RN, NP, OT, or PA?

[medapop, BSN, RN]

I'm going to be a sophomore in college next semester and I can't decide between becoming a registered nurse, nurse practitioner, occupational therapist, or physician assistant. I'm a very organized person and I want a career where I feel like I'm actually making a difference and accomplishing something. I also would like a job where I'm kept busy and never just sitting there with nothing to do. I don't know which one would be the best for me out of the four. Any advice would be great!

[WKShadowNP, DNP, APRN]

Ok. I suspect this is a loaded question but here is my take:

All four would meet your requirements of "making a difference, accomplishing something," and "never sitting there with nothing to do."

To be an NP you have to be an RN first.

PT requires different entry level education than any of the other three,

PA requires a basic BS, if I understand that correctly.

What is your current course of study and trajectory towards degree completion. Before deciding where you want to go you need to research what is required to do those things, evaluate where you are in the process towards any, and what direction would be the most desirable or feasible for you.

[WKShadowNP, DNP, APRN]

On further inspection of your posting history, I see you have been questioning your career choice for some time now. Do you still feel queasy about seeing naked males, poop, or vomit (as referenced in your first thread and post)?

You'll likely encounter that in all of those fields, although less likely in advanced practice, but not impossible. Some OT/PT do wound care and just because you may not have to take care of it, doesn't mean a patient won't have an episode of incontinence, nausea, or vomiting.

You have a desire to help people, but really that's such a superficial motivation that you need to apply a higher level of thinking to what you want. Much should have changed since you were a sophomore in high school (which is when you stated you first desired nursing/healthcare). As a sophomore in college you need to focus more on the major that you can attain with where you are now. Or start over.

We can't decide for you, but I hope you are reading these posts with an open mind. Honestly, maybe I'm unique, but at 19 I knew soundly what I was aiming for and how to go about it, plus I was married and negotiating adult life half-way successfully.

BUT, there are things that would have made it easier.

Can you identify a more substantive motivation than "I want to help people"?

Help people how. What people do you want to help? Help with what?