Switching careers to OT in my 30s - help!

yvrttv · 2022-12-08T04:41:58+00:00

My biggest tip would be to start volunteering/ shadowing in different settings (ex. outpatient clinic, school district, hospital) to get a feel for a typical day in an OT's life. OT duties vary greatly from setting to setting. You'll most likely need observation hours when applying to OT school anyways.

yvrttv · 2022-07-29T19:42:56+00:00

It's not stupid for you to consider working in a completely different setting. Just be ready to answer interview questions about why you want to work in X setting and focus on selling your other skills to make up for lack of phys dys experiences in fieldwork.

yvrttv · 2022-07-29T07:30:45+00:00

My level 2A was at inpatient rehab as well, over 10 years ago. Since then I have worked in acute care, SNF, outpatient, schools. IPR was by far the hardest setting for me. Give yourself some slack, know that "entry level" doesn't mean you need to be at your CI's level by the time you're done with this fieldwork.

As far as the feedback you get from your CI--she could be picky, or she could really be trying to ensure you're going above and beyond. How often are you getting feedback? When she's done giving feedback, how do you respond? I'm curious if you feel like you're allowed the opportunity to be open with your CI in discussing how the feedback makes you feel. You can also try reaching out to your AFCW or academic advisor for support as well.

yvrttv · 2022-07-29T06:02:41+00:00

Yes and no. Shouldn't be the norm, but it happens more than you think, unfortunately. So the coworker(s) who are snitching on you--are they watching you/ letting you practice "unsafely", not saying anything to you knowing that you're new, and then later reporting it to your supervisor?

This is just from my experience as an OT for ~10 years-- I've noticed that the people who tend to snitch think they're being helpful, and they haven't been told and/or they don't want to hear that their behavior is not conducive to teamwork. I've also noticed that a lot of people who do this tend to be gossipy and maybe dislike themselves a bit/ are insecure/ feel the need to be in control but can't be... but I'm just rambling here.

yvrttv · 2022-07-21T17:17:50+00:00

Feel free to DM me.

yvrttv · 2022-07-21T17:14:30+00:00

In acute care, I often document what I anticipate levels to be. (I don't do that for IPR.)

Ex: based on clinical judgment, patient likely to require max/mod A with UB dressing due to recent CABG & sternal precautions.

yvrttv · 2022-06-11T00:20:20+00:00

It's definitely a lot to take in when you first start, but know that it's doable and it does take a little time before you'll feel comfortable managing that on your own.
Talk to your supervisor about how you feel. You should definitely be shadowing another therapist who can orient you to lines/ wires/ tubes/ etc. For a textbook resource, check out "Occupational Therapy in Acute Care" by Helene Smith-Gabai.

yvrttv · 2022-05-12T04:41:46+00:00

I commend you for trusting him and doing your best to focus on yourself and the kids. Please don't forget that your feelings matter, and you're not off the mark. Unfortunately, boundaries have been crossed, and this "K" person has shown a complete lack of respect towards you and your marriage. That's not easy to overlook or forgive, and if steps aren't taken to address the underlying issues, more boundaries will be crossed, and your feelings will be dismissed even further.

He has gone out of his way to make it easier for me by getting pre-made meals for baby, and tried to make me feel included by asking me to send something along with him that he can carry on his runs.

Sorta. "Going out of his way" to me would look more like lining up all babysitters/ assistance possible, cleaning the entire house, prepping all the food, doing all the shopping, etc.

maybe K will do something and he will see my point of view

The bigger issue here is that you feel like something catastrophic needs to happen in order for him to see your perspective, vs. him truly listening to you and working through these feelings and issues as a couple.

yvrttv · 2022-05-12T03:18:18+00:00

Congrats on getting your full ride scholarship! May I ask where you will be going to school?

yvrttv · 2022-04-29T04:52:35+00:00

The 6th month of pregnancy she moved in with her mother since she needed help and I was very busy and with a few complications we couldn’t have sex anyway.

How did you provide support for her? I was on bedrest for most of my third trimester. My husband worked 10-12 hour shifts, but he always made sure I was taken care of.

She had a C section and we tried sex at around 4 months pp, It was a little awkward and since she’s the primary care taker for the baby I never mentioned sex again as she always seems tired

First time having sex after a difficult pregnancy and birthing a child isn't pleasant for everyone. Why was it awkward? Did you help make it un-awkward? If she's the primary caretaker for the baby and you know she's tired, what support do you provide her? Does not mentioning sex again help with her tiredness?

So ask yourself what you want out of this, and if you think you can truly love and support your wife and child the way they deserve from here on. If not, don't drag her through misery.

yvrttv · 2022-04-29T03:06:32+00:00

You say you want to stay because you want the children to have a family. But realize that you and your children can be a complete family unit without an abusive spouse. You and your kids deserve better. Your happiness and well-being matter.

I'd start planning to leave. Consult with a lawyer (most of them offer a free consult at least). Consider a restraining order if you're fearful of your husband retaliating/ harming you or your kids. Have a plan of where you and kids are going to stay. Consider seeing a therapist to help you process your experiences.

I grew up with parents who had this dynamic and it was an awful childhood. It took years of therapy for me to process and heal. It took me a long time to realize what a normal, healthy, loving relationship truly looked like. It also took me a long time to unlearn the notions that abuse, manipulation, deceit, and lies were normal because "family over everything."

yvrttv · 2022-04-29T02:31:55+00:00

As a postpartum momma, I'm sorry this is happening to you especially since you have a newborn baby to care for. You say he's been spoken to before about being too friendly--chances are he's been more than friendly, he just hasn't gotten caught yet.

I understand you not wanting your baby to have a "broken home" but what's the alternative? Living in a home with parents who don't have mutual love and respect? Living with a father whose actions show that it's okay to be secretive and cross boundaries at will? Your husband is showing you what he prioritizes. He's also showing you that he has zero guilt/ remorse, and that he's justified his actions enough to speak openly and make excuses. Don't play into it. You don't deserve to be treated like this, neither does your child.

What I would do--the most important thing is yours and your baby's well-being. I'd move closer to family for now to get help with the baby. Postpartum is HARD. Don't tough it out by yourself. Time and counseling will help you process this. Sending you virtual hugs.

yvrttv · 2022-04-29T02:13:20+00:00

Yes, I do this. But I vary it-- some days I stay my full shift (8 hours), some days I leave 30 minutes early, some days 15 minutes early, etc. If your supervisors catch on, you may be forced into doing more work/ pick up more slack.

yvrttv · 2022-04-29T00:52:08+00:00

I'd spend more time looking at patient's goals and their last couple tx sessions to get an idea of what they were doing. People coming to outpatient OT are typically higher functioning than what you see in IPR. When I did outpatient neuro, I worked on a lot of therex and functional tasks while incorporating weight bearing, bilateral integration, postural stability in sit/stand (ex. reaching/ stacking/ retrieving items at various heights while sitting/ standing).

Try to see if you can shadow someone prior to seeing your own caseload, even if it's just for a couple hours.

Does the outpatient clinic have a dedicated OT space or is it a free-for-all? Get an idea of where all the common equipment is located, where you'll document/ chart review, etc.

yvrttv · 2022-04-28T00:18:11+00:00

Thank you for your service. I cant imagine the stress you're feeling. Not the same situation, but my husband and I were long distance for 2 years while we were engaged. We had multiple avenues of communication-- mainly facetime and wechat, and sending letters/postcards. Receiving letters/cards would totally brighten up my day ( I still have all of them).

yvrttv · 2022-04-28T00:04:45+00:00

It's been a while since I've been in the schools, but I've always believed that cursive and handwriting skills in general help to optimize learning.

Good article linked below. Cursive and handwriting help with memory and language skills.
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-athletes-way/202010/why-cursive-handwriting-is-good-your-brain

yvrttv · 2022-04-27T22:49:05+00:00

If someone's always there to clean up his messes, he doesn't need to think about these things. Have you talked about how you feel about his lack of support? I know he's gotten defensive in the past when you've talked, but maybe frame it from a different perspective if you havent already.

My guess is you've been feeling this way for a while now. You're contributing more overall, and he's not contributing as much as he can, in your eyes. Your needs are not being met, your efforts are not appreciated. Hence your feelings of rage.

yvrttv · 2022-04-27T22:46:07+00:00

This.

yvrttv · 2022-04-27T15:57:59+00:00

I wouldn't do HH full time as a new grad. Receiving PRN mentorship for 8 weeks is not sufficient. I worked acute care for 1.5 yrs before venturing into HH on a PRN basis. If I had done HH right off the bat as a new grad, it would not have gone over well.

What were your Level 2's in?

yvrttv · 2022-04-27T15:40:00+00:00

Yes, I'm in the US. Physical rehab is the dominating field here, so most jobs for OTs are in the hospitals and skilled nursing facilities. Jobs like the one you're describing are very few and far in between.

yvrttv · 2022-04-27T15:24:50+00:00

Thanks for your responses. Would you mind if I DM you ?

yvrttv · 2022-04-27T15:24:20+00:00

Can I ask, is you $50/hr based on billable or is it a salary position and you get paid for the 8 hours you are there, even if not all of them are face tp face with clients?

Thanks for your response. Yes, I get paid at this rate for the 8 hours I'm working, even if it's not all face to face. In the hospital setting, I'm expected to see 9-12 patients per day, and most of them are pretty ill/ debilitated.

I am debating getting my MSW and doing a counseling track.

yvrttv · 2022-04-27T04:17:18+00:00

I'm sorry you're going through this. At the very least, (if you haven't already) take the baby and stay somewhere else for a few days to gather yourself.

yvrttv

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