From New Grad to Confident OT: Your First Year in Occupational Therapy
Graduating from your OT program is a huge milestone. Congratulations! Now comes the exciting (and sometimes overwhelming) transition into your first role as a new grad occupational therapist.
Your first year in practice is less about having all the answers and more about learning, growing, and finding your footing. With the right mindset, mentorship, and support, this phase can set the foundation for a long, fulfilling OT career.
At AMN Healthcare, we’re here to guide you through those early steps, so you never have to navigate your first year alone.
New Grad to OT: Watch the Full Career Path Video
In this video, Kyla Halverson, Allied Recruiter at AMN Healthcare, walks through what new grad OTs can expect in their first year, from choosing settings and finding mentorship to building confidence and maintaining work-life balance.
Start Your OT Career with Confidence
Your first OT role should help you grow, not overwhelm you. AMN offers structured mentorship, nationwide opportunities, and ongoing support designed specifically for new grad occupational therapists.
Explore OT Opportunities Nationwide
What Your First Year as a New Grad OT Really Looks Like
Your first year in occupational therapy is full of growth, both professionally and personally. It’s normal to feel excited, nervous, and unsure all at once.
As Kyla shares, success as a new grad OT starts with the right mindset:
- Be flexible and open-minded
- Accept that you won’t know everything, and that’s okay
- Give yourself grace as you learn
- Slow down when needed and focus on progress, not perfection
This year is about becoming a sponge — absorbing knowledge from mentors, peers, and every patient interaction.
You Don’t Have to Figure It Out Alone
Starting your OT career comes with questions and AMN is here to help. From licensing to mentorship to career guidance, we support you every step of the way.
Learn About AMN’s New Grad Therapy Program
Common Settings for New Grad Occupational Therapists
One of the best parts of being a new grad OT is the variety of settings available to you.
New grads often start in:
- Schools
- Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs)
- Hospitals
- Acute Care
- Inpatient Rehab
- Outpatient clinics
- Pediatrics
Many new grads find success in school-based roles or SNFs, where there is often additional on-site support — a huge benefit during your first year.
And remember: the settings you worked in during clinicals don’t define your entire career.
Your OT Career Can Grow and Evolve
Your first role is just the beginning. With access to multiple settings nationwide, AMN helps you explore what you enjoy and pivot when you’re ready.
The Power of Mentorship for New Grad OTs
Mentorship is pivotal in a new grad OT’s success.
Having an experienced occupational therapist to:
- Bounce ideas off of
- Ask treatment questions
- Talk through unfamiliar settings
- Feel supported when things feel overwhelming can make all the difference in your confidence and growth.
With AMN, new grad OTs receive:
- A dedicated OT mentor with multi-setting experience
- Ongoing virtual support through your first contracts
- Access to a broader clinical support team while on assignment
Building Healthy Habits & Work-Life Balance Early
Your first year is demanding, which is why routines and boundaries matter.
Kyla’s advice for new grads:
- Keep doing what supports your well-being (movement, hobbies, rest)
- Meal prep, plan your weeks, and establish routines
- Take breaks when needed
- Set boundaries early to avoid burnout
Taking care of yourself is essential to long-term success as an OT.
Support You Receive as a New Grad OT with AMN
✔ Dedicated OT mentor
✔ Specialized Allied recruiter
✔ Clinical support team with OT experience
✔ Licensing & credentialing assistance
✔ Nationwide assignments across multiple settings
✔ Ongoing support throughout your contract
Your Hot Tip as a New Grad OT: Interview Them, Too
As you begin interviewing, remember: Facilities are interviewing you, and you should interview them.
Ask about:
- Patient caseloads
- Productivity expectations
- Schedules and flexibility
- Weekend requirements
- Support available on site
Finding the right fit matters just as much as landing the role.
Your OT Career Is Just Beginning
Your first year as a new grad occupational therapist is about growth, discovery, and building confidence — and AMN is here to support every step.
When you’re ready to start your journey, we’re ready to help.
