Year One. Thriving Not Surviving

Throughout the Year 1: Thriving Not Surviving project we heard from lots of newly qualified Occupational Therapists (NQOTs) about the challenges they faced to their wellbeing in the first months of practice. One of the things which came through loud and clear was, 'I...

Words are important. They help us understand, breaking down the ethereal into tiny little syllables, then, using those building blocks to reassemble the concept in a way that we can all understand. In many ways, our Pocket Guides are just like that, breaking down...

It’s like waiting for a bus, you wait ages for one wellbeing resource to arrive, then six come at once! Yes, the day has arrived when our wellbeing pocket guides are available to download for free, on the Elizabeth Casson website. Though they’re designed for newly...

Starting your career as an Occupational Therapist is an exciting but sometimes anxious time for us all and that’s why we believe it’s so important to be supported and encouraged by your supervisor.  As an Occupational Therapist and newly qualified Occupational...

OTs entering practice for the first time can experience many emotions. Helping patients achieve their goals, meeting new colleagues, learning and working in a new environment and being paid as a professional can be both rewarding and exciting. On the reverse, these...

Job Applications, do they make you feel… Anxious Excited Like an imposter All of the above? More importantly, should I be looking at applying for a new role a year into practice?  Well the opportunity to apply for a Chief Nurse Fellowship Programme advertised in my...

To clarify, I’m not talking about romance, although I guess it is possible to fall in love with your job. My life as an OT so far has been two six month rotations on medicals and neuro, and I have now entered my third rotation: Burns Therapy.I felt like I knew where I...

During my first year of practice I’ve been trying to make the transition from student to practitioner, as well as making the transition from care receiver to care giver. Doing both at once is not easy. Part of the problem I’ve had is that throughout my life, the...

Have you ever attended training, development or started a preceptorship programme and wondered what colour uniform you were actually wearing? I have, as a Band 6 occupational therapist in an acute physical setting supervising newly qualified staff, with resources that...

The Year One Thriving Not Surviving project is focused on creating a self-coaching resource to support the wellbeing of newly qualified occupational therapists. The project is funded by the Elizabeth Casson Trust and you can find out more about how they can support...