Coursework & Fieldwork How difficult is OTA school?

[js2k1985]

I was going to start Nursing classes soon, but I recently learned of OTA and OT careers. I feel like I would make a great OT. I have been an EMT for 5 years now. So I have experience with Patients.

My question is; how difficult would you say OTA school is and then OT. Mostly OTA for now as I plan on being an OTA for atleast 2 years before starting OT school.

Would you say OTA school is harder or easier than say Nursing school? I have heard horror stories about just how difficult Nursing school is. Will I be able to keep working during OTA school? Schedule is M-F 8:30am to 1pm at keiser in Miami. Wish it was less days but that's what it is, atleast the first semester anyways.

Some pple have told me that ota school was a "joke" and was easy to pass, you do have to study though and put your part, but nothing like Nursing that can completely take over your life and cant work etc.

Also my friend is an OTA and he is making 26hr 40hrs a week. Is that what ota usually make more or less?

Just looking to get a feel for what to expect. Any one attend keiser ota or ot programs? anything to say about it?

Thanks in advance.

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[lao27746]

At first, I was also interested in pursuing a career as an OTA. But after reading through countless forums regarding the demands of OTA school, the lack of job opportunities, and the sometimes low pay, I've decided to just go for OT. I would say that OTA school is easier than Nursing school, but that's only based on what I've heard from nursing students. Wouldn't you rather just go straight to OT school, instead of spending a year getting your OTA degree and then going back for OT?

 

[Bokonomy]

Someone I know is making 70k a year starting, but this is in a nursing home in a wealthy county. I wouldn't expect that much starting out as an OT! So no, the pay isn't all bad if you're cool with SNF. Job opportunities vary depending on your state. The person I knew was looking for a few months in her area, but ended up accepting a position 2 hours away and moving. Then again, there are 2 OTA schools in my area and no OT schools, so we happen to have a shortage of OTs with no one to supervise the OTAs. I wouldn't advise you against doing ota, because if you're worried that you can't handle that, an mot will just be harder.