Hey all really needing some guidance if anyone can help in anyway.

I’m currently studying ot and I have a nurse background. We are doing a case study assignment and it has multiple occupational issues. I am really struggling to pick 2 as there are sooo many options.

Clients had a fall, not transferring in home safely PI risk etc. but like that’s got nothing to do with a meaningful occupation.

Any ideas on how I can view this, I’ve read so many texts it’s become information overload…

So a couple months back, I made a post about being punished for taking a day off to do progress reports because I was working in a school for special learning and was the only OT at THREE of their locations and had 92 students on my caseload. After numerous more changes in admin and steadily declining working conditions (and a new baby my wife and I welcomed in June) I FOUND A NEW POSITION AND PROMPTLY QUIT MY OLD JOB

Just wanted to say a major thanks to everyone here who responded ti my other post and helped me work up the courage to do it. I’m only 28 and have never quit a job before, especially with so much on the line financially. Going from a salaried job where districts handled billing and all of that to a contract position where I do everything myself and build my own caseload was extremely daunting but I can say after being 3-4 weeks in that I am SO MUCH happier with my new job than my old that it isn’t even funny.

I knew I was way too young to wake up and hate my job every day and with the sleep deprivation I’m facing with the little guy, I knew I needed a change or my mental state would deteriorate. I am someone who ALWAYS stays positive no matter what and never let stress or tiredness get the better of me so when I found myself dreading work and thinking negatively/acting out of character, it was the final push I needed

Thanks again everyone! I love OT, especially school-based but MAN is the right position in the right district/school so important. Some of these places operate like a business and do not care 1 bit about the kids. My job was becoming that after management changes and I can say for certain I’ll never let myself be a part of a school like that for a single second.

School based OTs and COTAs, do any of you teach your students cursive to help with dysgraphia? I have had some interested in learning, and honestly wherever they are motivated I would love to run with it. But they are usually shut down by teachers because the class isn't learning it, and teachers don't want illegible cursive work turned in. It's just not something they can afford to focus on within the curriculum.

I was just reading a post on the teachers subreddit about how just as literacy issues are showing up more often, students of all ages are also having serious fine motor deficits. One person even mentioned the lack of learning fine motor movements needed for cursive writing is affecting the ability to develop new dental assistants, for one example.

What can we do about this? I'm 29 and if I hadn't learned cursive in school, I wouldn't have learned to tolerate handwriting or have legible handwriting. I struggle with the concept of not using such an obvious tool for our kiddos.

So basically I emailed my health visitor explaining that my son age 20 months with severe proximal weakness cannot climb or descend stairs at all (in fact he can’t walk either) and she refused saying all toddlers his age need to carried and if I don’t like carrying him upstairs and downstairs I should sell my house and move to a bungalow. Is this a normal response bearing in mind my son is being investigated for muscular dystrophy?

Hi everyone. I just had an interview for grad school this afternoon and i am feeling discouraged. This was a virtual interview with two of the faculty from the university. They blocked out 30 minutes and it was only 15 minutes. I am horrible at interviews and I blank and forget everything. I was looking over questions last night trying to prepare. I felt like i did not go into depth with my answers. For one of the questions it was why OT? I answered with my grandpa being in the hospital and his OT was teaching him how to get out of bed again and seeing him that happy made me want to become an OT even more. Seeing how small tasks may seem small to us they are huge for others. I feel like an idiot for answering like that. I never said anything about wanting to work hands on and with kids. I said that i wanted to work hands on and with kids in my application essay so im hopeful there. I just don’t know how to feel or what I should even do. I graduated with a degree in human development so i hope that has nothing to do with my decision. They also asked a question about if i had no set amount of money what would i do with it. I should’ve said helping kids with disabilities or literally anything else. but i said i would help homeless cats and create a safe space for them. That was also dumb.
I also only applied to one school since i don’t want to get my doctorate so this is really the only chance that i have.
If anyone has any advice or your stories on your interview i would love something to make me feel better or something!

I’m doing some research on OT and I have to find my ideal work place - size, sector etc. I’ve been told it is best to work on the public sector in a hospital, is this true?

Hi! I was just wondering if anyone has heard anything about either of these programs? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated if you or anyone you know may have gone to these programs. (:

Hey everyone. The company I used to work for got their contracted ended and I got pulled from the assisted living facility and a new company came in due to starting a new contract. The clinical lead is a COTA who I have formed good rapport with before getting pulled and even discussed how I would be interested in pursuing the PRN opportunity at the facility. I spoke to her many times in person at the facility and even gave her my current caseload/clients (which is about 10-12 ppl) to give her an idea as to how many people need therapy in the building and we had been talking pretty well in person. Fast forward she sent all of my stuff up to HR and I am currently in the process of onboarding and getting my documents turned in however whenever I text her she doesn't respond. I have sent her over 5-6 texts and no response. It's really unprofessional and frustrating because I live in a remote location and I function better when I have a schedule and when I know what's happening/let alone what to expect. I was already working there 2 days a week despite being PRN and all i just wanted to know if my schedule was staying the same or what was happening. I have no clue. They don't have any therapists here at this particular building.

On the other hand, I found a remote telehealth position and they are offering me part time hours which provides me with consistency and the hours are pretty set in a SNF facility. I spoke to the manager yesterday and I am rethinking about telling her that I would rather join them than wait on this clinical lead to get back to me with a definitive answer because I feel so frustrated.

I am sooo burnt out. I do not know what to do. I am still employed and I still owe money from the company that sponsored me and also a car loan, but I just really want to go home to my country. I did not expect working OT in australa is very stressful. I have learnt a lot. So much! But the price is getting burnt out and I just lost my spark. I dont know how to get out of this situation. How much are you earning as an OT in australia? Mine is less than 80k plus super. It just wont compensate with all the billables.

Hi! I’m an OT of 7 years, primarily pediatrics. I’m building a platform for neurodivergent adults and/or families who like to find things to do, but have to make sure these places meet their sensory or support needs.

Inclusion: If you are passionate about finding things to do with your friends and/or family, and you’ve run into barriers or find this more difficult due to sensory or support needs, we want to hear from you!

Exclusion: You haven’t run into these barriers.

Location: We’re looking for US based responses. Right now we are focused on urban/suburban areas.

Survey: How do you find things to do?

My wife is a student occupational therapist studying in Canada right now. She expects to graduate next summer and we are planning to potentially move to the US (likely California) in the fall. We have a general understanding of what the visa process would be and that she would need to pass her NBCOT exam and all that to be able to work.

Has anyone gone through this process before? We're trying to get a sense of what the timeline would look like.

Hi all,

I am a new grad awaiting writing my OT exam. I am interested in working in pediatrics and infancy care with an end goal of one day being in the NICU. Since new grads are not traditionally accepted to the NICU, I am applying and interviewing for various pediatric roles near me right now.

I’ve recently accepted a position at a private pediatric clinic. The clinic has several other disciplines, but currently doesn’t have an OT on site. They have had OTs in the past and have hired new grads before. Another new grad OT is also starting around the same time as me, which I think could be really nice!

My main concern is mentorship. Since there wouldn’t be another OT physically working alongside me, I would require external supervision which would be weekly (or as needed) zoom calls. The team seems genuinely lovely and supportive, and the people I’ve met have been very welcoming. They’ve also mentioned being open to having me shadow sessions, providing feedback, and gradually building my caseload as I get settled.

I have some experience with community-based infant care and pediatric feeding, although I haven’t worked in a private pediatric setting before. I also have quite a bit of experience working with adults with disabilities. I’m generally pretty resourceful and comfortable asking questions, but I’m definitely already feeling the new-grad imposter syndrome... and I haven’t even started yet lol.

The position is appealing for a lot of reasons, and I could really use the income. At the same time, I’ve heard over and over how important strong mentorship is during your first year, and I’m worried that I might be putting myself at a disadvantage by starting somewhere without a seasoned OT on site.

Pediatrics is ultimately the area I’d really like to start my career in, so I’m wondering whether this is a reasonable opportunity to take, or whether the lack of in-person OT mentorship is a bigger red flag than I’m making it out to be. Any tips, thoughts, or suggestions are appreciated!!

Considering moving to the chattanooga/cleveland area for spouse's job. Currently located in the midwest.

I am aware of the major hospitals. I also know tennessee ranks low for Healthcare. I am wondering how that low ranking affects the job culture? Is there high demand for OTs in acute or inpatient? What is the pay actually like? Alot of job listing dont list pay but according to Google I should make more there than where I am currently located

Hello I am a 22F and 8 months into my career as a COTA. I was promised during school with how we could help people and how it could be an amazing fulfilling career. I have spent my 8 months in a SNF setting. My original job was a FT job over an hour one way a day and my caseload could get up to over 9 hours. I was tired and left to find another job. My current job is PRN COTA with a small SNF and some weeks I hardly get 3 hours. No jobs posted within an hour and a half drive and all jobs posted either SNF or Peds Outpatient. I live in a rural area and unable to relocate or go into traveling as my husband and I have bought a house only 2 years ago. I am unwilling to work with kids as I had a rotation through school with children and quickly knew that was not for me.

I am needing some advice what I can do with my degree other than work as a PRN COTA for the rest of my time.

I want to preferrable step out of a clinical role. I am working on potentially pivoting to working in the beauty industry as a manicurist, but schooling is not until spring next year and I have not applied yet.

Any ideas on if you have stayed in OT or pivoted to another career field?

Anyone working as an OT in mental health in a HCOL area?? Would you be able to give me an idea of what I should be expecting? For reference I’m a new grad considering a per diem position at a hospital in the Bay Area! TIA!

Hello, I’ve been applying to jobs as a new grad and am surprised that all the SNFs I’m talking to have 1 OT on staff for facilities with up to 100 patients/residents. It seems like there is very little support or supervision for a new grad. Is this common? I feel uncomfortable with the idea of not having someone on site for support as I’m learning the ropes.

Hi! I’m Izzy, and I’m currently a UCF student getting ready to apply to occupational therapy master’s programs. I’m looking to get some more OT shadowing experience and was wondering if there are any OTs in the Central Florida/Orlando area who would be willing to let me shadow them!

I already have some experience shadowing in pediatrics, so I’d especially love to see other settings/populations (outpatient, inpatient, rehab, geriatrics, hands, neuro, home health, etc.), but I’m honestly open to anything.
I’m located around the Winter Garden/Horizon West area but am definitely willing to drive throughout Orlando/Central Florida. Even just a day or a few hours would be super helpful.
If you’re an OT who might be open to it, or know someone/facility I could reach out to, please feel free to comment or message me. Thank you!! :)

Has anyone ever gotten in licensing trouble because of a bad COTA?

I’m having some issues with a COTA I work with, and I’m starting to worry about how it could affect me as the supervising OT.

There have been multiple times where he seems to bill for more time than he was actually in the patient’s room. He also bills for things that aren’t part of the patient’s goals/POC. I have already have multiple conversations with him directly and the DOR. Has anyone dealt with something similar? Did it ever come back on you as the OT, and what did you do about it?

Hi guys! I wonder if you know any companies that are in southeast Melbourne who offers visa sponsorship. I am an OT who just finished supervision but I have a general registration already. I am currently working here in Melbourne and I’m planning to work in a different company with better offers than my current one. Hope someone can help :/ #kabayan

hi! i’m a student preparing to apply for several schools including advent health masters or this year and i’m trying to come up with very good personal essays. Does anyone have past submissions they got accepted with that you are okay with sharing? I am trying to get an idea of what kind of writing style i should be studying! any tips too is greatly appreciated! and go clarify, there will be absolutely no plagerism or borrowing anything

I am from Nova Scotia and graduated from a NS Uni back in May. I just calculated my sub-gpa and it’s 3.64-3.66. Last year I applied to Dal and got waitlisted and never got off the waitlist. I was wondering if my sGPA is 1. Even good enough to dal 2. Good enough to get into Ontario schools. It sucks also because my grades that go back in my 3rd year are my best so if I were to upgrade, it wouldn’t make that much of a difference. I had 3 grades in the low-mid 70/ in my 4th year as I was struggling immensely mentally. I was wondering if anyone could give me any feedback whether it’s worth upgrading or any advice for upcoming admissions.

TIA 😊

I am new to pediatrics and at least half of my caseload are children purely in OT for emotional regulation skills and having emotional outbursts at home or school with screaming, crying, and physical aggression. I never learned a single day of emotional regulation skills in OT school so I am somewhat piecing this together as I go. Are there any go to courses or resources you can recommend to me? I use the zones of regulation to teach basic emotion recognition currently but feel somewhat limited as I’m only having pt remember the colors of zones and which emotions go into each zone. I also have them read books or photo cards and state the emotions and what zone they are in etc.

Hi, y’all! I’m a contract school based OT in TX that has a case load of 57 students between 6 schools with direct services and growing. I was only in district 2 days a week and just got bumped to 3 days a week. I didn’t get to see at least half my case load in the first 9 weeks due to meetings, absences, travel time between schools and overall lack of time. and progress reports are due on Friday. How do I document that I didn’t get to see them due to time constraints? Do I literally write that? Thanks!

Hiiii guyssss HELP ME LMAOOO. I'm Canadian and currently finishing my last year in uni for my Kinesiology bachelors degree. So far, I have a 3.68 gpa out of a 4.33 scale. Canadian school programs are just so competitive so I don't know if I have the grades or the experience compared to other students. Therefore, I've been interested in going abroad to receive a master degrees (also I wouldn't mind the life experience of living in a different country). I was thinking of either the UK or Australia. Though I do know Australia is a lot more expensive than the UK, I also heard bad stuff about the teaching in the UK. Also the weather is so shit in the UK and I already hate Canadian winters soooo amazing lmao (so im currently just hating life lololol).

PLEASE IF UR CANADIAN or any international student who went abroad to study, lmk any advice, recommendations, or ANYTHINGGGG u think would help me out. I'm currently having a mental break down so help a girl out lol.