i LOVE my job

it is true! i seriously LOVE my job. i look back at the anxiety i had over the transition from student to OT and i don't understand why. although i miss my classmates dearly, i am thrilled to be on this path (working, well, interning i guess) rather than back in the classroom. i am learning TONS not just about treating and evaluating as OTs do, but i am learning A LOT about myself as a professional OT to be. it is great. i have loved getting to know the patients. one thing that i have thought a lot about whilst in a psyche setting is the necessity to treat all patients as normal and 'whole' individuals despite any abnormalities. kind of similar to the idea of talking to infants as though they are grown-ups. i remember a guest lecturer sharing stories of when he made an effort to speak to the individual despite their illnesses/set-backs/disabilities and as they came out of their sickness or gained reality, they expressed gratitude to this man for acknowledging them as real people too. i think this is why i love this profession. we OT's (so i believe) are known for our ability to treat the WHOLE person: body and soul as they are forever linked. although an individual might be experiencing psychosis, mania, or depression, acknowledging them for their strengths and their abilities and exhibiting a genuine concern for their well-being and success is what makes me so happy.

i have had a very enjoyable time so far at this placement and i am beginning to get pumped up for my next placement- rehab. i venture to suggest that rehab might be my preference overall, but we will see. scrubs for work attire is very tempting.