I’m trying to decide between becoming an Occupational Therapist and an RN. I’m a freshman in college and I have to decide soon. It takes 5.5 years to become an Occupational Therapist and 4 years for an RN at my university. I get 2.5 years of college for free. Both have pros and cons and I just can’t decide. My GPA right now is a 3.52. I want a job that helps people and makes me feel like I’m actually making a difference. I’ve heard that being an OT can be boring and you have to have a lot of patience. RN’s have to deal with blood, vomit, etc. I’m considering shadowing both an RN and OT over the summer, but I would like to have some advice on which career I should choose. Thanks!
I would shadow both. I’ve been an occupational therapist for 30 years and it has never been boring. I’ve worked in psychiatry , home health, pediatrics, acute care, rehab and with geriatrics in skilled nursing, ALF and ILF settings. You will typically have more time for direct patient care as an occupational therapist.And FYI, occupational therapists deal with blood, vomit, feces, urine and sputum as well. In terms of patience, you do have to have patience with any healthcare career. I suggest that you really research roles and work conditions for both therapy and nursing careers. If you’re looking for a Monday - Friday day shift, off holidays and weekends kind of job, healthcare is not the profession for you. I say this because I can’t tell you how many students I’ve had that think healthcare is an easy way to make a good salary and have a limited idea of what a healthcare career entails.