At Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice, we encourage learning and collaboration to advance pediatric hospice palliative care and grief support in our region. We are grateful to welcome social work learners to engage with and support our team. One of our recent learners, Jessika Oneid, completed her practicum with Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice and shared some of her insights from this experience.
Introduce yourself and describe your social work practicum with Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice.
My name is Jessika Oneid and I completed my Master of Social Work practicum at RNCH. In my previous role in addictions and mental health, I often encountered illness, injury and sometimes death. These experiences made me want to learn more about grief, particularly around how to support families navigating grief. I knew RNCH was a place of compassion where both staff and families have knowledge and experience with the complexities of grief and loss. I also wanted to gain experience working with children and families in a meaningful way.
What moments or experiences during your time at Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice stood out to you and had a lasting impact?
There were so many moments that stood out. I was in awe of the team at CHEO and RNCH and the incredible care they provide to children and families, even in the most difficult and vulnerable circumstances. Their dedication and compassion left a lasting impression on me.
What skills did you develop through your experience at Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice?
During my placement, I co-facilitated the RNCH Perinatal Grief Circle, providing counseling to individuals and families and gaining experience supporting those in grief. I developed my ability to foster strong, supportive therapeutic relationships and my understanding of how grief impacts family systems.
I learned about the many misconceptions surrounding grief. Sometimes, what people say, or don’t say, to someone who is grieving can have a profound impact. I also learned that grief does not follow a linear path and that no two experiences are the same. This experience helped me grow both professionally and personally, strengthening my skills in working with families during some of their most challenging moments.
Did Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice shape or change your perspective on working with children with life-limiting conditions and their families?
I’ve always had compassion for children with life-limiting conditions and their families. My time at RNCH truly opened my eyes to the depth of their experiences and I’m grateful for the trust they placed in me during my time here. The love and care parents and caregivers pour into their children is evident in every interaction, making it truly special to witness.
I think it’s easy to assume that a children’s hospice or palliative care environment is a sad place, but what I witnessed daily was so much joy, like children laughing in the Snoezelen room and playing with the incredible volunteers and recreation therapists. There is so much love and happiness here, and that’s something you don’t fully understand until you spend time at RNCH. It’s truly a community here — one with many special visitors like miniature horses, reindeer, mermaids and members of the Ottawa Senators.
What advice would you give to other social work students considering a placement in palliative care or with Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice?
Come in with an open mind and a willingness to learn. Let go of any assumptions you might have about palliative care or grief. The work being done here is incredibly important and the skills and insights you’ll gain will be invaluable. Not just for your professional growth but for the way you understand and support others in your career moving forward.
Thank you, Jessika, for all your contributions to our work and supporting children and their families.
Learn and be inspired at Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice
Placements at Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice are an opportunity to be inspired and engaged with leaders in pediatric palliative care and grief support. For more information on how to get involved, please contact us.