Just getting started in the healthcare world:Occupationul Therapy VS Nursing

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I just got a job working as a nursing assistant in a hospital. I am fresh to the hospital world & find it a bit overwhelming but am sure like any new experience I will get used to it, they hired me for a reason.

My Question to all is I am trying to decide whether I should go to OT school or Nursing school. I am trying to collect information on both to come to a decision. Does OT school have less sciences than RN school? ( I know it will have plenty of science but an wondering if it may be less than Nursing) How is the OT job outlook today? Is the day in the life of an OT as stressful as an RN( that depends on the individual of course). Anyway just some questions and food for thought. Any feedback is greatly appreciated :)

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I just got a job working as a nursing assistant in a hospital. I am fresh to the hospital world & find it a bit overwhelming but am sure like any new experience I will get used to it, they hired me for a reason.

My Question to all is I am trying to decide whether I should go to OT school or Nursing school. I am trying to collect information on both to come to a decision. Does OT school have less sciences than RN school? ( I know it will have plenty of science but an wondering if it may be less than Nursing) How is the OT job outlook today? Is the day in the life of an OT as stressful as an RN( that depends on the individual of course). Anyway just some questions and food for thought. Any feedback is greatly appreciated :)

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

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You need to look at program requirements for occupational therapy programs. If I recall correctly OT is a minimum of a MS degree for entry to practice. One can no longer be an OTR with a BS degree. I know kinesiology and A&P are required. For nursing statistics, nutrition, A&P, microbiology, psychology & sometimes pathophysiology are needed for nursing.

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It depends what you're like. I work with both in my job. OT is slower pace and nursing isn't generally. Nursing you work with many patients at once and nursing many patients at once.

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OT assistants have 2-3yr programs in my area and have more science classes so to speak. I believe that would be more comparable to an ADN as far as time of completion, course load, and clinical time. They take more anatomy, kinesiology and chemistry classes at colleges in my area. You can always look at your local colleges catalog and it should show courses required and time of completion.

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