tencents

i just received my acceptance for this fall. However, b/c i'm out of state i didn't get it until today!!!! The problem is i missed the deadline to accept. I really hope i didn't miss my chance. If so, i do have a back up plan. Maybe one of you will get my spot :)

I am also in a similar situtation, but w/a more personal problem. I was accepted into a ADN program in my mom's home state. I would have FREE tuition and books in this state only. However, I had previously applied to a Occupational Therapy M.S. program. At this point I could really go either way. However, I did just move back to my home town, and would have to turn right around and do it all over again The personal issue, my mom has Stage IV Ovarian Cancer. She is currently in remission, but has been through chemo and various surgeries for almost 3 years. I really want to spend as much time w/her as I can and still make the right choice for my future career. Going to school in Alabama, her home state, would seem like the best choice (free school, living near her, etc.) . But I don't want to get into another program and not use it/like it.... Any advice or words of wisdom would be appreciated! P.S. cost of grad school = 15,000/yr. for 2.5 years !

I tried to get accepted last Spring. I was not, b/c what they DON'T tell you is that the add points for chemistry, micro., etc. So, eventhough I've taken A&P I & II, and have a B.S. with all the prereqs. I think I only got 146, or around there. My advise, sit down w/advisor before you apply, so there's no surprises. Also, if you don't make at least 95 or more on Compass test, retake it. I got a 96 and thought I was golden.

Gina Gina, I understand where you're coming from. You can get a job much quicker in nursing. But why is it then, that 5 of the nurses in my family have said stay away? The profession isn't what it use to be (managed health care) and I hate seeing how beat up my mom and aunts are. Not getting the respect they deserve, overworked, etc. etc. I'm sure it's not like that everywhere, but it seems that they way it is more often times then not. Personally, I would rather have a career where you don't have to fight so hard to be respected. And yes, OT jobs are harder to come by, there are JUST as important. It is good to have nurses in the family, esp. when you have someone in the hospital. My mom was recently in a hospital in Columbus, GA and was left alone for 2 hours after a major surgery! They finally took vitals when she was back in her room. Thank goodness my aunt got there when she did!

Hi, I've also been in a similar situation. I'm going for my second degree and will be starting my Master's in OT this fall. I come from a family full of RN's, so I know a little of both sides. I thought about nursing off and on since high school. However, my mom and aunts discouraged me (as they are all unhappy nurses). Long hours, poor administration that doesn't give a rats butt about them...just a warm body to fill a spot. 1. There are SO many differences. But basically nurses are directly in charge of the patient's medical issues. OT's deal in rehabilitation. www.aota.org is a great OT site to give you a better idea of what they do. 2. The job market for OT's can be limited, IF you're in a rural area. But in my neck of the woods (rochester, ny) there are in HIGH demand. Settings you can work include (but are certainly not limited to) hospitals, nursing homes, schools, home-based care for early intervention of children with disabilities.... With that said, there are many more jobs for nurses because there are so many directions you can go. 3. I would say nursing, b/c you can work 3, 12hr shifts and be done for the week, if you choose. But if you work in a school, there's the benefit of the school calendar! I hope this has helped. Good luck w/your decision, I KNOW how difficult and confusing it can be.

OTR is a Occupational Therapist Registered. OTA's is completed with an Associated degree, alot of community colleges offer this. I'm not sure if there's a difference between aide/assist., but OTA's do have to take a certification test. OT's and nurses are definetly not the same. Nurses work directly with the medical aspect of patients recovery. OT's come in for rehabilitation. aspect. For example, if someone is in an accident and loses function or control over their arm or hands OT's assist in regaining this. It is essential the profession for improving the daily skills of living (i.e. dressing, eating, driving)... Some other areas OT's work are in pediatrics, geriatrics, low vision therapy, hand therapy, sensory integration....SO many areas. www.aota.org is a great site to help you get an idea of the profession.

I've asked everyone that I know, so I figured maybe I should try to get some advice the nursing community. Here's my issue...long background needed (i think)... I'm almost 27 yrs. old have a B.S. in Special Ed., but decided I didn't want to be a teacher. Then I fell in love w/OT through my work at a school for kids with DD. I've also thought about nursing since before my first go round at college. However, the 5 aunts and my mom said stay away! So, I started taking prereq's. for an OT master's program in NY, then found out that my step-dad (a Vietnam Vet) is now eligible for a ed. benefit...FREE TUITION, but only in the state of Alabama...easy choice right? Find a school in AL for OT, well not exactly.... I didn't get into the school. And there's only 1 other program in the state... So, I decided I would bite the bullet and take out more loans for school I'm getting ready to move back to NY, go into more student loan debt (the program is 8 semesters). I applied to a A.S. program in AL (which was kind of my back up plan) and won't find out until after I'm back in NY. I don't really have a preference in either...I have more hands on experience working w/OT's and truly fasinated and passionate about the profession. Here's the curve ball. My mom has Stage IV Ovarian cancer and is on her 3rd round of chemo. She lives in AL. Being close to her is my priority, but I don't know if nursing is for me. Of course my mom says she wants me to do what I feel is the right path for me. Please any words of wisdom, advice, etc. would be greatly appreciated.

OT school can be expensive...esp. a private master's degree, which is what I've chosen. PT's & OT's are not the same. OT's focus mostly on rehab. in activities of daily living (driving a car, washing hair, dressing self,etc. ). PT's rehabl. just the physical (to put it very simply). After you finish w/OT school, most people end up specializing in an area (hand therapy, low vision, etc.). This is where the extra schooling helps....b/c extra $ usually comes with it. For me, I know that most nurses are run thin...which is why the 5 nurses in my family i've suggested OT rather than RN. It's true that in some areas of the country OT jobs are not plentiful. But personally, I'd rather have a career where I know I won't be overworked and underpaid (which has to change for nurses!).

You should ask a hospital PT....that would answer it for you.

Your last post was quite a while ago. But I just wanted to let you know that I completely understand. I also have a B.S. (special education). I started taking pre-reqs. last year...only to denied at a Community college. So, I did some more research and soul-searching and stumbled on Occupational Therapy. There are Master's level programs (which, since this year will be the required level of education to be certified) that are for people w/B.S./B.A. degrees. After working at a school for students with developmental disabilities and watching the OTR's work....i was inspired. They have a lot more fun that nursing! If kids aren't your thing...there's SO many options in the field.

My mother has been a nurse for over 25 years...this debate and so called "push" to do away with ADN was going on when she went to nursing school in the early 80s. I understand the thinking of most people, that having a nurse w/BSN somehow means that he/she is better equiped than a ADN. I don't agree with this at all. Especially with the nursing shortage, which will only increase with babyboomers retiring and needing more medical assitance. My step-sister is graduating soon w/her BSN, after working as a RN for a few years. They only thing she learned was how to do paperwork...this is coming from her! Her clinicals were worthless as far as learning new information, experiences, etc. The wait lists for BSN & ADN programs as insane, and once you are accepted...2 year programs more times than not, turn into 2.5 or 3 years. My point being here....nurses are needed and will continue to be needed. The best experiences and learning takes place after nursing school...this is what the 5 nurses in my family have said...so I tend to take their word for it. Additional time in an undergrad DO NOT make a better nurse.

I have debated over OT or nursing for the last 2 years. I finally decided to go w/OT. I have a B.S. in special ed. and found a Master's program in Buffalo, NY at D'Youville college that takes about 2 years. They just changed the regulations...and now all OTR's will have to have a M.S. degree. Pay obviously depends on where you go. School jobs pay less, but you have a better schedule. But the median staring pay is 40-50K. Most of the OT's I know LOVE their jobs. If you're not into all the schooling...there's OT assistants (OTA's). Basically they carry out the plans and therapy that OTR's write. They make less, at a median of about 30K. The demand for OTRs isn't as bad as in nursing...so, you may have to look a little longer for a job. However, all of the OT's I've met in the private school for students w/developmental disabilities have had no problem finding work right out of school. Also, many have moved from the school and work for early interventions agencies.