grad essay

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY 4

Occupational therapy

Name:

Date:

University Affiliation:

My experiences in healthcare

At an early age, I always knew I wanted to help people to help people in life by becoming an occupational therapist. At the age of 21, I finished my studies and became a Certified Nurse Assistant. I worked in the rehabilitation unit, and the experience was more satisfying than I had anticipated. I loved being a CNA, helping the clients to regain their daily lives after events such as hip replacement or strokes. I enjoyed prescribing and educating the clients in the use of adaptive equipment to assist function.

I loved working at the nursing facility, but like many CNA's, I burned out. I felt like my job in mental health was expandable, and I also wanted a career in which my contribution would be appreciated. After talking to an Occupational therapist with whom we worked in the same facility, I was inspired, and I decided to become an occupational therapist assistant. My first class two weeks later was on Anatomy and Physiology. The class was challenging, with my favorite subjects Pediatrics and Physical disabilities being the hardest, but I got through it with the support of my amazing cohort.

My first skilled paid experience was at a Skilled nursing facility. I worked with geriatrics, working in a sub acute hospital with people suffering from hip and knee fractures. I assessed the clients' cognition, function, and psychosocial needs and monitored their function and progress; prescribing adaptive equipment to ensure safety upon discharge from the hospital. Also, we had various specialist interventions in different health conditions including surgery, burns, HIV and acute mental health. We each depended entirely on our unique circumstances and goals.

I recall an experience with a lung cancer patient who would refuse therapy from the entire rehab team. I took the challenge as a therapist to make our sessions with her more meaningful and productive to her since she was likely to remain at the facility for the rest of her care. She indicated that she had 'lived a full life,”, I thought a great intervention would be to make a memory book for her son and grandchildren. Together, we made a scrapbook, and we organized the pictures of her life events. The memory book gave her something to look forward to every day and provided her with a visual, perceptual, cognitive, and fine motor activities. Her activity tolerance improved, she had a reason to get out of bed, and the event fostered psychosocial well-being. She had a sense of comfort and closure, which I think increased the quality of her life. By engaging in this task, she had a feeling of competency and satisfaction. She adapted to her life circumstances and experienced a sense of spiritual dignity. I am a hardworking student with the essential competencies in knowledge, skills, and attitude required for an occupational therapist to practice safely, effectively and ethically.

After graduation from my COTA program in 2014, I have always wanted to become the OTR/L. I have been working on per requite classes since then hoping to find the best college where I will learn a lot and be of service. I believe in the power of occupation. I had personally experienced moments when time seemed to pass at lightning speed as I lost myself in a valued occupation. I have witnessed the effects of the loss of a valued role. I know that engagement invaluable occupation indeed does contribute to the health and well-being of a person. We, as occupational therapists, have a lot to contribute to this world. It is my hope that we learn to unleash the power of occupation so that we can assist others to become all that they were meant to be and fully enjoy the gift of this life. I have the determination to further my education in occupational therapy and to strengthen my foundation of knowledge of the occupation-based practice.

Thank you for your consideration.