Becky and everyone who wants a laugh I HAVE to tell you my clinical nightmare...
I was queen of bad placements! I had a fabulous mental health placement, then a scary pediatric placement. There was another student just finishing her clinical who literally pulled me into a closet and said, "Get out while you can!" She had been at the clinical for 75% of the time before she was allowed to touch a patient. She spent all of that time doing the paperwork for the supervisor. On a Friday afternoon, the supervisor informed her that she would be on vacation the next week and the student was to treat all the children alone. This was the first time she was allowed to touch a patient! I didn't know her and though she was exaggerating but oh NO...the first week I did all of the paperwork and on Friday of my FIRST WEEK I was told the next week was a vacation for the supervisor and that I could treat all of the kids. I called my school and they pulled me out of the fieldwork after investigating. So, they took a few weeks lining up another fieldwork. I showed up the first day and the fieldwork supervisor (the only OT in this setting) apologized and explained that she had just given her month notice and would be starting a new job so I had to cancel that one too. Now, I've wasted a number of weeks and still no fieldwork experience. So, they set up another pediatric setting for me. It was great but I was so flustered that at the 1/2 way point they sat me down and explained that I was probably going to have to extend my time because I just wasn't catching on...I did have to put in an extra week but it turned out great for me in the end. That is the point that I started being a little cynical about everyone who claims to be an OT...I'm a pretty tough judge now. I want to know that you are serious and dedicated...not just doing this for a decent paycheck. Jenny -- Options? www.otnow.com/mailman/options/otlist_otnow.com Archive? www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] ************************************************************************************** Enroll in Boston University's post-professional Master of Science for OTs Online. Gain the skills and credentials to propel your career. www.otdegree.com/otn **************************************************************************************
