I'm currently on break from my first Level 2 fieldwork program. I was an intern at a state psychiatric hospital that has 500+ patients. My unit was not part of the locked facility so I feel I had a unique experience from my peers who were in the main hospital. I really enjoyed my time there and will remember it fondly. Next, I'll be in a skilled nursing facility.
From an OTS perspective, there are a few items I think it's important for future students to know prior to starting any new internships:
1. Politeness is key, to patients, professional staff, and support staff.
2. Personal flexibility will make your life easier.
3. Review Ruiz' "4 Agreements" and you'll have a good handle on what comes your way at your facility. http://www.toltecspirit.com/
General Occupational Therapy knowledge for mental health evaluation and intervention is good, of course (you know, COPM and such). But the above items are much more important in the grand scheme of things, in my opinion. Don't let anyone nerve you into thinking you have to be the best, brightest, and most cutting edge OT student in order to succeed. You run the risk of annoying everyone when you're a know-it-all. Focus on bringing the professional, enthusiastic, and good-humored part of you to the clinic.
All people want to feel good - not belittled, not lectured, and certainly not made to feel incompetent - when they're 1. educating you (professional staff), 2. helping you (support staff), or 3. getting helped by you (patients).
You'll probably feel that way (belittled, lectured, and made to feel incompetent) from the people you're working with at some point, but that's why I said to review the "4 agreements." At the end of the day, it's NBD. A good way to decompress after a bad day is to have a good music mix ready in your car for when it's time to go home. Reach out to your friends in the professional world, or even your classmates, because they probably have an even better story for you about their awful day at work. Just remember that you're always learning something, and nobody's bad mood can take that away from you.
Oh! and one last thing- make yourself a Pinterest account if you don't already have one, and follow every OT board you can find. That will help you come up with creative and fun ideas for activities to do with your patients/clients/residents. www.pinterest.com
