Occupational Therapy vs BSN (eventually NP?)

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Hey guys :)

So I am currently a freshman at Villanova university, I took all pre req and science classes for any health care major and am finishing this year with above a 3.5

I absolutely want to work with children but can't decide on my career path.

If if I was a nurse, I would only be happy in pediatrics, labor and delivery, and NICU. I want to end up in the nicu eventually but know this is competitive. This is my dream job and it seems like a few new grads from nova got into nicu right away according to the statistics on the webpage. I am just terrified of not being able to fine ANY nursing job as a new nurse! 99% of the class of 2014 is working now but still... Nursing appeals to me because it is so exciting and I can move up to get my MSN. I am just nervous that I would only be happy in a few specialties. Where I am from, average RN salary is $78,000 and MSN salary is $115,000. These are average and obviously wouldn't make this starting out.

As an OT, I would only want to work in pediatrics. My dream would be to get in the nicu, but I know that it is super competitive. OT appeals to me because it is working with kids and low stress compared to nursing, and it is very easy to find a job as a new grad. I am just worried that I would get bored as I'm pretty type A and like excitment. In my area the average Ot salary is $89,000 so more than an RN but less than an NP.

This summer, I can either choose a 5 year masters program with Thomas Jefferson for OT, or try and transfer in to Villanova nursing school and get my BSN. This would be better because I have to pay for a year less of college, so I save a lot of money especially since I am on financial aid here so it is much cheaper than jefferson. I also want to work part time when I have kids if that matters. HELP- WHICH DO I CHOOSE?! Thank you I'm so confused.

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Bump! Please help

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Specializes in Cardiac, Home Health, Primary Care.

If you read much in these boards there are soooooo many people going into nursing that some new grads are having issues finding jobs. It depends on area, though, as you seem aware of.

Since you are on the fence check around and see if you can shadow a nurse and shadow an OT. You seem to understand the difference in stress level so maybe just getting a feel for both with shadowing would help. You might could get in touch with people from both areas at a development daycare in your area. I'm not convinced you could shadow in a NICU with babies with compromised immunity.

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Thank you!!!!! I actually have shadowed OT for about 30 hours and I also shadowed a Nicu nurse. OT seemed very low stress but I'm worried I would be bored. I LOVED Nicu nursing.. But it didn't seem all that stressful the 8 hours I was there. There was a lot of sitting around, waiting for one of the three babies to wake up my nurse had. It was at Morristown medical center, which is a really good Nicu too.

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For what it's worth, the OTs I've known over the years have been happier about being OTs than most of the nurses I've known have been about being nurses.

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Hi may I suggest that if nicu is what you love and have passion for it's worth waiting for then!

Because as I read your post and replies your enthusiasm appeared more twd the nursing.

I live in NJ and have been reading the job availability for OT not as good an outcome anymore.

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