FEATURE NEWLY QUALIFIED PRACTITIONERS

Reflections on launching a career in the midst of a pandemic

Newly-qualified practitioner Olivia Birks reflects on the challenges and joys of navigating a new NHS job during a global pandemic

Navigating a new job at any point in a professional career can often feel intimidating , but starting my first job in a hospital during a pandemic has been a mixture of emotions , and it is definitely an experience university could not have prepared me for .

I started my rotation as a band five occupational therapist in an inner-city hospital around 11 months ago * and I am currently working with a women ’ s health and surgery team . When I was planning my career as an occupational therapist , like many others in the same position , I never thought I would begin this journey in the midst of a global pandemic .

Before starting the job , I asked myself many ‘ what if ’ questions , especially while hearing the media describe the state of UK hospitals . I felt that I would be out of my depth and I worried if I was up to the challenge .

38 OTnews December 2021

OTnews December 2021 | Page 48

Reflections on launching a career in the midst of a pandemic

Navigating a new job at any point in a professional career can often feel intimidating , but starting my first job in a hospital during a pandemic has been a mixture of emotions , and it is definitely an experience university could not have prepared me for .