I'm currently working on the prerequisites to apply to be in the class entering in 2010. I'm thirtysomething and this would be a second degree for me in a different field (I majored in German and History at a seven sister's school).
I'm trying to decide between nursing or occupational therapy. My interests include gerontology, and with the aging population, I am hoping to have a specialty with continued demand. I currently work with helping older people re-home their accumulated "things" to prepare to move to smaller quarters. I am an entrepreneur and greatly appreciate the autonomy but know that it cannot last forever.
My Aunt has been a RN for many years, and I cannot tell you how many nursing homes she has worked in and how many times she has lost jobs do to business issues (lack of funds) at the "home" to pay for an RN.
Her wages have gone up and down over the years.
I've also gone through some extensive time being a patient and have seen Drs. many times treat nurses as if they don't have a clue, when they often know better what is going on. I've also read about burn out being a big problem.
I'm comparing it to Occupational Therapy as I am fascinated by helping people do what they want to do through the use of adaptive devices.
So, if you could start over, which would you pick? And why?
