Emily- there are so many great health care fields you can go into. I chose OT because it was a good match to my skills (highly observant, creative, scientific but also artistic). When it came to grad school (I graduated in 99 when OT's still had a BS degree) I chose to get an MPH based on working with so many adults who had chronic diseases, that the average OT intervention could not address. In retrospect, I should have applied to the MS/MPH program at Columbia to be able to increase my OT skills while working towards a degree in another field.
But do I have regrets?? Someone had mentioned the issues that cause burnout- administrative issues are big. I can not tell you how many times low-level administrative people have bothered me about the most inane issues. I actually have a homecare supervisor who does not have a degree who calls me when a note is late to tell me "I am getting a beatdown". I hear you big time about anti-intellectional stuff. I have relatives who are journalists (even Peabody and ASCAP award-winners), a father with a PhD and plenty of lawyers and CPA's. IN my spare time I do political and charity work and read mostly non-fiction books. Having colleagues and supervisors who are so unprofessional kills me!! It makes me feel like my work (which I love) is not important or valued. I have all the symptoms of burnout and depression. I have thought about starting a private practice and am currently looking into it, but know it will take some time to take off the ground and I am feeling so bad about my current 8-4 employment that waiting that long is not a good option. My peds skills were never as strong as with adults so I don't want to switch settings to a school. Anyone have any ideas? -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Emily L. Sent: Saturday, May 05, 2007 11:59 PM To: [email protected] Subject: [OTlist] Do you regret becoming an OT? Hello, I'm an undegraduate human biology major looking into going into some sort of health care. I have experience on the "other end" of OT (Cerebral Palsy) and like the patient-centered nature of OT. I'm looking into doing some observation hours with OTs this summer to get a better feel for the profession, but in the mean time, I'd like to know what you think of the profession. I've heard from some OTs who left the profession to become MDs, citing thw "anti-inlellectual" nature of OT, the fact that they felt like they could basically be replaced by a CNA, and the lack of respect. What do you think about these things? Idf you could do it again, would you stay an OT? Why or why not? Thanks, Emily --------------------------------- Ahhh...imagining that irresistible "new car" smell? Check outnew cars at Yahoo! Autos. -- Options? www.otnow.com/mailman/options/otlist_otnow.com Archive? www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] ************************************************************************ ************** Enroll in Boston University's post-professional Master of Science for OTs Online. Gain the skills and credentials to propel your career. www.otdegree.com/otn ************************************************************************ ************** -- Options? www.otnow.com/mailman/options/otlist_otnow.com Archive? www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] ************************************************************************************** Enroll in Boston University's post-professional Master of Science for OTs Online. Gain the skills and credentials to propel your career. www.otdegree.com/otn **************************************************************************************
