Leaving Occupational Therapy for Nursing?

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Hello,

I have been a pediatric occupational therapist for 15 years and I'm thinking of making the switch to nursing because I feel like I would be making more of a difference for patients. Do you nurses out there think this is a good change? I really love working with kids and helping them. Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you.

I'd assume you would also be taking a significant pay cut as a new grad RN compared to an OT with 15 years experience. And your hours will probably be worse. And honestly you're making a huge difference in patients lives.. I think OTs are more respected by patients in the hospital setting. From what I've seen.

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.
Consider also that as an OT, you have the luxury of working with a single patient at a time. As an RN, you seldom do.

As an OT, your schedule is fairly predictable, as an RN that is seldom the case- esp. as a new RN.

Lifestyle-wise, I would stay an RN if I were in your position. But you must do what is right for YOU.

Too late to edit: I meant to say if I were an OT in your position........

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Specializes in Short Term/Skilled.

Just wanted to mention that I worked with a nurse who switched from OT. She wasn't sorry, nursing suited her and she was much happier.

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Doesn't OT make more than a RN?

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Specializes in allergy and asthma, urgent care.

I would say stay as an OT. The working conditions and hours make for a more sane lifestyle, and you make a HUGE difference in patients' lives. As others have said, you get to work one on one with patients, which is rare in nursing. I sometimes wish I had studied OT/PT instead of nursing, but having said that, I do love what I do.

Best of luck with your decision.

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Specializes in Critical Care.

Just be aware nursing is very stressful, most places short staff, you are juggling many patients and are responsible for everyone and everything, whereas the job you have now you see patients one at a time, on a schedule, you have a defined job. Nursing may feel like chaos to you. So many people go into nursing to help others and then find themselves overwhelmed and disappointed with the reality of nursing. Personally I wouldn't recommend it. Why not volunteer where you can make a personal difference and keep your day job! I wish I could have a defined job where I could say it's not my job when one of the myriad support staff doesn't do their job! If only!

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RN and OT both have to deal with stifling paperwork and mediocre pay, but on top of that RNs also have to deal with working nights, more bodily fluids and ADL grunt-work, and multiple patients at a time (usually a ridiculous number of patients because corporations are greedy and don't want to staff properly). RNs are also the punching bag that every other department dumps on just because they can, whereas PT and OT get treated with a bit more respect as professionals.

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Thank you for your responses everyone

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Honestly, I've been an OT for one year within the hospital setting. I realize I want to know more about diagnoses and medication management. This is really driving me to pursue nursing.

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Thanks. This def gives me hope. Productivity as a therapist can easily suck the fun out of therapy. Many people don't know that side of our profession.

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