Occupational therapy vs nursing

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Hi everyone,

Okey i am going to post this here because i figured i could get more responses from you guys. one of my friends is being convinced to change from getting into nursing to pursuing OT instead. she figures she will still be working with patients albeit at a different level. a school in our area is expanding their OT program and are currently recruiting for fall 09. it is going to be a 28 month stint-6 months of which are field experience- she is comparing the hours-8 to 5 versus the differing nursing schedules.

So what do you guys think. Do OTs make more than nurses as she is being told? is the program more difficult-she was told her pre-nursing classes will transfer in and she will graduate with an MS specializing in OT. Any input will be appreciated.:typing

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Hi everyone,

Okey i am going to post this here because i figured i could get more responses from you guys. one of my friends is being convinced to change from getting into nursing to pursuing OT instead. she figures she will still be working with patients albeit at a different level. a school in our area is expanding their OT program and are currently recruiting for fall 09. it is going to be a 28 month stint-6 months of which are field experience- she is comparing the hours-8 to 5 versus the differing nursing schedules.

So what do you guys think. Do OTs make more than nurses as she is being told? is the program more difficult-she was told her pre-nursing classes will transfer in and she will graduate with an MS specializing in OT. Any input will be appreciated.:typing

OT is a Masters entry into practice. They make ALOT more $$ than nurses and have a far better quality of life. They are taught about starting their own business, and many of them do. If i had to do it over, I would go that route over nursing in a heartbeat.

Lindarn, RN, BSN, CCRN

Spokane, Washington

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OT is a field that still allows you to provide direct patient care, but the working conditions are much better than nursing. As you already mentioned, the hours are better as well. As far as the money is concerned, I don't know that OTs make a lot more than RNs. However, as the educational levels required have increased for OT, so have the salaries and I believe that it is definitely on the rise.

Both careers have a lot of variety, although nursing probably gives the most options in that regard. Still, if I had to choose again, I would choose OT or PT over nursing.

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I'm not a nurse, but I'll offer my :twocents: anyway.

I've been working my butt off to finish pre-req's for a nursing program, but have decided to use them to apply to a physical therapy program instead.

My reasons are few, but very important. First and foremost, I have a young daughter to consider and, frankly, I just DON'T want to struggle to live the nurses' lifestyle and be a successful parent. I NEED to be there for my family. They come first. PT offers the hours I need; 8-5 M-F, no nights, holidays, or weekends. I know that there are clinic RN positions and such that offer better hours and more flexibility, but in my area they are very hard to come by and require a few years of experience. I just don't want to be stuck in a hospital job (something I know is NOT for me) while waiting for a job that suits me. I know that there are some DEDICATED nurses and mothers on this board who somehow make it all work; balancing a happy family life and successful career. I give them kudos for making it work, but it's definitely not for everyone.

Anyway, besides hours, I really like the idea of therapist positions because it is one on one direct care and I like the prospect of having an ongoing relationship with patients. And, at least in my area OTs and PT get paid much more than RNs. I'm starting in a PTA program (hopefully) and they make about as much as an RN.

As for the program being more difficult, not sure on that. Good luck in whatever you decide.

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Specializes in Pediatrics (Burn ICU, CVICU).

I think OT is a great field and if it is something that truly interests her, she should go for it. I know pay among disciplines vary from place to place, around here, an OT doesn't make that much more than an RN, especially as senority progresses.

I think each career path has pro's and con's, but I think nursing gives you more choices and pathways to follow. Nursing can be whatever you want it to be schedule wise, as not everything requires hospital shift work (even though I love the flexibility of that). With nursing, your opportunities are endless and you should never be bored.

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Nursing can be whatever you want it to be schedule wise, as not everything requires hospital shift work (even though I love the flexibility of that).

Really? Could you elaborate on that? I volunteer on the floors at our regional hospital and have the opportunity to meet a lot of staff nurses. It seems that the hours are not flexible and they seem to be on rotating shifts. Is that the norm, or are there hospitals that offer more flexibility?

Thanks.

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Specializes in Day program consultant DD/MR.

The OT I work with is making $50 plus and hr and sets her own hours. The former OT that was working with my company told me starting pay for OT is $35-$38 or so an hour.

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The OT I work with is making $50 plus and hr and sets her own hours. The former OT that was working with my company told me starting pay for OT is $35-$38 or so an hour.

Thanks for the responses guys. i will share the infor with her and i will encourage her to do more research on her own. i think she is setting up an appt with an advisor at the school for more infor.

she is a great lady and really good with people but is worried about the burn out in nursing and is looking for options in the healthcare field. she would be great in either from what i know.

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Specializes in Pediatrics (Burn ICU, CVICU).
Really? Could you elaborate on that? I volunteer on the floors at our regional hospital and have the opportunity to meet a lot of staff nurses. It seems that the hours are not flexible and they seem to be on rotating shifts. Is that the norm, or are there hospitals that offer more flexibility?

Thanks.

I do not have a rotating shift, and never have since graduating. I work 7a-7p M, T, W of each week. If I want to work extra I can or I can use my time for myself, MD appts, etc. If I need off a certain day, my employer is more than willing to let me trade for a day where I may be more needed.

For those who work ZB, they can pick and choose their shifts and days, which offers even more flexibility.

Coming from the corp. world, this schedule is the most flexible I could imagine.

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I think that OT might pay slightly more, but therapy in general is subject to a lot of criticism. Some professions do not see eye-to-eye with therapy (PT and/or OT) and either don't believe it to be useful or see it as a waste of money. I know this because I am in school for OT and am considering switching to an accelerated BSN program (possibly). If I had known there was this much disrespect I would have never taken this route.

I believe that a lot of this stems from the roots of OT, it started out many years ago in psychiatric settings, providing "therapeutic activities that fit ones occupation in life" --hence the name Occupational Therapy. So if you were say, a typist before you became sick or injured, there would be a lot of activities the OT would provide that would involve finger movements and and arm motions and such (just a quick example). Today there are recreational therapists who can basically do the same job for less pay and PT's cover basically the whole physical rehab aspect of things (in most clinics), so OT can be limited at times. Oh, not to mention that you will repeatedly explain to people what OT is and what you do in particular settings, only to have to do it over everyday for other people, it gets old.

There are some pros though, I will admit that in this economy there are still OT jobs available (even for new grads). Also, the schedule is basically M-F 9-5, maybe some weekends. The pay can be really good, but I hear more and more that starting wages are dropping and raises are coming fewer and farther between for seasoned therapists. You will deal with bathing/dressing/ toileting, but mostly in acute settings, home care, and skilled nursing facilities. Clinics rarely- if ever deal with that sort of thing. Hope my ranting helped!!

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This is an interesting thread.

I am a pre-nursing student, and I was originally torn between nursing and Occupational Therapy Assisting. I decided to go for nursing and eventually my BSN, because if OT still is something I want to do I can go on to a masters in OT, but if nursing was something I wanted to instead it would be harder to go back and start over.

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Soyrizo, actually it wouldn't be any harder to start in OT and jump to RN. Believe me, I have looked into this for a few months now. There are quite a few colleges that offer what are called "accelerated BSN or RN programs", these are programs designed for people who already hold a degree in another field (OT, RT, PT, SLP, any other degree). Usually the accelerated programs are 1 year to 1 year and 6 months long. which is way faster than doing the straight ADN or BSN programs. Although there is no sense in going into a field you think you might want to switch out of later on, most people go into a field thinking it is great only to come out thinking otherwise. Which is somewhat how my experience is going at this point, but hopefully my next fieldwork or "clinical" experience will change my mind and I won't have to go through any more grueling schoolwork again.

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