OT vs RN

MN-Nurse, ASN, RN · Mar 16, 2012

OT/PT is extremely challenging and requires some special skillsets. They are often under similar demands when it comes to patient loads as nurses. (Too many patients, too little time, availability of equipment....)

I've seen far more OT/PT folks in tears than RNs.

gonzo83 · Mar 21, 2012

I've been a nurse for the past 5 years and I'm taking pre-reqs to get into OT school. I've been volunteering in a rehab department for the past year and I can tell you that all of the therapists are SO much happier with their jobs than pretty much 99% of the RN's I've ever worked with. You have a much more "normal" schedule and you get to focus your time with 1 patient at a time. You don't have these ridiculous expectations to care for 6-8 patients all at once with no nursing aids or a relief nurse to help you out. You run around like a crazy person on the floor as an RN. For a PT or an OT, if there are too many patients to see in one day, then they get seen the next day.... and you still get your lunch break. That DEFINITELY doesn't happen in nursing. I can't tell you how many times I've worked 12 hours (or even 14-16 hours) without a lunch break.

Just look through threads on allnurses about nurses leaving the profession and you'll read many more reasons why you should pick PT or OT over nursing.

Any students or current RNs out there who thought about OT/PT as well? My plan was to start a Master's Occupational Therapy program next fall, but I have had a change of heart and now I am thinking nursing would better suit me. I know they are very different careers. I worried that OT would become boring for me. Does anyone have any insight on this topic? Thanks!

Perpetual Student · Mar 21, 2012

OT vs. RN: An Unlimited Fight, available on Pay Per View for the low price of $19.99!

In the green trunks we've got Otis the occupational therapist. In the pink trunks we've got Nurse Nancy. The fight is on!

Otis swings a walker at Nancy, hitting her in the back! She just brushes it off, however, as nurses are used to back injuries! She darts forward with a B52 syringe and plunges it deep into his muscle, injecting the mix! Otis tackles Nancy, they wrestle for a bit. Wait, Otis is snoring! Nancy wins by knock out!