Finding the Right Path

from December 2022 The Pulse

Charting Her Own Course

Story by Eric Baker

Nursing school isn’t for everyone, and Jessie Jo Cheevers, busy mom of three, knew early on that it wasn’t right for her.

“I had just finished up my Associate’s degree and I was torn as to what I wanted to do. I considered nursing, maybe even pre-med, but after taking several classes I decided it was not for me.”

While thinking about her options, she came across occupational therapy. She grew up with a friend who had cerebral palsy and she visited with him about his experience going through occupational therapy. This piqued her interest, so Jessie decided to visit some nursing homes and get permission to job shadow their OTs.

She talked with her friend some more.

“The world could be your oyster. You could do anything,” he said. “Pediatrics, geriatrics, mental health…you name it.”

Jessie applied to the Occupational Therapy Assistant program at Ozarks Technical Community College and completed the program. Within a month, she accepted her first job as a certified occupational therapy assistant (COTA) in Webb City, MO.

While there she found herself moved into the director position. “It was good in the sense that it made me learn the ropes quicker, “Jessie admitted,”and it also gave me the confidence to look for a job closer to home.”

She eventually took at position at Maranatha Village in Springfield, MO. While there she helped open a new skill department with their Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRC). This included creating a whole new gym area for patients.

Jessie soon was offered a regional position whereby she was overseeing five nursing homes in the area, working with budgeting and scheduling. While in this position she received her nursing home administrator’s license. However, even though she enjoyed the challenges of the position, she knew it wasn’t what she wanted to be doing.

“I was kind of getting bored. I love to learn. Being a COTA was great, having my administrator’s license was great, but becoming an OT opens so many more opportunities. All those things pushed me into going to grad school to get my Master's in Occupational Therapy.”

It was huge move for Jessie’s family…literally. They decided to downsize by selling their home and thereby becoming debt-free. “We went from a 3,500 square foot home to a 950 square foot apartment,” she said. “I still worked full time during OT school so we didn’t have to worry about anything.”

Jessie doesn’t regret it at all. She now has a successful career at Jordan Valley Community Health in Springfield and has big plans for her future, some still percolating in the back of her

Jessie and her husband, Colt. Below, the family celebrates with a win.

mind. Her family built a bigger house to meet their needs, and her husband is enjoying his hobby as a dirt track racer.

“Cox College was a great experience. They offer a fantastic school/life balance. The faculty are amazing and become like your second family. Too many programs leave students feeling like a lone ranger, but my faculty and cohort were there for me. And the hands-on interactive training from people who actually have done this in real life was amazing.”

The future is bright and Jessie looks forward to where it will take her next.

Are You a COTA Thinking about Bridging to OT?

Cox College MSOT Program is designed to be a bridge option for those who are certified OT Assistants and/ or those who are transitioning from an associate's or bachelor's in another healthcare field. The program also accommodates traditional track students as well as graduates who are considering transitioning to occupational therapy from other fields where they already had their graduate degree. To find out more, contact admissions@coxcollege.edu.

Clinical Skills and Simulation Center Update by Carol Francka, MSN, BSN, RN

As a part of the CARES Act funding, the U.S. Department of Commerce, Econonmic Development Administration (EDA) awarded the College $1.9 million in funding to benefit future health care professionals. That money was used to renovate the approximately 5,000 square foot Simulation Center. Those renovations were completed earlier this year.

This summer the Simulation Center, Skills Center, and Virtual Hospital became the Clinical Skills and Simulation Center.

In October, The Center was awarded a grant from the Missouri State Board of Nursing with the ultimate goal of promoting workforce development. Cox College students will benefit from an immersive experience designed to enhance situational realism and skills development. Video streaming technology combined with faculty facilitation will help build student confidence and understanding of patient care. The project is set to launch Spring 2023.