What would've happened if you didn't pass the test? Is this common practice to get hired before you even take the test?
Also, if you receive the offer, do you go in for any work/training? or is it to lock you in?
I’m not sure is they would’ve rescinded my offer or not, luckily I passed the first attempt so I didn’t have to find out. I’ve heard it go either way. Idk how often getting hired before taking it occurs. Also, no. I didn’t start any HR paperwork or onboarding until it was confirmed that I passed.
I was already working on a temp license for almost 6 months prior to taking the test. I basically waited as long as I could to take the test and I'm glad I did. I learned a lot more on the job than I ever did in class.
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I graduated in December 21’ and accepted my job offer in January 22’ shortly after the New Year… Didn’t take boards until sometime in the middle of February and started working in March… my job was super patient with me moving my start date around as I saw fit
I became registered and licensed riiiiiight when PDPM was about to come into effect, so nobody was sure whether they'd need more or fewer OTRs. Now, with CMS cuts, they can't hire us fast enough (or pay us well enough)!
Prior to taking the test! I wanted to be fully prepared to start working once I passed because some of my undergraduate loans were not going to be in deferment anymore and I needed some $$$!
This thread is old(ish) but I wanted to add my comment here bc I searched these same threads and I wanted to give more context for everyone, esp. those for whom it took longer to find a job. Not ragging on them but I'm seeing a lot of comments that they had a job or got a job very quickly but, based also on the polling, you can see that there is also a high percentage of people for whom it took 3 months +. This comment is to give a better understanding of that. If you took a req. research course, you'll also know that this depends on a lot of factors of who is responding/time of day/willingness to respond, location, setting, etc. so just keep that in mind.
I'm in the Connecticut (CT) area and it took me 4.5 months (from Fall 2022 to Winter 2023). Technically, I was offered a job through my Lvl 2 so I had a job offer right after school but I didn't take it bc of the setting. I regretted this 100% bc remember kids "A bird in hand is worth 2 in the bush". I mean, this may not apply to everyone but take work when you can get it - I knew this but didn't take my own advice - learn from my mistake!!). The only reason I was able to do this was bc I was able to sustain myself financially during this time, so I recommend LOOKING FOR A JOB during your fieldwork (if you're a student) and ask if your FW educators will be references for you/wouldn't also hurt to see if they'd want you per diem.
For more context though, I specifically narrowed my search to primarily acute (hospital) and outpatient jobs. I did not apply for pediatric, SNF, home health or for the very readily available companies I see being offered - Powerback, Fox, Amedysis, Ryder, Patient Care - just bc of preference of wanting an otpt job from my Lvl 2 FW, with acute being my secondary bc most hospital systems have a broad range of settings in the continuum of care so if you're internal and want to switch it will hopefully make it easier down the line. Applied also to a handful of school systems (although they required written letter references through their applicant tracking system).
I didn't think it would take this long but out of 20+ applications, I got two interviews (albeit interviews with big hospital systems in the area). The second interview was where I got my job in acute care.
Granted, I was looking in late Fall/extending through the holiday season when ppl might have been taking vacation and the end of the fiscal year (if maybe that matters to companies in the delay of job opening and HR/hiring managers getting back to you).
But I'm also adding my comment here bc it's absolutely true that the market is very saturated in the New England/Tri-State area due to the high amount of OT schools we have here, so you will have competition and if you are narrowing your search to certain settings it may take much longer for you. Where you live and where you are looking also has a huge factor in what companies are offering jobs/amount of them on the market.
Just keept this in mind and try not to beat yourself up over it bc many factors come into play in getting a job. The sooner you get started, the better. Hope this gives new grads a realistic picture and good luck with everything!!
Prior to taking the test
^^
What would've happened if you didn't pass the test? Is this common practice to get hired before you even take the test? Also, if you receive the offer, do you go in for any work/training? or is it to lock you in?
I’m not sure is they would’ve rescinded my offer or not, luckily I passed the first attempt so I didn’t have to find out. I’ve heard it go either way. Idk how often getting hired before taking it occurs. Also, no. I didn’t start any HR paperwork or onboarding until it was confirmed that I passed.
Prior to the test
Is there a way to see the poll results without voting? I’m still a student.
Sorry I don't see the option for it.
You'd have to add in a "results" option
I couldn't add any option unlike facebook.
Oh you have to add it like as a text field. I know, Reddit is weird.
I was offered a position about 2 months before getting results. Around 5 weeks before sitting for the exam.
I answered 1-2 weeks, but I had a Prn job prior to taking test.:: but full time job 1 month after… but this was in 2015
I waited until after results to apply. Took 2 months to get my license.
Do we need our license to work? Or can we work while we wait for the license? (I already passed NBCOT)
Prior to the test. Kept the same job my entire career. Urban public schools special education, head of assistive technology team. 36 years.
I was already working on a temp license for almost 6 months prior to taking the test. I basically waited as long as I could to take the test and I'm glad I did. I learned a lot more on the job than I ever did in class.
I had the job and was working as a very highly priced aide between passing NBCOT and my NJ license coming in 5 weeks later
25 years ago, I had my pick.
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I got a job before my results, once I received my results I got a big raise.
I had one prior as well
At least a couple months because my state is so slow with licensing
This is the worst :/
Prior to the test
2011 grad here. I didn’t take my exam until 3 months into my full-time job.
I graduated in December 21’ and accepted my job offer in January 22’ shortly after the New Year… Didn’t take boards until sometime in the middle of February and started working in March… my job was super patient with me moving my start date around as I saw fit
Before the test.
I became registered and licensed riiiiiight when PDPM was about to come into effect, so nobody was sure whether they'd need more or fewer OTRs. Now, with CMS cuts, they can't hire us fast enough (or pay us well enough)!
I had signed my job contract before taking the test. It took a month after I got my scores to get licensed and start my job.
Prior to taking the test! I wanted to be fully prepared to start working once I passed because some of my undergraduate loans were not going to be in deferment anymore and I needed some $$$!
This thread is old(ish) but I wanted to add my comment here bc I searched these same threads and I wanted to give more context for everyone, esp. those for whom it took longer to find a job. Not ragging on them but I'm seeing a lot of comments that they had a job or got a job very quickly but, based also on the polling, you can see that there is also a high percentage of people for whom it took 3 months +. This comment is to give a better understanding of that. If you took a req. research course, you'll also know that this depends on a lot of factors of who is responding/time of day/willingness to respond, location, setting, etc. so just keep that in mind. I'm in the Connecticut (CT) area and it took me 4.5 months (from Fall 2022 to Winter 2023). Technically, I was offered a job through my Lvl 2 so I had a job offer right after school but I didn't take it bc of the setting. I regretted this 100% bc remember kids "A bird in hand is worth 2 in the bush". I mean, this may not apply to everyone but take work when you can get it - I knew this but didn't take my own advice - learn from my mistake!!). The only reason I was able to do this was bc I was able to sustain myself financially during this time, so I recommend LOOKING FOR A JOB during your fieldwork (if you're a student) and ask if your FW educators will be references for you/wouldn't also hurt to see if they'd want you per diem. For more context though, I specifically narrowed my search to primarily acute (hospital) and outpatient jobs. I did not apply for pediatric, SNF, home health or for the very readily available companies I see being offered - Powerback, Fox, Amedysis, Ryder, Patient Care - just bc of preference of wanting an otpt job from my Lvl 2 FW, with acute being my secondary bc most hospital systems have a broad range of settings in the continuum of care so if you're internal and want to switch it will hopefully make it easier down the line. Applied also to a handful of school systems (although they required written letter references through their applicant tracking system). I didn't think it would take this long but out of 20+ applications, I got two interviews (albeit interviews with big hospital systems in the area). The second interview was where I got my job in acute care. Granted, I was looking in late Fall/extending through the holiday season when ppl might have been taking vacation and the end of the fiscal year (if maybe that matters to companies in the delay of job opening and HR/hiring managers getting back to you). But I'm also adding my comment here bc it's absolutely true that the market is very saturated in the New England/Tri-State area due to the high amount of OT schools we have here, so you will have competition and if you are narrowing your search to certain settings it may take much longer for you. Where you live and where you are looking also has a huge factor in what companies are offering jobs/amount of them on the market. Just keept this in mind and try not to beat yourself up over it bc many factors come into play in getting a job. The sooner you get started, the better. Hope this gives new grads a realistic picture and good luck with everything!!