Do you regret becoming an OT?

[jessjlstar]

On many websites--namely Indeed.com--the OT profession has been bashed by unsatisfied OT's. I fear that some people that are interested in a career in occupational therapy may be deterred by all the negativity. For example, many people have said things along the lines of "if I could go back again, I would NEVER choose OT!" and "the OT profession is not difficult. ANYONE could make it as an OT." Another fairly common complaint is that all the money is nestled in one setting: SNF. And, according to these websites, SNF is the WORST setting to work in. Is that true?

Although I am VERY young, I know what I want to do because I've shadowed both OT's and PT's, and I found that I connect more with the psychology aspect that's essential to the occupational therapy profession. But, still, I would like some of you current OTs and students to address a popular question: do you regret becoming an occupational therapist? Could you explain why or why not? And, could you answer the question that many college students ask themselves: "Should I become an occupational therapist or physical therapist?" Why?

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[speedyy12]

In any profession you make it your own. As a student I don't regret going into OT because I've enjoyed learning and experiencing what OT can offer to all populations. I personally enjoy the pediatric population and I love what OT does for them. You just have to find what you enjoy about OT or whatever you enjoy doing.

 

[jessjlstar]

In any profession you make it your own. As a student I don't regret going into OT because I've enjoyed learning and experiencing what OT can offer to all populations. I personally enjoy the pediatric population and I love what OT does for them. You just have to find what you enjoy about OT or whatever you enjoy doing.

The pediatric population is the population in which I hope to serve! I know I may be overzealous, but my overall goal is to own a pediatric therapy clinic that combines OT, PT, SLP, and even more.

 

[c2902]

The pediatric population is the population in which I hope to serve! I know I may be overzealous, but my overall goal is to own a pediatric therapy clinic that combines OT, PT, SLP, and even more.

That's definitely a possibility as at least a few of the pediatric clinics that I know of (and the one I observed at) have those types of specialists who work there, and occasionally co-treat. The place I went to in particular offered OT and SLP, and I did get to sit in on a session where the OT and SLP co-treated a child - it was cool to watch, as all aspects of childhood development, and the various therapeutic interventions interest me in general.

 

[BHSUStudent]

On many websites--namely Indeed.com--the OT profession has been bashed by unsatisfied OT's. I fear that some people that are interested in a career in occupational therapy may be deterred by all the negativity. For example, many people have said things along the lines of "if I could go back again, I would NEVER choose OT!" and "the OT profession is not difficult. ANYONE could make it as an OT." Another fairly common complaint is that all the money is nestled in one setting: SNF. And, according to these websites, SNF is the WORST setting to work in. Is that true?

Although I am VERY young, I know what I want to do because I've shadowed both OT's and PT's, and I found that I connect more with the psychology aspect that's essential to the occupational therapy profession. But, still, I would like some of you current OTs and students to address a popular question: do you regret becoming an occupational therapist? Could you explain why or why not? And, could you answer the question that many college students ask themselves: "Should I become an occupational therapist or physical therapist?" Why?

I am not yet an OT student, but I can tell you that in all facets of life, you will find negative people that complain about everything. And, you find people who dislike their jobs in all professions. Healthcare in particular, may involve high stress and possible burnout... It has it's moments. I personally wouldn't listen to people at Indeed. The only way you are going to figure out if OT is for you, is to observe OT for many hours in a variety of settings and find an OT related job. I hesitated applying to school because of the complaints at Indeed, and regret doing so. You are going to get an over representation of negative people on the internet.

 

[Johann00]

Exactly. Of course all the people taking the time to go online and talk about it are going to be the complainers. The people that are satisfied with the career are busy working and making a difference.

Just think about any other company's "customer service hotline". How many people do you think call in to praise the company and shower it with compliments? Very few. 99% of the people that take the time to call are going to be bitching about something.

Don't let the few naysayers ruin it for you and the rest of us...

 

[Meadow10]

I have been wanting to be an OT for ten years but I have not gone because of the loans. Does anyone have any advice about whether this wAs the right decision?

 

[occupationalguy]

I'm currently in the grind of my level IIs. I don't think I can provide you with an accurate assessment regarding being an OT even at this juncture. I have my ups and downs regarding my decision, but I am still confident that I made the right choice.

The downs: debt load, salary isn't high enough, productivity demands, and concerns about the future practice of our field

The ups: you get to really help people. I used to think that making the highest salary possible as an OT would make me the happiest. I am in a level II setting where the office is pretty dysfunctional. It's made me realize that having a good working relationship with your coworkers and enjoying your setting are very important factors in your happiness. Sometimes I feel like a modalities slave, just billing and billing and billing non stop like you're on an assembly line. The happy moments I have exist: when I help a patient and make a direct connection with him or her.

 

[BowlofSunshine]

Hello all,

I don't regret going into the field but OT school doesn't give you the reality of the field.

You don't learn about the very unethical practices and productivity pressure of SNFs. SNFs usually hiring new grads and throw money at them because SNFs know that is probably the most money the student has ever made in their life. What you get in exchange for that "nice" salary is ridiculous productivity pressures (some places 90%+ productivity), wanting you to engage in unethical behavior risking your license (ultra high RUG levels for EVERY patient, even if not appropriate), and in some markets, there is an oversaturation of OTA due to all the new OTA schools vs the number or OT schools so companies can save money. It's cheaper to employ a OTA vs an OT. You don't learn that most companies just want to use you for your license as an OT to do evaluations, reassessments and DISCHARGES but do little to no treatment because they'll want you to pass the patient immediately to the OTA. As a result, you'll most likely be PRN at several settings and company to supplement your income because they don't want to pay you for documenting and god forbid if you need to take a 15 min break, have to pee or need to talk to a nurse or doctor about a patient.

This is not ALL settings though. Some settings and facilities are much better than others. Do your research and ask questions in OT school.

They're not going to teach you this.

Go to the AOTA website and look at all the OTA schools that have been accredited, a bunch of them are for profit schools. There is a reason for this.

These companies have taken the profit over patient approach and we are their workhorses and mules to high profits. They only want to pay the bare minimum to OTs but keep more OTAs employed because it financially benefits the company, but at our professional expense.

Without an evaluating therapist, patients can't be seen or treated. They forget that.

Overall, make the best decision for you.

 

[occupationalguy]

Hello all,

I don't regret going into the field but OT school doesn't give you the reality of the field.

You don't learn about the very unethical practices and productivity pressure of SNFs. SNFs usually hiring new grads and throw money at them because SNFs know that is probably the most money the student has ever made in their life. What you get in exchange for that "nice" salary is ridiculous productivity pressures (some places 90%+ productivity), wanting you to engage in unethical behavior risking your license (ultra high RUG levels for EVERY patient, even if not appropriate), and in some markets, there is an oversaturation of OTA due to all the new OTA schools vs the number or OT schools so companies can save money. It's cheaper to employ a OTA vs an OT. You don't learn that most companies just want to use you for your license as an OT to do evaluations, reassessments and DISCHARGES but do little to no treatment because they'll want you to pass the patient immediately to the OTA. As a result, you'll most likely be PRN at several settings and company to supplement your income because they don't want to pay you for documenting and god forbid if you need to take a 15 min break, have to pee or need to talk to a nurse or doctor about a patient.

This is not ALL settings though. Some settings and facilities are much better than others. Do your research and ask questions in OT school.

They're not going to teach you this.

Go to the AOTA website and look at all the OTA schools that have been accredited, a bunch of them are for profit schools. There is a reason for this.

These companies have taken the profit over patient approach and we are their workhorses and mules to high profits. They only want to pay the bare minimum to OTs but keep more OTAs employed because it financially benefits the company, but at our professional expense.

Without an evaluating therapist, patients can't be seen or treated. They forget that.

Overall, make the best decision for you.

Could not agree more with this post. Ethical behavior and SNFs - Amen. 100% accurate.