Help! I am trying to decide on which to pursue as a career-Occupational therapy or being a nurse practitioner

Question

I know that both careers are good, but I just can't decide on one. They both seem equally as a helping career. I would do both but that seems like a lot of time and money invested when I will probably end up only doing one of them anyway. Are there any disadvantages/advantages to one of the careers over the other, do one pay more, have more job availability? I like OT because I would not have to deal with blood, needles, etc. but I like Nursing because it seems like it has more direct care with patients, but it is also more fast-paced and stressful than OT. Feedback would be appreciated-NO STUPID answers.

Answer 1

Elk is incorrect about the path to nurse practitioner.

All Nurse Practitioners in the US, regardless of specialty, are currently graduates of a Master of Science in Nursing Program.

Most people entering this program have completed the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree and received their license as an RN after passing the NCLEX-RN exam. And most have finished 1 or more years of clinical experience.

There are RN to MSN bridge programs for ADN graduates who have received an associates degree, but they take the BSN course work along with the MSN coursework in the bridge program.

An associates degree in nursing at most schools in the US has prerequisite and corequisite classes which are taken in addition to the nursing classes. While this used to be commonly done in a 2 year period, this the commonly heard 2 yr RN; most schools now require the students to have completed the prerequisites prior to admission to the program. This allows the program to assess the students ability to perform taking college level course work and their grades, and helps in deciding which are the best candidates as trhere are several applicants for most programs. As a result the ADN RN programs take around 3 years to complete.

The BSN takes 4 years to complete, though the cost is slightly higher, as it is taught at state college or university, instead of a local community or junior college. There are some other advantages to the BSN education, but both the ADN and BSN prepare an RN for an entry level position.

However, if a person wants to be a nurse practitioner, they will waste time in the movement through the ADN to BSN to MSN transitions.

Dependent on the specialty there is not a significant amount of blood or needles involved with the profession of the Nurse Practitioner. There will be some use of these during the time in school to be an RN.

Nurse Practitioners work performing the same office tasks as the counterpart physicians in the same roles. Pediatric Nurse Practitioner job is similar to a pediatrician, Family Nurse Practitioner job is similar to a Family practice physician etc.

The job of a nurse practitioner is specific to their specialty, but in general here is an overview of the job:Administer prescribed medications and treatments in accordance with approved nursing techniques. Observe and evaluate patient, and record condition and reaction to drugs, treatments, and significant incidents. Evaluate the outcome of patient care. Perform physical examinations and preventive health measures within prescribed guidelines. Requires RN license, successful completion of an approved nurse practitioner program, and have current approval by the Board of Nursing.: Prescribe or recommends drugs or other forms of treatment such as physical therapy, inhalation therapy, or related therapeutic procedures. Arrange referrals, consultations, therapeutic services, and confer with other specialist on course of care and treatment. Where state law permits, may engage in independent practice. May direct nursing care through nursing staff. May refer patients to other health care providers for consultation or to specialized health resources for treatment.

The advantages in the differences of the professions, as an NP you have a diagnostic challenge, you decide a treatment regimen and you have a significant amount of patient interaction.

The salary in the US rages from around $70,000 a year to over $200,000 a year.

OTs have similar advantages, though the patients generally are diagnosed and come to them with a request for rehabilitation. They will evaluate and develop a rehabilitation plan.

There is as much or more likelihood of seeing blood as an OT. As they work in rehabilitation, a primary focus is often wound care, and care of healing limbs.

The edication requires a bachelors degree with majors in biology, kinesiology, psychology, sociology, anthropology, liberal arts, and/or anatomy. It is important that you contact the educational programs to which you are interested in applying and make sure you have taken the necessary prerequisites for admission into their programs.

A masters or doctorate in Occupational Therapy is then received dependent on the school and program attended.

The job description from eDOT is as follows:

Plans and conducts occupational therapy program to facilitate development and rehabilitation of mentally, physically, or emotionally disabled. Program involve activities, such as manual arts and crafts, practice in functional, prevocational, vocational, and homemaking skills, activities of daily living, and participation in sensorimotor, educational, recreational, and social activities, designed to help patients or disabled people develop or regain physical or mental functioning or adjust to disabilities. Requires a four-year degree in the field of health sciences.: Selects constructive activities suited to individual's physical capacity, intelligence level, and interest, to increase independence, prepare individual for return to employment, assist in restoration of functions, and aid in adjustment to disability. Teaches individual skills and techniques required for participation in activities, and evaluates individual's progress. Designs and constructs special equipment for individual, and suggests adaptation of individual's work-living environment. Requisitions supplies and equipment. Lays out materials for individual's use, and cleans and repairs tools at end of sessions.

The salary range in the US is from approximately $45,000 to over $100,000 with a national average in 2006 of $53,000.

Which ever you choose, both fields will increase by 25-30 percent in the next 10 years and the salaries will increase. Additionally, and more importantly, you will have a chance to help people.

Answer 2

A nurse practitioner pays much more than an OT professional, but NP is MUCH more school. If blood and needles bothers you though you would probably not want to go into nursing at all, since its full of that. To be an NP you would get an AAS in nursing, take the RN exam, then work your way up through the degrees from there. I am pursuing my AAS right now and it is really difficult.

Answer 3

OT is all about treating clients directly. If that's the only positive aspect of nursing you can come up with, then OT is the better choice for you. Most schools with OT programs probably also have nursing, so you could always switch majors if you find that you don't like it.

I just want to add to/correct what the previous poster said: OTs entering the profession are required to earn a Master's Degree. Not all programs require a major or concentration. If you do have one, there are many more options than he listed. I could minor in anything that is offered by my school.

Answer 4

A nurse its cooler

Answer 5

http://www.cejkasearch.com/resources/careerdevelopment/look_beyond_money.htm