 95% CI = [0.035, 0.092]) There was a significant difference in indirect effects between high and low perceived organizational support (estimate = 0.037, 95% CI= [0.005, 0.074]), supporting H5a. Similarly, the indirect effect of patient mistreatment on work-family conflict via social sharing of negative work events was significant when perceived organizational support was low (estimate = 0.033,95% CI = [0.015, 0.055]) and high (estimate = 0.070, 95%CI = [0.039, 0.106]). The difference in indirect effects between high and low perceived organizational support was significant (estimate = 0.037, 95% CI= [0.005, 0.074]), supporting H5b.

In addition, we use the Johnson-Neyman method to depict continuous confidence intervals for indirect effects [ 73 ]. Figure  3 shows that the continuous intervals of indirect effect are greater than zero, and increasing with the perceived organization support. The higher the perceived organizational support, the stronger the effect of patient mistreatment on emotional exhaustion through social sharing of negative work events. Figure  4 shows similar pattern when work-family conflict is the outcome variable.

Conditional indirect effects of patient mistreatment on emotional exhaustion (via social sharing of negative work events) at different levels of perceived organizational support (POS)

Conditional indirect effects of patient mistreatment on work-family conflict (via social sharing of negative work events) at different levels of perceived organizational support (POS)

Leveraging the goal progress theory, this study found that social sharing of negative work events mediated the relationship between patient mistreatment and work-family conflict and emotional exhaustion. The results of the moderated mediation analysis showed that the indirect effects of social sharing of negative events on the two outcomes caused by patient mistreatment were stronger among nurses with high (vs. low) perceived organizational support.

Our study contributes to the literature on the adverse consequences and negative emotions associated with patient mistreatment in several ways. Firstly, the research expands the scopes of literature on the outcomes of patient abuse by innovatively introducing the work-family conflict into the model. Previous research mainly focused on personal aspects directly related to work such as sleep quality, job satisfaction, and career withdrawal [ 27 , 74 , 75 ]. Our findings indicate that the boundary between work and family life is permeable, and negative emotions may flow from the work area into the family domain, causing certain conflicts.

Secondly, based on the goal progress theory [ 31 ], we explored the mediating role of social sharing of negative work events between patient mistreatment and negative outcomes, filling the research gap in this area. The social sharing of negative work events may be a maladaptive coping mechanism in stressful environments. It is a process of social cognitive rumination of service failure that challenges the self-concept of nurses and a typical manifestation of shared ruminative thinking that hinders the positive thinking at individual and/or team levels [ 34 ]. Our findings suggest that patient mistreatment, as a source of stress, produces a sufficiently long duration of negative emotions, which will be further amplified in the process of social sharing [ 40 ], eventually affecting the role conflict between work and family [ 43 ].

Thirdly, we incorporated perceived organizational support as a boundary condition and investigate its moderating role in the effects of patient mistreatment on emotional exhaustion and work-family conflict via social sharing of negative work events. The higher the perceived organizational support, the more likely employees were to experience severe rumination, resulting in further burnout. Perceived organizational support does not always produce positive outcomes [ 58 ] and in some circumstances it enhances the rumination of negative events, leading to greater occupational and psychological stress [ 61 ]. This finding enriches our understanding of the mechanism by which patient abuse affects nurses’ emotions and reactions in the context of the pandemic.

Limitations and future directions

This study has several limitations. First, our research was conducted in the context of the Confucian Chinese culture. Thus, Chinese nurses tend to show greater tolerance for patient mistreatment, since considering the overall interests of the organization is of great priority in a collective society. However, the same result may not hold for individualistic cultures. It is important to consider whether similar conclusions can be drawn in different cultural contexts.

Second, this cross-sectional study required nurses to recall patient mistreatment and negative emotions over previous months. Nurses’ subjective recall may have produced retrospective bias. Future research should use diary studies or experience-sampling techniques to record changes or fluctuations in patient mistreatment and nurses’ emotions over time.

Moreover, our findings supported the negative influences of the patient mistreatment. However, effective alleviations or remedies remained largely unexplored. It is highly recommended to study mindfulness interventions and other mechanisms to deal with patient mistreatment [ 74 ].

Practical implications

Previous research has indicated that patient mistreatment decreases frontline nurses’ job enthusiasm, thereby damaging job satisfaction and triggering withdrawal behaviors and dysfunction in the work-family domain [ 27 , 44 , 75 ]. This study shows that Chinese nurses suffer from emotional exhaustion and work-family conflict caused by patient mistreatment. Managers can employ certain techniques during recruitment to select individuals who are better equipped to handle patients’ incivility during frontline work [ 76 , 77 ].

Moreover, managers can provide frontline staff with training and guidance, simulate scenarios of patient mistreatment, and improve their ability to address patient incivility [ 78 ]. At the meantime, managers should be careful with the polices regarding the social sharing within the organization. Too much exposure and immersion into the rumination of negative work events may deteriorate morale and cause personal and family problems. Additionally, medical professionals should be encouraged to have a positive mindset and demonstrate empathy and compassion towards patients while providing medical services to minimize unnecessary conflicts [ 22 , 79 , 80 , 81 ].

Furthermore, hospital managers can establish eye-catching signs and indicators to guide patients to behave correctly and maintain a civilized manner throughout the treatment process. Society should collaborate with hospitals to create an appropriate medical environment for all patients by encouraging them and their families to take respectful and responsible actions, which will help nurses improve their work efficiency [ 82 ].

This study provides empirical evidence that patient mistreatment causes nurses’ emotional exhaustion and work-family conflict through the social sharing of negative work events. The findings of this study enrich the understanding of the mediating mechanism of patient mistreatment affecting nurses’ emotions and work-family conflict. We also reveal how perceived organizational support, as a moderating variable, enhances the positive relationship between patient mistreatment and the social sharing of negative work events and highlight that organizational support could result in greater psychological stress and family-related conflicts induced by patient mistreatment and mediated by social sharing of negative work events. Therefore, to effectively deal with patient mistreatment, hospital managers should provide training and other resources to nurses, help them regulate their negative emotions, and achieve a balance between work and family. Finally, patients should be educated to receive medical services in a civilized manner.

Data availability

The data that support the findings of this study are available on request from the corresponding author. The data are not publicly available due to privacy or ethical restrictions. We affirm that the methods used in the data analyses are suitably applied to our data within our study design and context, and the statistical findings have been implemented and interpreted correctly.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank all nurse participants and Zhang Yong, Li Hua, Ma Li, and Wee Chow Hou for their helpful comments as well as the seminar participants at Chongqing University, Peking University, and Nanyang Technological University.

This study was supported by the National Social Science Foundation of China (Grant number: 19BJY052, 22BGL141), National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant number: 72110107002, 71974021), Natural Science Foundation of Chongqing (Grant number: cstc2021jcyj-msxmX0689), Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (Grant number: 2022CDJSKJC14), and Chongqing Social Science Planning Project (Grant number: 2018PY76).

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Development and Planning Department, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400000, China

Medical Center of Hematology, Xinqiao Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burn and Combined Injury, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University, Chongqing, China

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Wei Yan and Zeqing Cheng designed the study and prepared the first draft of this manuscript. Di Xiao and Xin Du participated in the data analysis. Huan Wang contributed to writing and revising the manuscript. Li Li and Caiping Song contributed to data collection and analysis. All the authors have read and approved the final version of the manuscript.

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Ethical approval was obtained from the Ethics Committee of the School of Economics and Business Administration of Chongqing University (IRB No. SEBA201906). Authors explained research objectives and procedures to all participants who were assured that their participation in this study was voluntary and anonymous. All procedures performed in this study were in accordance with the ethical standards of the National Research Council and Helsinki Declaration of 2013. Informed consent was obtained from all subjects and/or their legal guardian(s).

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Yan, W., Cheng, Z., Xiao, D. et al. Patient mistreatment, emotional exhaustion and work-family conflict among nurses: a moderated mediation model of social sharing of negative work events and perceived organizational support. BMC Med Educ 24 , 1041 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-024-06022-9

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Received : 10 April 2024

Accepted : 13 September 2024

Published : 27 September 2024

DOI : https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-024-06022-9

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