OT undergraduate studies

[bongyonghorangi]

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I've really been dreaming of working with children with mental/physical disabilities and occupational therapist is my dream career. My husband is PUSHING nursing on me, but it's not what I really want to do (he want me to do CRNA because they make so much money, but money isn't everything to me, I want to love my job, and anesthesia doesn't fulfill me, plus I wouldn't want to try an substitute a doctor education in that way).
I looked at programs here in Virginia, but they are all master/doctorate degrees (which I did want to enter a doctorate's program anyways, but I wanted to have a BS in OT first to get some working experience before I enter a doctorate program). Should I get my "undergrad" in nursing then apply to this program?
I hear so many horror stories from nurses it makes me fear working as one. But at this time in our lives, we do need the money (we have a 2 yr old and 4 month old to care for). 🙁
I'm in community college right now, I was working on an transfer degree in general studies (science specialization), but might "have" to switch it to nursing program.
Any advice is appreciated.

 

[gymnastau]

You wouldn't want to get your degree in nursing if you want to apply for a masters in occupational therapy. I mean you could, but if know OT is for you, then you should be taking the sort of prerequisite classes necessary for the masters. Nursing classes will cover a basic psychology and such, but eventually you will be in classes for strictly people who want a career in nursing...
Your community college may not offer occupational or physical therapy ASSISTANT programs but I would imagine there may be a pre-health degree adviser who could help guide you a bit. They can help you figure out what classes to take. You can also google: Pre-occupational therapy track or pre-health track and it will probably produce results from colleges that have information of the sort of classes a student would. be taking. Going into OT programs people have a variety of undergraduate degrees. But common ones are: psychology, kinesiology and exercise science.. find what undergrad studies you enjoy so you can be successful at it. You may very much enjoy psychology as an undergrad as you will take several classes in child development and mental illnesses and disabilities will be incorporated into your studies.

Do what you love and are passionate about! If you go into a career you do not love you will inevitably burn out or want to change. Stick to what you enjoy first, don't worry about the money... and when you are done with OT... you'll be making enough to be glad you stuck with your passion.

 

[2bOT]

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I looked at programs here in Virginia, but they are all master/doctorate degrees (which I did want to enter a doctorate's program anyways, but I wanted to have a BS in OT first to get some working experience before I enter a doctorate program).
Any advice is appreciated.

The BS in OT was officially phased out of schools a few years ago. If you want some work experience first while staying in the field, a good way to go may be a 2-year OTA program. There are also combined BS/MOT programs out there that will have you squared away with both degrees in about 5 years. Good luck!

 

[CurlyHairedGirl]

If you are in Northern Virginia, NOVA Community College is beginning an OT assistant program in 2013. Their pre-requisites are less extensive than those at any OT masters, or OT bachelors to masters degree. If you consider that it will cost you probably $100k in tuition loans and 2-3 additional years of schooling to get an entry level OT masters, going for a COTA from NVCC might be a better deal financially.

How far away a drive would you be from Springfield, VA? That's where NVCC's medical campus is located.

The only pre-requisites they require are:
BIO 141 Human Anatomy and Physiology I 4 BIO 142 Human Anatomy and Physiology II 4 ENG 111 College Composition I 3 HLT 141 Introduction to Medical Terminology 1 SDV 101 Orientation to Health Care Careers

 

[bongyonghorangi]

Thank you so much everyone for your replies. I'm interested in the OTA programs you have mentioned at community colleges, but would taking that program just "waste" my time so to speak? Do the classes count towards undergrad work/prerequisites for admission in to he master/doctorate program?

 

[CurlyHairedGirl]

It wouldn't waste your time if it got you out working in the OT field, just doing slightly different stuff. At the moment, it seems to be really hard to get into OT graduate programs. Try taking Anatomy and Physiology, which is a pre-req for OTA programs as well. If you can make A's in that class, then you've got a shot at getting into an OT masters.

It sounds like you are under pressure to earn money faster, so I'd really consider an OTA degree.