Should I become an RN or OT?

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I'm currently an undecided freshman in college and I need to decide on a major before February. I'm stuck between becoming an occupational therapist or a registered nurse. Some things I like about an RN is that you make a difference in someone's life, you only work 3 days a week, and the job isn't boring since you're always doing something. Some things that worry me about becoming a nurse is that I will have to deal with some gross things such as blood, vomit, poop, and giving people baths. I also worry about the job being too stressful and too much work. I do feel like it would be very rewarding however. Some things that I like about becoming an occupational therapist is that the salary is high, it doesn't seem as stressful as nursing, and you help people. Some things I don't like is that I've heard that the job can be boring and I feel as if you're not making as big as a difference as a nurse would in someone's life. I just can't decide between the two careers. If anyone could give me some advice on which one to pick it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

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Less flexibility and job opportunities being an OT but I would do OT (probably PT in my case) over nursing.

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Specializes in Critical care.

While an OT may not do life saving work, their work should def. not be discounted as it is extremely important for the patient's quality of life. Same for PT. A family friend is a retired OT who worked with children- she helped with fine motor skills needed for eating, dressing, writing, etc. You really need to contact a local hospital ASAP and see if it is possible for you to shadow both an RN and OT for several days each to help you make your decision. Ultimately it is you who must decide and nobody can made that decision for you.

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FWIW, the OTs I've known over the years have been much happier (more satisfied) being OTs than the nurses I've known have been happy about being nurses.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

OTs generally start at higher salaries and are held in higher regard by the multidisciplinary team than their floor RN counterparts.

However, OT requires a master's degree for entry, whereas nursing can be entered relatively quickly with a diploma or associate degree.

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Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.

Given to opportunity to do it over again I'd definitely go with OT. My wife is a PT and I'd pick OT over that too.

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Specializes in public health, women's health, reproductive health.

My advice is to go for being an OT. The reasons are many but the main one is the OTs I have known are happier at work and seem to rate their quality of life higher. The only thing I can say for nursing is it is a broad field with varied opportunities in a whole bunch of settings.

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Specializes in ICU.

Definitely OT.

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Specializes in retired LTC.

I guess all the votes have been cast.

And the winner was ...

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