I'm currently a student completing the prerequisites to pursue a Master's in OT. This is a career change for me in my early 30s, and I should be in the program in 2009. I chose OT because it seemed a stable field (growing demand), and because it focuses on psychological/ social skills to a high degree, which really appeals to me. Considering it now requires an MA to practice, I imagine if anything the demand will increase. And, of course, it is helping people in an immediate sense, and rewarding beyond it's decent compensation.
I struggled initially with OT vs. PT, and in the end it was the heightened focus on cognitive areas of OT that trumped PT for me; psychology and the brain are more interesting to me than physics. At the same time, there are factors that keep making me second-guess my choice: 1) There's generally twice as many PT jobs available than OT, from what I can tell. So both availability and pay scale seems to be a little more on the PT side of things. 2) I keep sensing frustration among OTs and hearing about burnout, lack of recognition, and being threatened as PT gradually extends its sphere of learning into OT areas of expertise (although I think it's a positive thing that the two should learn and develop from each others' strengths). Will OT and PT be the same position eventually? 3) A couple of times I've heard of OTs doing nurse activities. Helping someone learn to transfer themselves into a shower is one thing, but cleaning their diaper just seems like something I wouldn't expect an OT to have to do, and certainly something I'd never want to do. Is this something that all OTs have to do from time to time, or does it depend on their area of expertise (i.e. someone in hand therapy would not run into this)? Am I totally getting the wrong picture of OT here? I'm only going by impressions, and I'm sure my thoughts will be cleared up to a degree after I actually get some experience volunteer-working in a rehab facility with PTs and OTs. Many of you have the benefit of knowledge of having worked as OTs for years, and can provide valuable insights. I feel like OT is more my natural area, but little doubts keep creeping into my mind from what I hear and see. Thanks a lot for your thoughts. I just discovered this website and have been perusing it quite a bit the past couple of days. John -- Options? www.otnow.com/mailman/options/otlist_otnow.com Archive? www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]
