Occupational Therapy vs. DD nursing

[SarahLovesNovember, BSN, RN]

Hi Everyone! I am so glad that I found this thread. I have a struggle choosing between occupational therapy and DD nursing. I really want to have an integrated involvement with patients and truly make a difference in their lives. I've been looking at privately owned DD facilities that have school as well as residential facilities, and it seems that the occupational therapists have a more hands on approach with the children. Is this the case? Which one would be more rewarding, though I know they both really are. Thanks!!

[psychtech1]

Hi Everyone! I am so glad that I found this thread. I have a struggle choosing between occupational therapy and DD nursing. I really want to have an integrated involvement with patients and truly make a difference in their lives. I've been looking at privately owned DD facilities that have school as well as residential facilities, and it seems that the occupational therapists have a more hands on approach with the children. Is this the case? Which one would be more rewarding, though I know they both really are. Thanks!!

Hi,

It has been my experience that OT's generally have more hands on with patients/clients. In the facilities and group homes I have worked in, RN's were busy with med. administration, paperwork, documentation, doc orders etc., though I do imagine that an RN can have as much hands on involvment as they choose. I currently work on an inpatient unit for DD adults and we have one nurse who is extremely involved, but then our unit is only 11 beds. I think it can be what you make of it to some extent.

Pepper