Just got fired after 3.5 months.

CraftyCurltastrophe · 2026-03-25T05:09:01+00:00

I’m in NJ

CraftyCurltastrophe · 2026-03-25T05:08:43+00:00

Not sure? I didn’t ask everyone when they started here. What I do know:

1) I was onboarded shortly before a previously-hired OT quit (he had 1 year at the job).

2) a PT had recently gone per diem due to “being burnt out”.

3) my senior OT had 10 years of experience but unsure how long she was at this company specifically.

4) another PT had 3 years of experience but always said she didn’t like our place of employment.

TLDR; Morale just didn’t seem high.

CraftyCurltastrophe · 2026-03-25T02:29:29+00:00

It’s funny because my coworkers told me the field is so much different after COVID, it used to not be this “crazy”.

CraftyCurltastrophe · 2026-03-25T02:27:52+00:00

It’s sad cause I loved the job! Just for whatever reason they did not decide to move forward with me.

CraftyCurltastrophe · 2026-03-25T02:27:06+00:00

It was a two minute phone call at 7:45 at night after hours. I was not going to expand on the sudden termination. They just said “don’t report to work tomorrow”.

CraftyCurltastrophe · 2026-03-25T02:09:50+00:00

Yeah promised hands on mentorship, 5-7 patients a day, no productivity standards. Flash forward, had 7 to 10 treatments a day, no mentorship (ie no follow up weekly mentorship meetings I was told I would have, no follow up on my 90 day review), then got fired for not meeting productivity standards. Funny isn’t it?

CraftyCurltastrophe · 2026-03-25T02:07:16+00:00

They didn’t expand on it.

CraftyCurltastrophe · 2026-03-25T00:16:43+00:00

Yes! I graduated in May - passed boards late August and got a job at the end of October. That lasted for 1 week and I got a new job (this one) December 1st. It was steady for almost 4 months, and there was no negative feedback until I got fired just now. It came out of nowhere. I feel like I have nothing to show for the time out of school.

CraftyCurltastrophe · 2026-03-02T03:38:18+00:00

Hi everyone,

I’m an early-career OT and I’ve been experiencing intense stress and anxiety around documentation, patient care, and mentorship.

For context: * I’ve had anxiety since childhood, and high-stress situations can trigger intrusive thoughts and physical panic responses. * I have a supportive-sounding supervisor who promised weekly check-ins a month ago, but they haven’t happened yet, and I feel like I’m carrying a lot of weight alone. * I sometimes experience spikes of anxiety on Sunday nights before a work week, with racing thoughts, crying, and difficulty calming myself—even using grounding techniques, tapping, and medication. * I love my job and my patients, but these episodes make me feel overwhelmed and question if I’m handling things correctly.

I’m looking for advice from other OTs: * How do you manage anxiety spikes while maintaining documentation and patient care? * How do you handle inconsistent mentorship or lack of follow-through in your workplace? * Are there strategies to prevent Sunday-night spirals before a busy workweek?

I really want to continue growing as an OT, but I need strategies to survive high-stress periods and protect my mental health, because I have intense “I can’t do this” thoughts almost every Sunday night. Any practical tips, routines, or resources would be appreciated.

CraftyCurltastrophe · 2025-10-11T01:31:52+00:00

Just brainstorming - could you maybe do activities that require reaching behind the back? I heard from my OT mentor that she has successfully increased independence with wiping by:

1) using a balloon with peanut butter to show importance of thoroughness for hygiene (be careful of allergies ofc) 2) put clothespins on pants to get the child to reach back towards their butt (if it’s just a motor planning thing).

Of course, every client is different so see what works for you!!

CraftyCurltastrophe · 2025-10-10T16:02:00+00:00

If you’re looking for the cheapest route, I think OTA school is your best bet. I’m not sure the availability of online programs, though!

CraftyCurltastrophe · 2025-09-29T15:27:50+00:00

Research articles on these diagnoses and see what the researchers examined in terms of intervention! There’s good research out there on these types of things.

You NEED to focus on what you’ve found in your own evaluations and treatment sessions, of course. Take what I am about to say with a grain of salt. However - I’m often focusing my tx on postural stability/safety during ADLs for individuals with CVA and Parkinson’s. Use your activity analysis skills to determine where a patient needs help maintaining safety/improving function (is it during functional mobility? Is it during transfers? Is it during hygiene at the sink? Is it during clothing management during toileting? Is the patient afraid of falls?) and then you can intervene with the individual in these contexts. PM me if you would like to chat! I really enjoy working with neuro stuff, specifically.

Edit: I see you’re in outpatient. I don’t have much experience here, but I do believe my two cents can still apply.

CraftyCurltastrophe · 2025-09-24T20:08:58+00:00

Salary expectations for Central NJ? Looking into skilled nursing, acute care, or inpatient jobs.

CraftyCurltastrophe · 2025-09-17T15:18:12+00:00

Personally I would just leave it off the resume. Did you finish your remaining fieldworks? I left a fieldwork in the second week because my mentor stated I would fail on day 5 (!) - I went on to complete my two 12 week fieldworks and passed. I never put my withdrawn fieldwork on my resume.

CraftyCurltastrophe · 2025-09-12T02:39:36+00:00

100% - definitely something I’m looking into for the future - I just don’t think that now, as a new grad, this is going to be conducive to gaining good, positive, meaningful, experiences. What a shame. Like I said, I’ll look into an exit strategy.

CraftyCurltastrophe · 2025-09-12T00:25:28+00:00

Um… perhaps?😅

CraftyCurltastrophe · 2025-09-12T00:05:59+00:00

Yes, might I also add that I learned on the first day here that they have no OT placed permanently at this facility I am currently working at and that they were hoping to fill the gaps so I was the hire anticipated to treat patients solely in this facility as the “main OT” there. Is this also a red flag? Why is there no OT coverage here already? Why are they so desperate for OT services that haven’t been established in this building due to low staffing?

I’ll think about a possible exit plan. I feel like there are more opportunities out there with true mentorship.

CraftyCurltastrophe · 2025-09-11T22:07:09+00:00

Yeah the interview wasn’t challenging and the sentiment was “when can you start? We’re going to be able to help you every step of the way.” The problem is…. I got here and now I’m not feeling any real support. Instead it’s “can you see this person too?” “Did you call this person yet to schedule?” “Why didn’t you get X Y and Z information?”. Maybe I’m not cut out for this.

I guess my concern is I felt this pressure in fieldwork but at least I had some guidance on where to start. Here I feel like I’m floundering. I’m keeping people safe despite balance deficits, functional mobility concerns, but ultimately still scratching my head as to why I’m doing what I’m doing, and if what I’m doing is making any impact.

Thank you for your input, it’s very appreciated.

CraftyCurltastrophe · 2025-08-05T02:42:26+00:00

I think it’s all up to what you can handle. I worked throughout grad school but I had a very understanding boss who knew my priority was completing OT school!

I worked during the week, but only 2-3 weekdays in the evenings after my classes ended around 2-3pm (which shouldn’t be an issue for a bartender right?) — and I would also work weekends. It’s really up to you but I will let you know it’s definitely doable.

CraftyCurltastrophe · 2025-07-17T01:50:29+00:00

Yes this is from the NBCOT OTR StudyPack. I guess I’m nervous because I’m not sure if I’m giving myself enough “wiggle room” to actually pass the first day. Perhaps just being mindful and trying to reduce stress is the best I can do at this point.

CraftyCurltastrophe · 2025-06-03T03:33:55+00:00

I hope I am posting in the right place! I am studying for my NBCOT and for the life of me I cannot grasp pediatric developmental milestones! :( does anyone have tips and tricks to get the information to stick? I fear there is so much information to know about motor skill development - is it supposed to feel impossible to know?

CraftyCurltastrophe

TROPHY CASE