So many things to reply to, I'm not sure where to start!
I'm an OT student in Baltimore, MD. I'm in a combined BS/MS program graduating in May 2007, and I'm just finishing up my phys/dys level II, and until now, I've had a phenomenal experience.
After 10+ weeks of being at my phys-dys fieldwork, (an orthopedic floor) I have to echo what others have said about the relationship between OT's and the rest of the staff. I have found that it is the OT's that get along the best with the RN's, PCA's, PT's, SW's, PA's, and MD's. But it is a two way street. If you're in a room talking with a patient and a tech comes in to change the sheets, go ahead and help the tech while you continue chatting...it makes everyone like you even more.
As for my typical day, we start in the morning seeing patients day 1 after surgery (in my floor, its usually hip and knee replacements, or limb lengthening) for the initial evaluations. We're usually able to judge from how well they get up and walk around if they're going to go home or go to acute rehab. On the first day, we usually get out of bed, take a few steps and sit in a recliner chair. The initial evals are also usually a co-treat with physical therapy. On the second day after surgery, we usually do toilet transfers, making sure that the patients can get on and off a low toilet safely. On the third day after surgery, we go over adaptive equipment for lower body ADL's (they can't break those hip precautions!), car transfers, and tub transfers. Most patients are off the floor by 3 days, either going home or to rehab.
I've done field trips to other areas of the hospital, including acute care and TBI. In TBI/neuro, we help out with dressing, hygiene, and other ADL's as well as ROM and muscle strengthening, esspecially with stroke patients. In acute care, I've worked with spinal cord injury patients, where we teach them how to put on the brace and go about their ADL's while managing their injury.
Overall, I've learned more on my fieldworks than in all my schooling, but that is not to discount the education. Education is paramount to learning about all the conditions you may see and learning how to treat them. What I'm saying is that seeing it firsthand is how it gets ingrained in you the best.
As for salaries, the hospital I'm interning at currently has openings for OT (too bad I'm not graduating till next year!) and I know that their STARTING salary is in the mid $50,000 range. My clinical instructor has been working there for 8 years and is a level 3 OT and is making mid to high $70,000 range. So there is money to be made out there!
Anyway, I've said enough for tonight, but I'd be glad to help anyone who has any questions. Although I haven't even THOUGHT about the NBCOT exams yet!
