Evaluating social work field instruction: Rotations versus year-long placements

A replication of a previously reported fieldwork evaluation study is presented. The study involved a comparison of a typical, year-long fieldwork placement composed of three distinct rotations, each approximately 10 weeks in length. The sample included 23 social work students in a large, urban, public hospital. Changes in students' general sense of self-efficacy, self-efficacy regarding specific professional activities, and perceptions of both their ideal and actual work environment were assessed. In general, results very similar to the original study were observed. There were no significant intergroup differences and virtually no changes in students' general sense of self-efficacy. There were no significant intergroup differences in student's self-efficacy regarding hospital social work, but for the group as a whole, there were significant increases over the course of the academic year. The trend was for rotation students to view the work environment more positively.