In this episode, I meet Megan who is a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) and is currently pursuing her Master's degree in Occupational Therapy.

Additionally, Megan shares her stories and experiences from OTA school, clinical & work experiences, and the ultimate decision to become an occupational therapist. We also learn more about the many fun and creative interventions she uses in an array of settings.

Timestamps:

(5:04) - what was OTA school like? | favorite & least favorite classes

(7:00) — fieldwork | clinical rotations during COVID

(15:05) — navigating transitions | school-based to hospital setting

(20:48) - similarities and differences between OTA vs. OT program experience

(28:25) - what would you tell a student looking to pursue an OTA/OT program?

(29:56) - relationship dynamic between COTA & OT | experiences in outpatient neuro and acute care

(33:56) — managing & handling caseloads

(37:52) - Megan's favorite interventions

(41:28) — story behind OTA/OT insta account

(42:57) — 1-on-1 mentoring sessions

follow on insta :)

https://www.instagram.com/missmegan.ot/

https://www.instagram.com/once_upon_ot/

In this episode, I briefly talk about my home health experience as an occupational therapist working per diem in NYC.

It's been quite the journey this past year...super excited for what's to come in 2025 in terms of occupational therapy.

Where are you in the OT journey? What's your story?

IG: https://www.instagram.com/once_upon_ot/

In this final episode of 2024, I compile the advice from interviews this past year — provided by occupational therapy practitioners and occupational therapy students. 

If you are currently an OT student starting one of your fieldwork 2 placements soon or are currently in the midst of your clinical rotations … this episode is absolutely for you!

Timestamps:

(0:52) Autumn Santos

(3:33) Sara Emira

(4:34) Sami Wong 

(6:47) Jhennylyn Rivera

(8:23) Lauren Grammatica 

(9:36) Tarryn Diaz

(10:26) Curtis Handy

(11:52) Kimberly Ben

(13:37) Sol Hartwell

(15:03) Samantha Munoz 

(17:02) Michael Kim

(19:18) Bianca Salamat

(20:00) Teresa Cao

(22:22) Katelyn Asmus

follow along on insta for more episode updates in 2025 :)

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https://www.instagram.com/once_upon_ot/

https://www.instagram.com/once_upon_ot/

In this fun & honest conversation, Bianca shares her experiences with transitioning into pivotal parts of her OT journey — graduate school during COVID, fieldwork 2 clinical placements and her first job as a new grad occupational therapist.

Timestamps:

(2:12) Starting OT School during COVID

(6:29) transitioning from undergrad to graduate school | favorite and not so favorite classes in occupational therapy school 

(11:00) challenges with hand therapy setting during fieldwork 2

(17:00) fieldwork 2 in school-based OT

(20:48) What might you tell someone having a difficult time during OT school/fieldwork 2 placements?

(21:44) how did you study & prepare for the NBCOT exam?

(27:00) transitioning to first new grad job as an OT

(29:30) tell us more about new grad mentorship 

(31:56) first 3 months as an actual occupational therapist in school-based setting

(37:46) stories during OT sessions | memorable moments :)

(44:05) future aspirations | long-term goals as an occupational therapy practitioner

(53:47) BONUS LIGHTNING ROUND

https://www.instagram.com/once_upon_ot/

https://www.instagram.com/once_upon_ot/

https://www.instagram.com/once_upon_ot/

In this episode, Tarryn and I talk about our current shared experience working as per diem home health OTs . We also discuss various topics such as the transition from full-time to PRN work, addressing burnout, and the importance of nurturing our mental health as occupational therapists.

Timestamps:

(11:06) OT clinicals/Fieldwork 2 placements 

(15:55) Difficult moments & growth during fieldwork 2 experiences

(18:00) What would you tell an OT student and/or New Grad OT?

(19:00) transitioning into the job market as an OT | finding your 1st OT job as a new grad

(26:18) - why PRN?

(33:40) - why Home Health OT?

(38:18) - managing your schedule with 2 PRN jobs?

(43:10) - any long-term goals as an OT? | wellness & preventative care

(49:05) Starting a Youtube Channel?

(50:56) BONUS LIGHTNING ROUND

follow the show on IG :)

https://www.instagram.com/once_upon_ot/

https://www.instagram.com/once_upon_ot/

https://www.instagram.com/once_upon_ot/

In this episode, I catch up with a friend I met at OT conference - Sol Hartwell OTR/L !

We talk about our perspectives with home health OT as a new grad, Sol's early interest in aquatic therapy, and the unique structure of her weekend OT program.

Enjoyed the episode? please rate the show :)

Timestamps:

(4:54) - unique weekend OT program | balancing full-time work & school

(11:03) - favorite/least favorite classes

(22:28) -Transitioning to first job as an OT

(26:50) — What you wish OT school prepared you for

(28:58) — diving deep into home health occupational therapy

(42:50) — But let’s be real… what are some challenging/difficult moments as a home heath OT

(53:52) - what keeps you motivated as an occupational therapist?

BONUS LIGHTNING ROUND (54:44)

Follow along the occupational therapy journey on insta~

⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/once_upon_ot/⁠⁠

⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/once_upon_ot/⁠⁠

In this conversation, we discuss life as a school-based OT, the importance of mental health, and what drives Sam to continue doing her work as an occupational therapist!

Follow Once Upon OT on insta :)

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https://www.instagram.com/once_upon_ot/

https://www.instagram.com/once_upon_ot/

In this solo episode, I talk about where I am at during this stage of my OT journey. I feel that significant growth has happened since graduating occupational therapy school, passing the NBCOT, and now in my first year as an actual occupational therapist.

Following along on insta :)

https://www.instagram.com/once_upon_ot/

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https://www.instagram.com/once_upon_ot/

In this episode, I chat with Autumn Santos OTD, OTR/L to talk about her occupational therapy journey from graduate school, to fieldwork 2 rotations, and current job prospects.

A major topic we cover in this conversation is the NBCOT exam! If you are an OT student looking to modify your study plan, looking for different approaches, or wondering what study resources are even out there... this episode is especially for you!

Timestamps:

(0:58) Autumn’s Occupational Therapy Story

(03:40) Why did you choose OT instead of PT?

(05:42) Experience in Occupational Therapy School

(08:40) Why did you choose your particular OT program?

(11:02) Clinical rotations & favorite/least favorite settings?

(16:11) - What OT setting are you leaning towards?

(18:47) For the OT students listening and currently struggling with fieldwork 2s, what would you tell them?

(21:48) - Autumn’s NBCOT exam experience | the highs and the lows | how she responded & approached things differently

(35:05) - Areas of difficulty with the NBCOT

(39:26) - Breaking down Autumn’s study gameplay and materials

(47:17) - Present day: where are you now with your occupational therapy journey?

(51:21) - Autumn’s top tips for preparing for OT Interviews | Challenging questions to think about

(57:27) - What do you envision your OT future to be? | Long-term goals

(1:00:15) Autumn’s Advice for aspiring occupational therapists

*BONUS LIGHTNING ROUND*

Follow Autumn Santos & Once Upon OT on insta! :)

@drautumnksantos

https://www.instagram.com/drautumnksantos/

@once_upon_ot

https://www.instagram.com/once_upon_ot/

In this episode, I have a conversation with Teresa Cao OTR/L who shares about her Occupational Therapy Fellowship in greater detail from NICU rotations, experience with feeding and swallowing, interprofessional collaboration & much more!

Teresa also highlights the importance of cultural relevancy in healthcare and actionable steps we can do to impact the quality of our client-centered care as occupational therapy practitioners.

Timestamps:

(04:03) Reflecting on Occupational Therapy School Experience 

(07:47) Teresa’s Fieldwork Rotations

(10:14) How did fieldwork 2 shape your decision to practice in a certain setting or with a particular population?

(12:11) If you could go back to your first day as an occupational therapy student, what might you tell yourself?

(15:00) What was your first job like as an OT in the Sensory Integration clinic?

(19:34) What Teresa appreciates about OT

(20:28) What is an OT Fellowship? | Feeding & Eating, Autism, LEND & more

(29:50) The story behind "acupofrehab" on Instagram

(36:00) Cultural Relevancy in Healthcare

(41:40) "Client" vs "Patient"

(43:20) What we can do as OT practitioners

(44:12) The need for diverse occupational therapy practitioners

(48:38) The Backbones to Becoming a Clinical Occupational Therapist

Follow Teresa Cao on IG:

(@acupofrehab)

https://www.instagram.com/acupofrehab/

https://www.instagram.com/acupofrehab/

https://www.instagram.com/acupofrehab/

~check out~

Occupational Therapy Journal | Fieldwork Reflection Guide, Graduation Gift for OT Students, New Grad Survival Journal, Backbones to OT

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1653064845/occupational-therapy-journal-fieldwork?click_key=a2800c495560fae48163ea2fb6288ed8ae1d96f7%3A1653064845&click_sum=14008e01&ref=shop_home_active_1&pro=1