Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant

Sandra in Woodstock, Illinois said: Actually, the reason I am not sure this field is not for me, is not because of the patients, but because of people like you. Nobody should have to put up with this kind of behavior from a patient, staff, or family member. I read an article a while back where a nurse was trying to help a patient, when another patient who had a violent history of abuse, came up and punched her in the face. She is no longer able to work and is now fighting the system to get her disability. You can believe I am whoever you think I am, However, as for me I don't care. Why don't you take your own advice and move on if you don't like what other people have to say here. You sound like you have too much time on your hands.

Sandra, did you come on and comment about MY comments or did I come on and comment about YOUR comments? I don't understand this, it is a open forum, why is that people feel if they state an opinion which is different from theirs then they are crazy, causing trouble and don't belong on the form. I never said once that it should be tolerated but if you are in the health care field at some point, some type of ABUSE will happen to you or in your presence. One thing you should have learned in school or will learn in school is that there is several different types of abuse. The second thing you should learn is how to deal with it in the appropriate manner. I have been in the field starting as a CNA since 1978 and currently a LPN. Your right I do have a lot of time on my hands because I am in the position to work when I choose to work. I want to ask you something Saundra, what do you expect to do, what should happen if you are working in a long term care center with a 60 year old patient who has Alzheimer's disease, Aphasia and an Anxiety disorder and you approach them to assist getting sitting on the side of the bed for breakfast, the Pt throws his milk on you then when you reach over to pick it, slap you across your.

Mary 1Nurse in Louisville, Kentucky said: Sandra, did you come on and comment about MY comments or did I come on and comment about YOUR comments? I don't understand this, it is a open forum, why is that people feel if they state an opinion which is different from theirs then they are crazy, causing trouble and don't belong on the form. I never said once that it should be tolerated but if you are in the health care field at some point, some type of ABUSE will happen to you or in your presence. One thing you should have learned in school or will learn in school is that there is several different types of abuse. The second thing you should learn is how to deal with it in the appropriate manner. I have been in the field starting as a CNA since 1978 and currently a LPN. Your right I do have a lot of time on my hands because I am in the position to work when I choose to work. I want to ask you something Saundra, what do you expect to do, what should happen if you are working in a long term care center with a 60 year old patient who has Alzheimer's disease, Aphasia and an Anxiety disorder and you approach them to assist getting sitting on the side of the bed for breakfast, the Pt throws his milk on you then when you reach over to pick it, slap you across your.

I don't want to argue with you but I seriously want to know what would you do, what do you think you have a right to do. How do you think the situation should be dealt with.

LinCOTA in Wyoming said: Unfortunately, these kinds of things do, and will happen. I work with adults that have brain injuries. Some are explosive, giving no warning. However, when I worked in peds, it never happened. No child so much as looked at me cross eyed. There are so many different areas/populations that OT serve, there is no reason to put yourself in a position that makes you uncomfortable. If "abuse" from patients worries you, choose a setting where that would be less unlikely to happen. FYI: its not just OT that has "abusive" clients. Nursing, PT, Speech, counseling, doctors, CNAs, postal workers, convienence store clerks, cab drivers, law enforcment, military, etc...any where one could work, there is potential for volatile people. Heck, people are shooting at their former employers. Life is a risk.

I agree, I am not even in OT but I work side by side with them daily, as a nurse I make a point to speak with OT several times a day, I want to know how my patients are progressing and if OT has any concerns me as the Nurse can address. I mentioned before, I would not expect much physical abuse in an acute hospital setting but the verbal abuse from patients and families is not uncommon. I've seen nurses in tears due to they way they have been spoken to and threaten. Heck I seen a Doctor just last week throw two charts at a Nurse and cuss her out for not calling about a lab (a normal lab at that) and demanded that I take over his two patients. It's going to happen, doesn't mean we tolerate it but we don't push on our patients, walk off the job or neglect that patient. Good point, you can be employed in various occupations and get abused. But it is more about how you respond.

This week, I for one, am thankful that I have a job. A job in OT, that I love. And no matter what the negative nellies may say, my OT life is great! I feel sorry for the NN (negative nellies) but perhaps this is a week that they can reflect and be thankful they are out of the "OT pit" and move on. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving everyone. Safe travels.
Lin

I second that LinCota...and I pray that everyone will have a Blessed Thanksgiving. I know I will be thankful my husband has a job and I have the opportunity to go back to school for something I know I will enjoy. Thank you Dear Lord!
Blessings all,
Mamie

anonymous in Fort Morgan, Colorado said: Then why are you even here if you are not an OT. Why don't you go to a nursing forum and tell all those wannabie nurses how wonderful it is to be groped and beat on. The OT/PT field has a high turnover rate, the statistics speak for themselves. Why are there so may healthcare jobs out there, one reason, it's a low pay, no repect job with horrible benefits. Hell, even a Wal-Mart worker gets treated better then we do. Ooooh, by the way, the Alzheimers patient I mentioned in my last post is being kicked out of the facility because he punch a 93 year old lady and broke her jaw this weekend. The family is threatening to sue. Maybe we will let him come live with you, I am sure you two will get along just great.

First, as a health care worker you should know the HIPPA law, don't slip up and say to much or your may end up being sued. Second,I am a nurse and I look at forums about OT, RT, CNA,MA,and education. I am interested in others work in the field because we are all a TEAM. The better I understand what OT is about the better I can perform my job and help OT thus help my patients. I have been trained and worked under several other certifications and license yet not OT. OT/PT work very hard in the field as we all do. I Love my work as a nurse and I love my job, I have a great relationship with my employers and quickly develop a relationship with my patients thus earning their respect. You have nothing but ill thoughts and anger. Everything about you is negative, why are you soooo hurt. What happened? I am still waiting to hear what field you are in now because I truly don't believe you are in OT. Yes, I'll take that patient and care for him any day, remember he is human, he can sense when someone is sincere, I bet I could bond with him in a heartbeat. WERE YOU THE ONE FIRED FOR HITTING HIM? ARE YOU LICENSED? GOD IS GOOD all the time and ALL THE TIME God is good, pray for PEACE!

Today and this THANKSGIVING holiday I will give thanks that I have a good sound mind, love, compassion, trust and patience. I will accept my many blessings and be grateful. As I travel to spend time with my family I will take God with me in my heart and know that his protective armor is around me. I will refresh my mind and body and fuel my soul. I will return to my work next week eager to be a blessing to all those I am assigned to care for. I will do my best to make a difference in their lives. I will pray for them and I will pray for you. HAPPY HOLIDAY

Sounds like you have a lot of problems Mame. To get on here and think your job is to police indeed.com and call people names is nothing more than childish. No I am not Jillian, Surfer Girl, Sandra, Sally Mae, Big Roy, or anonymous, I am Maria. But that's OK, you can believe I am whoever you want me to be as nobody will be able to convince you otherwise. I am also not a COTA or OTR, I am just one of those people looking to make a career change, however, after reading some of your posts, I am not sure I want to pursue a career in OT.

Maria, don't let people like Mame keep you from getting into OT if thats what you really want. My best advice is to volunteer somewhere and see if OT is a good fit for you. I did some volunteering and found OT is not for me, but that does not mean someone else will love it. A lot of the therapists I have talked to say high productivity requirements, medicare fraud, and rud people are just a few of the many things that makes this field have a high turnover. After seeing the stress a lot of the therapists and assistants go through, I decided to find something else. Like I said though, don't let other people detour you away from a career if this that what you really want.

That sentence should read "someone else will not love it". Silly me :)

Hello, I am back from my vacation. I came online briefly while I was away and I would have sworn I seen a negative comment about OT torturing the elderly because they (residents) were being forced to participate in therapy against their will. I know I seen this comment and It told me all I needed to know. What the heck happened while I was away. I decided I didn't want to waste my energy and cetian folk(s)...you know who you are, but you still haven't gone away and sought out help.

Mame in Lititz, Pennsylvania said: First of all Anonymous...I can't imagine that the last post by Mary1Nurse is actually her because she communicates at a level much higher than you...if you read her other posts people you'll be able to see that. This post is by Anonymous ACTING, as usual like Mary1Nurse. You're losing the battle with this Anonymous...you continue to make a fool of yourself time and again and I WILL be contacting the indeed.com moderator because of your actions. #2 Mary1Nurse KNOWS that the elderly are NOT being FORCED to do anything against their will. Again, people...if you read Anonymous, Jillian, Surfer Girl, Big Roy's 100 or more last posts...you will see the same pattern emerge. Anonymous...quit using other peoples post names...you really aren't to bright are you.

No Mame actually this is Mary 1 nurse.. while I was away at my Mothers, I got online briefly Tuesday eve. I am certain Anonymous posted something about how she wouldn't be in OT because we are just like the terrorist torturing the elderly by forcing them into therapy. If she was in OT this would be including herself. So that let me know she is no longer in the field. I tried to comment but moms computer was messing up. I no longer see that post, what happened to it, did anyone else see it? Tuesday evening. I just decided i wasn't going to waste my energy on this girl, but I see she can't seem to stop her insane behavior. Don't mix me up with her she has some serious issues.

Okay, I know this probably doesn't apply....but since your all in the HC field I was wondering if getting my Health care administration degree is a good idea. I will be a cardiovascular tech. I did take an OT course in college and did great( was considering OTA at time ). However, I just went for an A.S so my credits would be good. Question I have is getting a B.A in HCA is that a good choice, or is it all going to nurses? Secondly, after getting my HCA degree I was considering getting a polysomnography technologist cert. If you have a B.A in public health or of the like theres a 16 week course that lets you take test for that. IDK though.

I think it all comes down to what you want to do. I worked with a PTA years ago who became an Administrator at a LTC facility, so I don't think what you did before matters. There's a lot of jobs for Administartos but there's also a lot of turnover. Just remember, do your research and be happy with what you are doing.

Tisha in La Grange Park, Illinois said: I think it all comes down to what you want to do. I worked with a PTA years ago who became an Administrator at a LTC facility, so I don't think what you did before matters. There's a lot of jobs for Administartos but there's also a lot of turnover. Just remember, do your research and be happy with what you are doing.

Yeah, it seems alot is geared towards nursing I am not sure though. I don't want to be one of those I got my degree now lets go back to school for a masters or another degree. However, with just an A.S degree and some cardio tech don't know what to do. I need something that does nights though. Like 10 p.m-6 a.m. I wouldn't mind working with special needs kids or mental health, but everything I took( college credits ) is geared more towards a B.A.
I shoulda stuck towards O.T.A, but they told me the shift is 6 a.m-2:30 p.m, so I didn't think I could make it through clinicals...personally too, I thought I would take my work home with me. I got 2 As though in OT classes. I also have anxiety disorder bad. Thanks for your response.

Jennifer29 in Ford City, Pennsylvania said: Actually, COTAs with experience do make $18 per hour, but the starting rate for a new grad is $12. A lot of companies now are also allowing COTAs to progress to a management position (program manager, rehab manager, clinical manager)and they tend to make in the mid to high 20s in this position, but again, this comes with experience. It is true however that the need for COTAs seems to be less over the last few years which is why I am back in school myself.

Well people here in mass cota's make about $27.00 an hr with 15 years experience in geri population. I am also a travel the past 2 years in new england and take home $1200.00 a wk after taxes. The only problem is waiting for a job in between appr 3 wks. However you can collect unemplyment app $450.00 a wk till another travel job appears. I love it!!!

maltilda in Arizona said: I wouldn't go by this. As an OT you could rarely take home $1200 after taxes. And the non work between jobs is long, it could be months. Also I tried applying for unemployment and couldn't get it because most travel companies do not pay into it. Believe me I tried.[/QUOT

Don't base your expectant earnings on what some one else earns in your field. We all live in different areas and the pay changes from state to state, city to city. Due to the cost of living, job market, competition etc. in each state, salaries can vary. Tax rates also vary from state to state as well as individual circumstances. I personally don't expect large tax checks at the end of the year (usually spent before I get it) instead I take home more daily/weekly thus using my money all throughout the year rather than a large amount once yearly. Additional skills earned, experience and the ability to sell yourself to an employer can result in higher pay. Others can only give you a general idea of pay. I do agency work and they are pay into unemployment. True the wait between jobs can be long...this also depends on the worker, some employees are in demand where as others find it difficult to get assignments. I am not an OT as I've stated before but the point is each situation is different in so many ways. Not to mention 18 an hour for a young single female living in Indiana may be great pay compared to 18 hour for a older male with a wife and child living in Cali. Take a moment and think about it.

Just one question.....why are people on here talking about wiping behinds???? I thought we were supposed to be helping people learn how to do that independently. Doesn't this mean that we shouldn't be doing ADL's for them, rathing helping them to learn (teaching)? Just a thought. Its obvious that not everyone thinks the way I do, but I thought that was one of the definitions of OT, to increase independence after illness or injury (as well as many other things).
L

OH, Lord please don't get her started again. LOL

I still want to know...what the heck happened to last Tuesday and Weds post? I have them in my E_MAIL but not when I look at the forum. The Guides deleted several post I take it.

Jobs in SC start at $22-25, Texas start in the the 30's. You people have way too much time on your hands. Most of your opinions on this page are incorrect and false. Everyone in my class of 30 has a full time job. This page is one big cancer.

gravedigger in Fort Mill, South Carolina said: Jobs in SC start at $22-25, Texas start in the the 30's. You people have way too much time on your hands. Most of your opinions on this page are incorrect and false. Everyone in my class of 30 has a full time job. This page is one big cancer.

I totally agree I usually just avoid this post anymore! but I wanted to come on here to tell you your right on!!

I'm with you Mary1Nurse...if you get her started...she won't shut up...
gravedigger, I have a friend in South Carolina and she tells me the same thing. I hope you all have a wonderful holiday. I am on my way to spend it with family. God Bless!

Maltida, not everyone with cancer dies. Are you making any valid points? How about an intelligent and positive comment? I have noticed your posts are very confrontational. Are you that miserable? May u find some happiness during this holiday season. God Bless.

If you really want a career with job security don't become a COTA. There are fewer jobs out there than in years past. The people on here who say there are a lot of jobs are either recruiters passing themselves off as therapists/assistants or therapists who are living a fairy-tale dream. And yes, wiping butts is part of the job and anyone who says its not has either never worked in this field or is a recruiter trying to get people into this field to save their jobs. Ooooooh, by the way, stay away from Travel Med USA, their a horrible company to work for.

There will always be people like Mame, stephanie, mary 1nurse or whoever she is, who believe they are the gate-keeper of these forums and feels their opinion is the only one that matters. That's why I decided to find something else to do. Yes, I have heard that about Travel Med USA from a therapist I was following around on one of my volunteer jobs. She use to be a traveler but said that traveling has gotten so bad that traveling is not worth the money anymore.

Wow. It is so nice to see people being nice to each other, being respectful, and caring. Sometimes I wonder why I bother to visit this forum.

thank you, I mean every word I wrote!!!

gravedigger in Fort Mill, South Carolina said: Jobs in SC start at $22-25, Texas start in the the 30's. You people have way too much time on your hands. Most of your opinions on this page are incorrect and false. Everyone in my class of 30 has a full time job. This page is one big cancer.

Only one comment...opinions are just that...opinions, there is no right or wrong.

Tisha in La Grange Park, Illinois said: Maria, don't let people like Mame keep you from getting into OT if thats what you really want. My best advice is to volunteer somewhere and see if OT is a good fit for you. I did some volunteering and found OT is not for me, but that does not mean someone else will love it. A lot of the therapists I have talked to say high productivity requirements, medicare fraud, and rud people are just a few of the many things that makes this field have a high turnover. After seeing the stress a lot of the therapists and assistants go through, I decided to find something else. Like I said though, don't let other people detour you away from a career if this that what you really want.

I agree... Do what will make you happy and what interests you not others.

Hey, Brian... I use to work for Travel Med USA, and I agree, what a horrible company. Most of their contracts are with facilities that are in small little hick towns out in the middle of nowhere that have a lot of internal problems. If they find you housing it is usually whatever they can find you. Can you say the slums. On my last assignment I got very little in the way of housewares and had to go pay for them out of my own pocket. The landloard was a psych case. I had a problem with one of the therapists coming up behind me and pushing me in the back of the head when I was not looking. He thought it was funny, I did not. So I called Travel Med to complain and they just told me to smile and basically deal with it because they could not afford to loose the contract. Anyone looking for a good travel company, stay away from the smaller companies like this one and go with a company like Comp Heath. Your experiences will be much better.

Oooooh, and stay away from Salus Solutions, and Aureus Medical... AKA Beverly Interprise. Very bad companies.

I could not argree with you more cotatraveler. It seems these companies are getting worse by the day. All they care about is putting money into their pockets and could care less about the therapists/assistants that make them money. I worked for a company called Supplemental healthcare and the travel assignments they found me were horrible. All the facilities I went to had arrogant, bossy, and unprofessional staff. If I complained, they just told me "well, you only have thirteen weeks to go so do the best you can, we can't afford to loose this contract". I am no longer a traveler and work in a hospital setting which I am very happy with. The money you make as a traveler just is not worth it unless you like being abused and mistreated.

I agree Dottie, sometimes you wonder if all the money you make as a traveler is worth it. There were some things on my housing stipends that I questioned Travel Med USA about. They took a certain amout out of my paycheck for rent, houswares etc, but when I added it up, the amount they took out of my paycheck was a lot more then what my actual housing cost was. When I called them on it, they became very defensive and gave me all these figures that never made sense. When taking a travel job, really look over your contract with a fine tooth comb and don't be rushed into signing it until you have had a good chance to look it over. This is something recruiters are very good at doing. Like I said in my last posts, stay away from the smaller companies and go with a well known company like Comp Health.

So how does one tell a good company from a bad one? how much should I be asking for in pay, stipends? I've only been a COTA for about 17 months and would like to pay off my tuition by becoming a traveler. I've heard so many horror stories that I am wondering if becoming a COTA was the right decision. One of the girls who I started my OTA program with left and transfered to the Nursing program and is now making a lot more money as a perm nurse than I could as a travling COTA. I am only making $18.00 an hour and no one will pay me a single penny more. A new grad nurse with an AAS degree starts out around $24.00 an hour where I live. What's wrong with that. I'm totally depressed.

Lorraine in Scottsdale, Arizona said: So how does one tell a good company from a bad one? how much should I be asking for in pay, stipends? I've only been a COTA for about 17 months and would like to pay off my tuition by becoming a traveler. I've heard so many horror stories that I am wondering if becoming a COTA was the right decision. One of the girls who I started my OTA program with left and transfered to the Nursing program and is now making a lot more money as a perm nurse than I could as a travling COTA. I am only making $18.00 an hour and no one will pay me a single penny more. A new grad nurse with an AAS degree starts out around $24.00 an hour where I live. What's wrong with that. I'm totally depressed.

Your salary is about normal for a COTA. How much did you expect with an associates degree. The normal is 35- 40k a year. $18 an hour is right in that range. Home heathcare you might make more. Actually for a nurse to make $24 an hour, seems like start pay and on the lower side. You should really check out your labor dem. graphics. Most nurses make above 50k a year. In fact, I know of a nurse who made 92k in one year( overtime ). Yes, nursing degree is an A.S.S. That's for an R.N.
Sometimes as ppl are in the r.n program, they work as nurses aides( which isn't a whole lot ). There is also a B.S.N, which is a bachelors science in nursing. The pay between the two are not really much, maybe a couple more bucks an hour if that. However, universities are really pushing the B.S.N b/c it's becoming a little standard, or atleast their trying to.....but really it just sets you up for a management position later on. Some nurses get burnt out after 10 years or so. Check out Health care administration postions, some just require a B.S.N. Although a nursing degree with some backround in management is standard for nurses looking to cross into HCA. The fact you have your ota degree is not bad. You can expand on that. I went for ota then backed out.

Lorraine in Scottsdale, Arizona said: So how does one tell a good company from a bad one? how much should I be asking for in pay, stipends? I've only been a COTA for about 17 months and would like to pay off my tuition by becoming a traveler. I've heard so many horror stories that I am wondering if becoming a COTA was the right decision. One of the girls who I started my OTA program with left and transfered to the Nursing program and is now making a lot more money as a perm nurse than I could as a travling COTA. I am only making $18.00 an hour and no one will pay me a single penny more. A new grad nurse with an AAS degree starts out around $24.00 an hour where I live. What's wrong with that. I'm totally depressed.

Are you stupid? You should never except anything less than $30 per hour for perm or travel. Those who do are stupid and are killing our profession. My wife is an RN with an A.S.S. and makes $65 per hour as a Traveler but works her ass off. I make $42 per hour as a traveler and don't work very hard for it.

Jillian are you still out there I have a question? I am in a facility and it is horrible!

I'm in Ohio but I might be able to help. what's the problem? are you on Level I or II?

Liza in Dayton, Ohio said: I'm in Ohio but I might be able to help. what's the problem? are you on Level I or II?

I'm on level II. As much as I disagreed with Jillian's ranting, there are a few things she was right about. I am in a SNF, and the facility itself is beautiful. But the staff is horrible! Rehab is ok, but my 2nd week of fieldwork they gave me 6 patients to treat. Now I know I could do it, but they did not give me anytime to research proper tx's. And they're not even observing me to see if I am treating properly. I should be excited but I am not. Every morning I hate going! I'm really hoping it's just this location :-(

ot student in florida in Altamonte Springs, Florida said: I'm on level II. As much as I disagreed with Jillian's ranting, there are a few things she was right about. I am in a SNF, and the facility itself is beautiful. But the staff is horrible! Rehab is ok, but my 2nd week of fieldwork they gave me 6 patients to treat. Now I know I could do it, but they did not give me anytime to research proper tx's. And they're not even observing me to see if I am treating properly. I should be excited but I am not. Every morning I hate going! I'm really hoping it's just this location :-(

If you think six patients is bad now wait. When you do become a COTA, expect at least 12 or more patients everyday and expect to treat 60 minutes or more per patient. Most of the time, I have to come in early on my own time to review the charts and see what my patients diagnosis is. Probably the therapists you are working with are there only for the money and don't care about anything else. I have been a COTA for 30 years and I am seeing this more everyday and I don't think it's going to get better anytime soon. I have just started a new job out of OT and so far I am glads I made the change. However, may I say good luck...

ot student in florida in Altamonte Springs, Florida said: Jillian are you still out there I have a question? I am in a facility and it is horrible!

Jillan isn't here any longer NOT because she spoke against OT but because 1.) The chick couldn't follow directions...this forum's original question was and I quote, "What are the postives about being in OT?" I don't think that is too difficult to get through ones skull but I suppose there are those who have limited brain capacity due to environmental and genetic factors...can't blame them I suppose, it is what it is. 2.) Because she was an inconsiderate, foul-mouthed, unladylike, hateful, mean spirited person who liked nothing more than to argue to the point of exhaustion. Consequently, I was the one who had her banned from this place for staying on top of her ridiculous and outlandish comments toward those who had anything to say about OT. We realize people have their opinions and differences; however, there isn't a good reason to spit in the face of those who disagree with you. In other words, she could have said her peace and then left it alone instead of continuing her meanspirited and vicious rant. In the end, good triumps over evil...here or in the after life. Obviously, good trumped her evil words here. That's all. Hope you folks have fun here and I will check in with all of you in a month or two!
Ta Ta!
If there are any of you who have anything hateful and mean spirited, I would suggest for you a journal to quench the fires of your distateful responses. I will not be able to see your hateful remarks until I check my email...so you'll just be wasting your time. God Bless!

My second Level II was awful. No matter what I did, it wasn’t right. I knew in my heart of hearts that it was pre-planned that I should fail. I heard later from previous graduates that they were told by their Level II mentors that they had been asked to fail them. I believe it! Anyway, I failed (I was informed of this 3 DAYS before the end of the internship) and completed my second Level II with flying colors! I could go on and on but anyway...

Looking back, I wish that I had listened to my fellow students and gone to the Department Chair and asked to be reassigned. But no…. I didn’t want to acknowledge what I believed deep down to be true. Listen to your gut! If you have a hunch something’s not right, get reassigned if you can. Time is a’wasting.

6 patients isn’t too bad if the minutes are reasonable. How long do you have them for? Is it an hour each per day? If so, that’s a bit much. I meet with my OT about the diagnosis of a patient after her eval is done. Sometimes I will read the MR but I have a pretty good OT who is accurate with her info. 90% of my pts are seen for hip/knee replacements and stroke, co-morbid factors notwithstanding.

Last but not least, your mentor gets a CEU or two for having you at their facility. You are also free labor and there you have it. As for watching you, they (your mentor and others) may be and you don’t even realize it. At the Level II I flunked, people were right THERE all the time. I wanted to scream: “give me some breathing room!” I had breathing room at the other Level I and II internships: I knew they were watching but I didn’t feel like they were so close they could smell my deodorant. :-)

FGT in Simpsonville, South Carolina said: After you start working for about 6 months you'll realize how stupid the profession is and you'll be back in school for PT, NSG or Speech. Or maybe something all together different.

True words my friend. So very true.

Here I am done with school and working and now looking into other avenues - a desk job, nursing? anywhere as I have never been this unhappy and stressed out.

Thank You all for responding. I am noticing the good and bad of this field. The worst is the Nursing staff! (CNA's LPN's) They are just rude, and do not care. I want to be happy with my job, even on bad days. By the way has anyone heard of the company "Rehab Care"?

FGT in Simpsonville, South Carolina said: Glenn,
FGT is not Jillian, I can guarantee you that. Believe it or not, there is more than one person that thinks OT is ridiculous.

May I add...The problem with Jillian and all her other identities was not that she didn't like O.T. Her problem was, she couldn't simply state her current position and why she was unhappy with OT. Each time she spoke, she was dramatic, making up one story after another and changing the story time and time again. She was very disrespectful and used every opportunity she could to attack others and the profession. Of course there are many who don't like O.T and that's ok. All have had bad experiences and want to just hide under the covers when it's time to report to work. But do you need to mislead other by lying, attacking and creating new identities to express your hate for your work. This is not the only forum she was using to do exactly the same thing no matter what the subject was...she is just evil and wants others to feel as miserable as she is. We all have opinions feel free to express yours, just understand that not every one will agree.

For OTS, COTAS, or students who have left the field - for whatever reasons, what did you get into after OT life?

I am having a hard time explaining to future employers why I would devote so much time, energy (school) and effort into OT and now want to leave the field (only out of school 2 years). Its seems hard to transition out once your in.

Just was wondering if there is anyone who had finding success leaving OT for another path? If so, what was your path?

Try the orthotics and prosthetics field. If you were interested in OT and found out that it wasnt what it was, You may like orthotics or prosthetics better. Do more research, call a children's hopital and speak to the orhotics and prosthetics department and ask to speak to the manager... Tell the manager that you are interested in the field and that you are looking into schools and it is required to shadow for a day as part of application. You can also call a hanger prosthetics and orthotics inc. I would go for the children's hospital first its very fun.

I was an OT major for a year and withdrew from the program because I couldnt take the stress of the program. I was still planning on doing OT for the program but after reading these forums I changed my mind and realized that It may not be for me. I then looked into ultrasound and shadowed, but I didnt like it. I always said I wanted a hands on type of job and something related but better than OT. After doing research, orthotics and prosthetics caught my eye. After I shadowed I knew that this is definitely for me. I am looking into the northwestern university masters certificate program. If you have a bachelors degree with the prereqs, you can do this program in 6 months. You do 4 months of courses online and the last 2 months on campus in chicago for the hands on portion. After that you do a one year paid residency. Good Luck!! Let me know if you need any help deciding what to do if orthotics and prosthetics is not for you. I think there is a school in texas also. check out www.ncope.org/info_students/schools.asp, www.ncope.org, www.opcareers.org,
www.nupoc.northwestern.edu,
I have more websites if you need them, just let me know. :-)

wow. that's really great tica. thanks so much for sharing your experience it is really helpful and positive to know. will look into the info. glad you found your path that you believe in.

thanks for answering :) *seeing a sign of hope*

Sophie P in Dallas, Texas said: wow. that's really great tica. thanks so much for sharing your experience it is really helpful and positive to know. will look into the info. glad you found your path that you believe in.

thanks for answering :) *seeing a sign of hope*

No problem... anytime. Glad I was able to help. Hope you find what you are looking for. Let me know when you've come up with something... Take care