If you’re looking into Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) school, you’re starting down a meaningful and lucrative career pat. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a in OTA job opportunities over the next decade, meaning that an OTA career will be stable and offer a great salary right out of school.

Before you start your journey, it’s important to choose a school that will be a good fit for you and set you up for long-term success. Here’s how to choose the best OTA school for you.

What is OTA school?

OTA school is how you become an OTA. A good OTA program will include courses and lectures, hands-on learning, fieldwork, and exam prep. All these learning formats work together to prepare you to be a competent, successful OTA.

9 Considerations for Choosing an OTA School

1. Accredited OTA Programs

It’s important to attend an accredited OTA program. Accreditation means that a respected outside organization has thoroughly vetted a school or program and found that its curriculum, faculty, programs, and services are up to standards. The Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education () is an organization that reviews OT schools and programs to make sure that they’re preparing students for OT careers. There are also accredited online OTA programs, so you can be sure of a quality OT education both in person and remotely.

51cg’s OTA program is ACOTE accredited, and we have institutional accreditation from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). At the time of this publication, 51cg is one of only six schools approved to offer an OTA program through distance education, enabling students from select states to prepare for NBCOT licensure in just 20 months.

2. OTA Program Length

OTA school generally takes two years to complete but some programs are faster, and some let you go at your own pace. At Joyce, you can finish your OTA program and qualify as an OTA in just 20 months.

Compare OTA program lengths and choose a school that works with your lifestyle and plans. Some students want to stay in school for longer and take their time, and some prefer to move quickly through OT school and hit the ground running with a career. Either way, be clear on your own plans and learning style to choose an OTA program that you’ll thrive in. Students looking for a fast-track program thrive at Joyce.

3. OTA School Cost

When you’re considering OTA school cost, remember to factor in:

• Tuition
• Books and materials
• Fees
• Cost of living and/or relocation
• Licensure and certification costs
• Financial aid

According to , the average cost of OTA school (including tuition and fees) as of 2023 is $38,545, which means that the average cost of OTA school per semester is around $9,600. Investing in your future with OTA schooling can feel intimidating, but it comes with a great return. The BLS that in 2022, the median annual wage for OTAs is $64,250, with top earners making an average of $85,580 per year.

You can also defray the cost with financial aid. Most OTA schools will have a financial aid office and resources to help you pay for school.

As of 2023, 51cg’s OTA program costs $44,175. Our financial aid office is here to help you find scholarships, grants, loans, work study opportunities, and (if applicable) veterans benefits to help you pay for your OTA training.

4. OTA School Requirements

Many OTA schools have prerequisites, which can include physiology labs, general education classes, and medical terminology courses. Make sure you check the OTA school requirements for every program you consider.

Joyce’s OTA program has no college-level prerequisites. To enroll, students must have proof of high school graduation or its equivalent, pass a college readiness exam, and meet our general admissions requirements.

5. OTA Program Format

In the digital age you have access to different types of OTA schools, including traditional in-person classes and online OTA programs. Keep in mind that this career requires hands-on learning, so OTA online programs generally include in-person aspects like labs, clinical experiences, and fieldwork.

At 51cg, you can do accredited OTA classes online and you don’t even need to live near our Draper, Utah campus. Distance learners from several states take advantage of our flexible, convenient OTA program. Joyce’s didactic courses are held mostly online, and out of state students travel to our campus for short periods to participate in labs. You can read more about our residency requirements and resources for distance learners here.

6. NBCOT Test Preparation

Your OTA program should set you up for success when it comes time to take the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy () test to earn your OTA certification. Look for schools and programs with a high NBCOT pass rate and courses dedicated to test prep.

We’re proud of Joyce’s 98% NBCOT pass rate. Your final semester in Joyce’s OTA program will include a dedicated review course, which is a big way that we support students in successfully becoming certified OTAs.

7. OTA Program Curriculum

Accredited OTA programs will all cover the same OT basics, but the specific curricula will differ. Some will include general education courses, and some may have varying emphases, like pediatric or geriatric care. If you have a specialty in mind or know where you want to work, make sure to apply to OTA schools that cover your area of interest.

Joyce has a comprehensive OTA curriculum that covers the lifespan from pediatrics through adult and geriatric populations. You’ll learn both knowledge and hands-on skills from didactic courses, labs, simulations, and fieldwork. Take a closer look at Joyce’s OTA curriculum here.

OTA school is designed to be challenging. Look for schools with supportive faculty and student resources to help you succeed. Joyce’s student portal gives insight into how your OTA student experience would be here. It has links to student services like IT support, tutoring programs, and additional resources for student success.

8. Faculty Experience

Professors and faculty will shape much of your day-to-day experience at OTA school. Connecting with a faculty mentor can give you someone to turn to during school’s challenges and later, when you’re facing questions during your OTA career.

Look into each prospective school’s faculty. You’ll want to learn from highly-qualified professionals with lots of teaching experience. At Joyce, we hire experienced, doctorate-prepared faculty.

9. Job Placement Support

The result of any good OT school is job placement as an OTA. Your education and licensure will qualify you for work and are important parts of this process, but your OTA program should also support you in finding a good job.

When you’re researching OTA programs, look for schools with career services offices. These will support your long-term success with jobs that are a great fit for you.

All 51cg students and graduates can access our career services for support. Career services tracks student job placement by program, showing that 76.9% of OTA graduates were employed.

°Őłó±đ°ù±đ’s a lot to consider when you’re choosing the right OT school. Remember, you are entering this field as an OTA to make a difference in your clients’ everyday lives. Take the next step in your OTA education by exploring a variety of programs to find the one that best fits your schedule and cultivates career opportunities.

Explore All Healthcare Education Options at 51cg

From our renowned OTA program to our nursing pathways—whether you’re beginning your healthcare journey with our ASN program, pursuing a 3 year BSN degree or accelerated BSN program, advancing through our RN to BSN program, or reaching higher with an MSN degree, discover which healthcare pathway aligns with your career goals by exploring our nursing programs.

Good communication comes in handy a hundred times a day, but in a healthcare setting, it’s a matter of life and death.

Decades of studies have shown a clear and significant correlation between a clinician’s ability to explain, listen, and empathize with biological and functional health outcomes — not to mention patient satisfaction.

With so much on the line, here are a few tips for improving your communication, whether you’re on the computer, in the lab, or on the floor.

Improving Provider-Patient Communication

Considering is forgotten immediately by patients, when they’re discharged from the hospital, you know communication between providers and their patients needs to be better. That’s critical information!

A nurse and young patient exchange a smile and good communication. With clarity in mind, here are a few ways to make sure your expertise is heeded and your patients’ time is respected:

• Make eye contact.
• Avoid medical jargon.
• Position yourself on the patient’s level when talking.

Related resource: A Healthcare Professional’s Guide to Clear Patient Communication

Better Clinical Communication

In the clinical setting, surrounded by nurses, doctors, and administrators, you’ll find communicators of all types. It’s extremely important to maintain clear verbal and written communication between colleagues.

Charting

For most of our graduates, charting is a large part of communication. You’ve probably had the frustration of trying to interpret someone else’s squiggles — er, “notes.” Most healthcare workers have a love-hate relationship with charting. Here’s how to increase the charting love factor:

• Be objective and neutral. Only note what you see, hear, and feel. If information isn’t germane to the patient’s condition, it doesn’t belong in your charting notes.
• Chart right away. Your notes will be more accurate if you write it down as soon as possible after the event occurs. That might not be possible on a busy floor, but if you chart throughout the day, your notes will be more accurate, and you won’t have to do it at the end of your shift!
• Be accurate. The information from your notes will inform how the patient is treated in the future, and might even affect the patient’s outcome. With so much on the line, accuracy is critical.
• Know your facility’s abbreviation policy. If an abbreviation isn’t approved, don’t use it.

Related resource: The Do’s and Don’ts of Charting and Documenting as a New Nurse

Verbal Clinical Communication

The easiest way to promote good verbal communication? Get off your phone. When interacting with doctors, nurses, and other coworkers in a clinical setting, give them your full attention. That means making eye contact — and don’t even think about glancing at your phone during a conversation!

Clarity in the Lab

Communication in a laboratory setting can be inspiring, because it’s between colleagues with common interests working on different projects. Aren’t you curious about what they’re doing?

One way to initiate it? . Almost everyone appreciates being asked for their opinion; it shows respect for the other person’s body of knowledge and demonstrates your own openness to ideas.

Take a daily walk around the lab and ask questions. Stop by the whiteboard, make notes, and ask for ideas. Once you establish regular communication, everyone is more comfortable asking questions when something isn’t clear.

Because people work so closely in a lab environment, they must interact. Take time to learn what communication styles work best for your colleagues. One person might want a cup of coffee in the morning before diving into a conversation, while another might prefer an email. Respecting different styles is key to positive, clear interactions in the lab.

Clear communication and best practices for charting are a large part of a rigorous curriculum in all of our programs. To learn more about nursing, medical assisting, or our other healthcare programs, see our nursing programs page.

Nursing is a tough field. Sure, it can be overwhelmingly rewarding and even exhilarating at times 
 but days will come when you wonder, “Did I make the right choice?”

Related resource: How Do You Know You’re Ready for Nursing School?

In these situations, you need to revisit why you become a nurse or chose nursing school in the first place.

• Was it a family member who encouraged you down this path?
• Did you have a life-changing experience that propelled you toward healthcare?
• Were there specific classes or topics in school that pointed you in this direction?

Life does not just happen to us. Experiences occur that gently nudge us in one direction or another. It’s important to keep in mind the joy of nursing, even as the work days become difficult.

Here is a 3-step process you can try to get back to the joy of nursing practice.

Related resource: Self-Care as a Student

1. List your “do nots.”

Sure, there are things in nursing that we do not like. Think about your current situation, either school- or work-related. What is it that you do not enjoy?

Write down the tasks you do not like. Maybe list out the emotions that are unpleasant to feel. Is there a type of coworker or student that you avoid interacting with? This list is to get out everything you do not want to feel, experience, be, or have to do in nursing.

Now, one caveat. You need to write down things as they relate to you. For example, , try not to list everything wrong about them as a nurse. Focus more specifically on the behaviors that you are not keen on.

We want this first list to be items that we have control over or things we can change in our own nursing practice.

Related resource: Developing a Work-Life Balance at Joyce

2. Take the “do not” list and turn it into “do!”

Now comes the fun part. Look at every item on the do-not list and write down the opposite. Here is an example for you:

If I wrote, “I do not want to feel nervous running charge,” I would then change it to the exact opposite. “If I do not want to feel nervous running charge, then what I do want is to be a confident charge nurse!”

So, if I don’t want X, then what I do want is Y. It needs to be the exact opposite and the first thing that pops into your mind. Try not to censor yourself or overthink this. Your rational mind may say, “But you’re still worried 
 you’re not confident! This will never happen.”

Don’t let your brain run your heart.

Work through each of the “do nots” and get them to the “do wants.” Again, the first thing that comes to mind and as close to the opposite as you can.

Related resource: 7 Tips for Single Parents Going to Nursing School

3. Envision and be intentional with the reasons why.

Here’s the final step. Looking at the do-want list, create intentional statements for yourself. Now here’s the trick:

In front of each statement, insert the words “I choose to 
”

So, going with the example above: “If I don’t want to feel nervous as a new charge nurse, what I do want is to be a confident charge nurse. I choose to be a confident charge nurse!”

By inserting those three little words, you are allowing your brain to catch up. Gently inviting the brain to get on board makes it easier to bring new desires into reality.

You’re not done yet.

Writing this list and walking away, never doing anything with it, won’t elicit any change. Instead, you need to revisit this list from time to time. I recommend daily and even taking it a step further.

Read your list aloud while looking at yourself in the mirror. Sounds silly, right? It works!

If you wake up each morning, look into your own eyes, and say with assurance “I choose to be a confident charge nurse,” guess what? With time, it will be your reality.

Yup, nursing is hard work. And there will be shifts that make you want to scream. However, by keeping your heartfelt desires, the reasons you went into nursing in the first place, front and center, working as a nurse will become a bit more enjoyable.

We’d love to hear from you! Why did you go into nursing in the first place? What do you enjoy about the profession? How do you keep at it, even when the work is hard? Share below and thanks for reading!

51cg the author

Keynote speaker and bestselling author partners with hospitals, nursing schools, and nurse associations to transform the field of nursing from the inside out. As the host of the Nurses’ Week’s ‘’ program, Elizabeth guides nurses and nursing students to a change in perspective, helping them make the inner shift needed to better maneuver the sometimes-challenging realities of being a caregiver.

Elizabeth received her dual master’s degree from Johns Hopkins University. She is also a certified coach and Reiki Master Teacher. Elizabeth lives in Maryland with her supportive husband and a playful pit bull.

First, allow us to say congratulations on deciding to rise to the challenge of going to school while also raising children. That’s a big undertaking, and we can’t respect you enough for doing it. We want to empower you to help you meet that challenge, so here are seven tips for balancing school, kids, work, and caring for yourself:

1. Reach Out to Those Close to You

Parenting is tough, and we’ll be honest: Adding school to the mix will make it tougher. Reach out to friends or family to help you as you make your way through classes, parenting, and work. Childcare is probably the most obvious area where friends or family can help, but emotional support is also important. Having lunch or dinner with peers you can talk to about your frustrations and joys is just as important to your health. Communicate your needs to those around you. They’ll help in both logistical and emotional ways. You’re not alone.

Related resource: When is the Right Time to Go Back to School?

2. Apply for Financial Aid

Financial aid is mostly associated with younger students, but it’s available to nearly everybody. For a single parent with many obligations, financial aid can be a huge help. Joyce offers many financial aid options to incoming students, and a counselor can work with you to find the type that fits your needs. Help is out there. Just ask!

3. Develop a Routine

Routines can be a great source of comfort. Uncertainty, having to make decisions, and constantly altering your daily plans on the fly is immensely stressful. A routine relieves you of all that. Your classes will have a fairly set schedule, and that’s something you can build a routine around. Hopefully you’ll be able to work with your employer to develop a work routine that meets both of your needs.

But you’ll also need a routine for your child. It’s important that they comprehend and be comfortable with their own daily plans, whether it’s going to daycare or knowing that on certain days they’ll be getting rides with certain friends or relatives. That schedule can also include times when they know they’ll be with you, and you’ll be focused on them. Blocking out times for activities will remind them that they’re still your number one priority, even in the face of all of your academic and professional obligations.

4. Talk to Your Children 51cg Your Plan

Kids are often smarter than we give them credit for, and how you talk to your children can provide a host of benefits. If your children see you studying and ask what you’re reading, tell them. They might not understand the precise or technical details of what you’re reading, but they can grasp what a nurse is and the very basics of what they do. You’ll give them something to be proud of. They’ll be able to look up to and understand that their parent is someone who helps other people. That love and pride can make the whole experience all the more rewarding.

5. When Possible, Study Online

We know a lot of our students have jobs, families, lives, and obligations. That’s a big reason why all of Joyce’s general education courses are offered online. Online classes offer many benefits, including flexibility with your schedule. You can still be there for your kids while you’re studying, and you can have the added benefit of being in your own space while you learn. You might still have to be on campus for some classes, but not all of them.

Related resource: 10 Best Study Space Tips

6. Make Time for Yourself

Given all the demands on a single parent’s time, this might feel like an impossible task, but it’s deeply necessary. Healthcare workers devote an immense amount of time and effort to their patients, and parents to their children, but you are also a human being, and you must be cared for as well. Even taking twenty minutes out of each day to read a book, take a bath, or just sit quietly in meditation can improve your wellbeing. By being recharged and refreshed, you’ll be better equipped to carry out your responsibilities. Self-care isn’t selfish: It’s necessary.

Related resource: How to Succeed in Nursing School

7. Remember Your Goal

Being in school as an adult and a parent is a unique experience. You’ll have your studies, your children, and your job all making demands on your time. Remember, though: This is temporary. Eventually you will complete your studies and get a job in a field you love. Likewise, as kids get older they become more independent. This hectic time in your life is just less than two years where you’re buckling down and doing the hard work to make a difference for yourself. Remember, there’s a payoff.

Remember, this hectic time in your life is just a stepping stone to making a difference for yourself and your family. At 51cg, whether you’re beginning your healthcare journey with our ASN program, pursuing a 3 year BSN degree or accelerated BSN program, advancing through our RN to BSN program, or reaching higher with an MSN degree, we’ll support you in balancing your education with single parenthood. Discover which nursing program aligns with your family’s future by exploring our nursing school.

School is hard, especially for healthcare students. Whether you’re studying to be a Nurse or an OTA you’re going to feel bogged down at times from classes and externships, assignments and looming licensure exams. It’s natural to shut down and close up during those times, but that’s when you need your support network the most. You need to carve out time to keep in touch with your loved ones during school, and these 10 ways can help.

1. First- and last-thing texts

It can just be a simple, “Assisted with my first pediatric patient in clinical today!” before bed or “Test today: I’m nervous!” right when you wake up. Your friends and family want to hear how you’re doing, and a text can be the simplest and quickest way to relay information, especially when you’re busy. They’re also easy to copy and send to multiple people.

2. Phone call on-the-go

Don’t have time to sit and chat on the phone for half an hour every night? That’s student life. You don’t have to ignore your phone’s first purpose, though; you can still use it to call friends or your grandmother as you’re heading out the door, even while you’re picking up groceries. Healthcare students learn to multitask quickly, so use those skills for keeping in touch with your support network. Even if you miss them, you can leave a voicemail. Moms always love to hear your voice.

3. Set birthday alerts in your calendar

It’s possible none of us would remember anyone’s birthday without Facebook these days, but even if you log on to the social network every day with your phone, you’re likely to miss a lot of birthday news. At the start of every year (and/or now), make a list of your closest friends and family members, and set a calendar alert to tell you it’s their birthday. You might not have time to buy them a card, but you can still call or text, and keep in touch.

4. Stack of postcards

Letter-writing takes a lot of time, which explains why it’s a dying art these days. Few schedules allow for the time and focus required to write a long, detailed letter, but even healthcare students have time to churn out 2-3 sentences. At the start of every semester, assemble a stack of postcards and $0.35 stamps and keep them near your desk. When a friend comes to mind, write them a quick note and put it in the mailbox.

5. Group messages on Facebook

One of the best assets of any healthcare program is your peer group, in particular the cohort with whom you started your program. At Joyce and any healthcare school, there’s always a few classes of nursing, DLT, and MA students rotating through at different stages. Your cohort is always going through the same stage of classes, tests, and clinicals, which means if you’re struggling with something: They probably are too. Group messages on Facebook can be a great way to reach out, connect with and encourage each other, and remember you’re not alone in this.

6. Memory-triggered Snapchat

See something in a store that reminds you of a friend? As the saying goes, “°Őłó±đ°ù±đ’s an app for that!” Snapchat can be faster than texting, but it remains personal. Snap a photo and start a quick chat with your younger brother or old roommate. It may last 45 seconds, but it will keep you connected.

7. Rotating dinner parties

When you’re cramming for exams, you barely have time to eat, much less prepare a meal and feed friends, and student budgeting makes going out for meals a challenge. The solution: Set aside a day every month where you and a group of friends commit to dinner together. Every month, one of you cooks, which means you only have to face the hassle a couple of times a year. Every other month, even if you’re bogged down with projects, going to a friend’s apartment for dinner and reconnecting for a whole evening will bolster your spirits, which can empower you to study well.

8. Errand-run catchup

Similar to phone call multitasking: Take your friends or roommates or classmates with you on errand runs. Some healthcare students prefer to be alone while grocery shopping, seeing it as a chance to decompress, but others need some human interaction after hours of studying alone. If you’re among the latter, text friends the morning you plan to head out to go shopping and see if anyone wants to join you. If they’re free, multitask to make the chore fun.

9. Schedule video chats

It’s hard to go weeks, sometimes months, without seeing family, but that’s the reality for a lot of healthcare students. With time scheduled down to the last hour, you may not be able to spend a weekend or, if they live close enough, afternoon with family members, but you can still see them thanks to programs like Skype, FaceTime, and Google+ Hangouts. When you’re drafting your schedule, be sure you include times to video chat with loved ones. It’s not quite the same as a real visit, but it’s a powerful way to keep in touch.

10. Google Docs

Remember in middle school, when you passed notes back and forth, filling pages with your conversations? You could argue that was proto-texting, but there’s something nice and special about sharing a document with just one or two close friends. creating something like this together to maintain a long-distance relationship with a friend, being an interesting way to keep in touch, and a great keepsake.

There are literally hundreds of other ways to keep in touch with loved ones while you’re in school, from blogs and daily one sentence e-mails to book clubs, and watching the same series together. Whatever works for you to keep in touch while you study nursing, dental technology, or medical assisting, do it. Your support network is invaluable as you study toward your future career.

On that note: If you’re interested in learning more about becoming a Nurse, or an OTA, reach out to us. We would love to hear from you!

Start Building Your Healthcare Network at 51cg

Whether you’re beginning your healthcare journey with our ASN program, pursuing a 3 year BSN degree or accelerated BSN program, advancing through our RN to BSN program, or reaching higher with an MSN degree, you’ll join a supportive community of future healthcare professionals. Begin building meaningful connections at our nursing school today.

Studying for the NCLEX

If you’re planning on becoming a registered nurse, you’ll need to prepare for and pass your NCLEX exam. Before taking the test, you’ll need to register for the course and pay the sign-up fee. Once you’ve picked a test date, create a study plan and start preparing!

• Give yourself plenty of time to study, and start by gathering your study materials like notes from your classes, study books, and flashcards. Take online practice tests to get experience with test format.
• If you have time before your exam, sign up for a review course. Extra practice will reflect positively on your NCLEX score.
• You made connections while in school, so work with your classmates to prepare for the exam. Studying in groups is helpful because you can test each other on your weak points.
• Finally, it’s time to take the test. When you pass, you’ll be ready to apply for a nursing job!

Related resource: 10 Common Types of NCLEX Questions

Apply for Jobs

Whether you’re a medical assistant, a dental laboratory technician, a nurse, or an occupational therapist, everyone needs to apply for a job. If you’re hoping to have a position locked down before you graduate, start applying three to four months before graduation. The healthcare industry is booming,  This means there are jobs to be had!

As an Joyce graduate, you’ll probably spend some time doing the following to discover your ideal position:

• Work on your resume. Make sure your resume gives a comprehensive picture of your healthcare background and training, as well as your education and certifications. Your resume should be clear, concise, and tailored to the position you’re applying for.
• Look at online job listings. Explore what’s available in your geographical area in the specialties you’re interested in. It can take a long time for HR departments and hospitals to look over resumes, so don’t stress if you don’t hear back about a job right away.
• Write a personalized cover letter. This should be an extension of your resume, giving examples of your performance and skills and showing why you’re the perfect person for this position.
• Network with your fellow healthcare professionals. Talk to your classmates, your instructors, and anyone you met while getting your degree. Get their insight into the industry and see if they know of any open positions or healthcare facilities they’d recommend. A personal recommendation can go a long way!

Related Resource:  6 Networking Tips for New Nurses

Practice for Interviews

Once you’ve got an interview lined up, you’ll need to prepare. Take your personalized cover letter and resume to the interview in case the interviewer needs a copy. This always looks professional. Reread the job description beforehand so you’re ready to answer questions pertaining to the job requirements.Ìę and talking about your experience. Being able to speak eloquently about your skills and experience is a big plus. It’s also important to look the part. Dress professionally and consider investing in a nice outfit for interview opportunities. Creating a great first impression is vital and can make all the difference to hiring managers. Always follow up your interview with an email, phone call, or handwritten thank you note. This helps you leave a positive, lasting impression!

Related resource: Interview Tips for Your First Nursing Job

Frequently Asked Questions 51cg Clinicals

Clinicals allow future nurses to experience the daily work of a professional healthcare provider, across various types of nursing specialties. Here are six frequently asked questions about nursing clinical routines and practices so you’re prepared when your rotation comes around.

At Joyce, we understand that the prospect of paying for college can be intimidating, but we’re here to help! We’re committed to making college accessible and affordable to anyone who wishes to pursue their degree. That’s why financial aid is available to qualifying students for all of our programs.

Our financial aid department consults personally with every student to help educate you about your financial aid options and the process of applying. Ultimately, we hope to make sure that our prospective and current students are equipped with the knowledge they need to make the most of their financial aid options. With that in mind, we’ve prepared this helpful post to walk you through the potential resources available to help you pay for your healthcare education.

51cg has taken a proactive approach to nursing education during the COVID-19 pandemic. As colleges adapted to social distancing protocols, Joyce students were gaining valuable clinical experience volunteering in the Medical Reserve Corps (), a federal network of volunteers sponsored by the Salt Lake County Health Department that was actively deployed throughout the Salt Lake valley to combat the spread of COVID-19.

Joyce Students Stepping Forward

Led by Jill Dubbelman and other dedicated faculty, Joyce’s senior capstone nursing students volunteered with the MRC, getting hands-on experience in the field with extensive PPE training and a crash course in FEMA disaster coordinating. “Students have provided numerous hours supporting quarantine sites, by giving medical care and more. These students have tested thousands of individuals across the valley and donated thousands of hours toward this response to COVID-19.” reports Bryan Lewis, emergency planner for the .

He goes on to say that “the MRC task force is assisting with multiple operations, including identifying ‘COVID hot spots’ and testing these areas, offering COVID-19 testing and screening at multiple locations for free, and going to numerous long term care facilities, homeless and refugee communities and providing education, screening and testing for individuals. Other areas the task force is supporting include providing medical support at quarantine and isolation facilities for individuals who have nowhere to go.”

Getting Involved with the Medical Reserve Corps.

When COVID-19 was identified in January of 2020, Bryan Lewis knew he needed to take action quickly to get medical volunteers and supporters mobilized in response to the global health crisis. “I started quickly researching organizations and reaching out to organizations with medical programs, and one of the programs I came across was (Joyce).”

After coordinating with clinical instructor Jill Dubbelman, a plan was set in motion to mobilize the capstone nursing students into strike teams for the Medical Reserve Corps. Jill worked to quickly train the student teams in PPE and lab testing to get them prepared for work in the field. “We tested 122 homeless people our first day while testing at a day shelter. The health department and 4th street clinic could not believe we did so many in one day.” says Jill.

Between April and November, “over 77 (Joyce) students and faculty gave a combined of nearly 10,000 hours (to the MRC)” — an ever-growing number as students continue to volunteer. “The students, super excited, quickly jumped to the plate and went above and beyond and assisted in multiple medical operations such as quarantine and isolation support, and COVID-19 screening and testing.” says Bryan.

Students Impacting Their Community

Joyce students have worked tireless hours to help fight against the spread of COVID-19. The strike teams they created have administered more than 30,000 tests, which has helped augment the medical response in quarantine and isolation facilities. They have helped improve testing capacities significantly according to Bryan, “at 1 facility we tested 500 people in under 3 hours with the students’ help, and we can now test 1 patient every 2-3 minutes per team. (Joyce) allowed us to more quickly and efficiently reach out to populations that needed us the most, such as homeless populations, without these students it would be difficult to test these populations. These students improved our testing capabilities significantly, and freed the health department up to perform other essential tasks such as contact tracing.”

When it comes to how the MRC has helped make an impact overall during the COVID-19 pandemic, Bryan says, “The Medical Reserve Corps has been instrumental in the response to COVID-19. The MRC has identified hot spots, performed screenings, provided medical support, and performed thousands of COVID-19 tests throughout the valley. Without the Medical Reserve Corps work, I do not believe we would be where we are currently
”

Above and beyond the call of duty, students are finding other ways to make life a little easier for the populations they are serving through the MRC. Nursing instructor Jill Dubbelman shared a few stories about how the students lended support, “Amanda Murdoch and others have donated clothes and crayons, coloring books and games to the shelter when they found out there were children there.” While other students like Camille Camocaho, offered to translate Spanish “and was a big help with her shelter because there were Spanish speaking patients she could help.” Even during the long hours focused on testing people throughout the Salt Lake valley, a few students lended a hand when they saw that a couple of kittens needed rescuing. Student nurses Nicole, Bret, Paige, and Stephanie “were testing at the men’s resource center at night with Bryan and they had to call in a fire department to save the kittens.”

What Students are Saying

“I really got to know my fellow classmates and instructors. I gained stronger and new relationships, which made COVID19 easier to cope with. It also taught me skills I wasn’t planning on gaining!

Although hours were required for capstone, I still volunteered with MRC after completion of hours and actually just got a job with them! It is nice to know that I can make a difference in the community.” – Mikayla Gibson, Student (ADN)

“My experience with the MRC has been eventful and unforgettable. I have learned to adapt quickly and be reliable. It has also been incredibly fun and rewarding and I have been able to form great friendships.

I have loved the autonomy of participating in the MRC and the feeling of actually doing something to improve and serve my community. It is so rewarding to know that I am contributing to the success of my state through this pandemic. Serving others is the most important part of nursing in my eyes, and I am being provided with ample opportunities to serve by being a part of the MRC.” – Alta Findlay, Student (ADN-BSN)

“It has been amazing to work with the health department and other nurses. The patients are nothing short of kind and respectful.” – Samantha Brimley, Student (ADN)

“Joining the MRC put me on the front lines of the COVID pandemic and I have enjoyed every minute of it. We work hard, we work fast and are committed to giving the best care and finding results in the most efficient manner during this time.

It’s been very enjoyable to be able to be a part of such a big part of our world history. Every day we are deployed out to test for illness, and I’m grateful every day to be a part of the medical profession. I’m very proud of the work that we all do in order to help control the spread of COVID as well as other everyday healthcare work. It has really opened my eyes to an entirely new, community-based side of healthcare.” – Anna Tremea, Student (ADN-BSN)

“It felt great to take part in such impactful work as a student, it was such an honor. We had patients and other people looking to us for answers. I felt like everything I had learned in school up that point was finally falling into place and that I could actually help people. It was so fulfilling!” – Jessica Reilly, Student (ADN)

Our Plans for the Future

As the pandemic continues to affect our local communities throughout Utah, Joyce and the MRC are committed to providing necessary testing and medical support to those affected by this global crisis. Through the hard work and dedication of its committed faculty, Joyce is continuing to pave the way for their capstone students to get out of the classroom and into their communities, where they can get hands-on clinical experience and gain valuable skills that will prepare them for a successful future in nursing.

If you are interested in joining our robust and active student community, check out our nursing programs and schedule an appointment to speak with an Admissions Advisor. Whether you’re beginning your healthcare journey with our ASN program, pursuing a 3 year BSN degree or accelerated BSN program, advancing through our RN to BSN program, or reaching higher with an MSN degree, you’ll join a community of nurses dedicated to making a real difference. Start your journey at our nursing school today.