Hello, In this sit down video I tell you a few things I wish I would have known about OT school while I was applying. Hopefully these thoughts will help you as you choose a program.
Make sure you do clinicals in multiple scenarios. Skilled nursing (nursing homes) make you work under pressure and keep high productivity levels. Hospitals expect you to travel to multiple buildings in a day and multiple floors where patients are sick, have tubes and other devices, maybe heavily drugged, etc. school based is a lot of handwriting and cutting and with short treatment times, and you usually have to walk through the school to/from the classroom with the child, which shortens time further. Home visits pay higher but you are in a vulnerable position, so if you are anxious you may worry about your safety. You also use your own car and will put high mileage on it. Physicians tend to prescribe more physical therapy than occupational therapy in clinical settings. OT gets “hands” and “wrists. Even though we are trained in all of the upper extremity. Many OT’s focus on ADLs, but we are trained in physiology, kinesiology, etc. meaning our education is super similar to PT, but we are treated differently. Because many have put so much emphasis on ADLs, you will be called upon to do nursing things and have to take their time and yours to once again explain that you are an OT not a nurse and what OTs do as they roll their eyes and get frustrated. Happens a lot to the patients and the staff. You have to know your profession and stand your ground, or you will wear yourself out changing briefs and wiping bottoms. There are cases where nurses ignore OT requests to perform ADLs on patients and get them out of bed to the wheelchairs for other treatment option other than bed mobility. ADLs and toilet if because they think that’s all we do and they assume that we are being bossy and they are overworked and understaffed so either you reschedule treatment or spend your treatment time yet another session on what I listed above, rather than doing wheelchair work, sit to stand, reaching or endurance. Many people don’t know what OT is unless you explain it. They light up when you mention PT. I have seen companies offer $4-$5 per hour under what the Occupational Therapy Assistants receive and when I graduated, OT was 6 years and 5-6 figures tuition. I started out in OTA school and it was 2 years and 5 figure tuition like $24k versus $75k. Many COTA’s or OTA’s make $5 less per hour than I have been offered. You have to learn the art of negotiation. Also OTAs who have been practicing 20 years, for example, can perform many OT duties. Some act as the OT and will write their notes accordingly. I have had an OTA tell me that OT’s are stuck up and haughty and on the same level as an OT when I asked her to type therapy assistant rather than therapist in her notes since it was a legal document and there had to be a distinction. I’m an easy going OT who respects and works with OTAs and CNAs. So that was uncalled for and annoying. There is a definite distinction between the two and legally and ethically it should not be crossed. Yet it’s done more than people realize. The PTs I have met always make $5-$10 per hour more than the OT. So, if you are going into OT vs PT or another health field, I would suggest asking a LOT of questions and shadowing as much as possible first. My OT supervisors would not tell me their pay rate understandably, but I realized that the pay rate will not pay off a college loan and you are fortunate if you can get in full time anywhere. I write this at the expense of appearing bitter or negative, but I’m not. I’m a very caring, positive person who does OT, gets along with my colleagues and loves my patients and clients. I take my continuing Ed seriously and ask questions of my peers when necessary. I am all in. But I wish with all my heart that someone would have told me the truth before I gave up time with my children to go back to school and get into a career where I work temporary positions and have to fight for a higher pay than the assistant and explain what I do to everyone because no one knows. It’s really hard. I’m a strong person, but I would like to have a career without all the extra hassles. I’m definitely making the best of it now, and I love where I work. Good luck out there! OT is a noble profession and people really need us! So if you are strong and committed and these things won’t bother you, welcome to the team! I wish you the beat! The highest paid positions for a new graduate will be early intervention and home health. Higher pay of you work as an independent contractor but you need to be confident and able to make good quick decisions. There’s usually lots of paperwork involved. But if you’re the independent type, this may be the best options. Try to set up a job before you graduate while you’re still in clinicals/field work.
Is $75k just for the 2-3 yr OT program or for all 6 years? Also when you were negotiating was it normal for companies to misrepresent the salaries so that they could offer OTAs less? If so did you find work staff to be forthcoming with their salaries? That’s a great bit of information you gave, good luck to us all.
So I’m currently a senior in highschool and I’m considering of going into OT, and I’m curious as to what’s the earliest you can foreshadow the job or see how it is on a daily basis? Cause I know I won’t fully know if I like it until I try it, and I don’t want to go through all those years of schooling to find out I don’t like it.
@mallorytrepkowski9213 I shadowed in highschool! Check out local hospitals to see if they have programs or start emailing local clinics! I would also recommend looking into working as a rehab tech- if you’re interested in OT odds are you’re interested in health care in general, and working as a tech is a great way to really see it!
It will fly (cliche I know) I wish I had taken more opportunities to volunteer and put myself in positions to use my skills. Study hard and don’t forget to enjoy being a student!
I was in an OTA program but dropped out due to unforeseen circumstances, but I loved the program I was in since they invited a lot of guest speakers (patients with diff. impairments and OTs from different settings). Anyways, ever since I’ve dropped out I’ve been shadowing a lot and I’m debating if I should go for OT school or go back to OTA school. I’m currently working as a rehab tech for outpatient PT to gain experience in the field besides shadowing. It’s really made me think a lot how it really is important to advocate for the OT profession otherwise I can see how burnout can happen. Most referrals we get are PT and OT but patients would prefer PT over the other. With my background education, I can somehow talk to patients and open up about my knowledge in OT without having to dive deep and also not mislead them. Thank you for posting this and opening up a discussion! Very much appreciate it!
Its unfortunate how much OT needs advocated for. I wish it were more known, but we need all the advocates we can get to make that happen. Good luck on your journey!
After some negative “reviews” from people unhappy with their choices, I really appreciate this comment. Looking forward to having you as a colleague in the field!
@@carlywalker2142 yes, plentiful. Medicare cuts in 2023 for therapy services may change that. Its very difficult to predict how these changes will pan out.
I stumbled upon this video today. I just started school to become an occupational therapist in Finland. This was really interesting to kinda see insight on how the program and school are in a other country. Really interesting and I can see this be very useful for anyone who is interested in applying. Our applying process was very different though.
Thank you for such a well thought out video I am currently planning on what to do post grad and this video has helped a lot! I know Occupational therapy would be a great option but knowing this will help when it comes down to finally applying. I had a question did you have a mentor in undergrad that helped you choose your career path?
I had many people help me along the way, but not one particular person that helped me map everything out. If I could go back I would seek out that kind of support a little bit more.
VERY TIMELY VIDEO FOR ME ... Been planning my Career change to a career where I help people, I ENJOY SEEING PEOPLE BACK TO THEIR FEET!!! So was debating if I should take OTA or PTA, I started off thinking of doing OTA then someone thought I should do PTA, BUT 6 months later, & After lots of personal research... I BELIEVE OTA is my thing... Especially bcoz it has study for Mental Health in it👏👏👏👏👏👏👏... So I'll be joining an OTA College... in Fall 2023... YEEES🙌👏🙌👏
Yay!!! Congrats! I’m on rotation in a hospital right now and the COTA here is wonderful and definitely helps get people back on their feet! I love the OT world.
Don't do it. The rehabilitation field is horrible. I would be careful about going into OTA and this is coming from a COTA that quit the profession. Lots of therapists are quitting right now.
I think I understood you to say “I wish I would have known that my program didn’t have any opportunities for us to experience a real person with a real deficit”. MAJOR RED FLAG HERE! I can’t believe your program would have been accredited without having “hands on” training for you. If I was a hiring manager for OT and someone came to me with this type of training, or maybe I should say “non-training” I wouldn’t consider hiring this person. What are the stats for your program for their graduates actually getting an OT job with this type of training? My guess is it’s very low. You may have spent a lot of money for no good training or reason. I would look for another program. Good luck.
We have 40+ weeks of clinical training which is actually a lot for most programs. I meant during didactic coursework- when initially learning the material and techniques we would practice on eachother or simulated patients (actors), and there were points where I wished we had access to some one who actually needed assistance so we could get a feel for it BEFORE going into our clinical training. In the US you cannot become a licensed OT without at least 24 weeks of fieldwork experience.
Oof. Congrats on passing. Who knows- maybe in a few years you’ll go back to school and become the most versatile assistant there ever was. Maybe you can work in hands and scratch the itch and have a more physical therapy like job in the OT field!
@@sandradoingstuff funny you mention it! My first FWII was with a ortho outpatient OT CHT, she also did TBI. The versatility OTs have is beneficial. I also saw how many COTAs PRN at different places to mix things up and make the most about of money. SKilled Nursing facilities and inpatient are my jam though!! Completely rewarding, also time flies when you’re so busy. Love your channel!
@@lucid6067 No Kidding- Thanks for hanging out! I hope life as a COTA treats you well, despite not feeling completely at home- I'm sure you'll do awesome things for your patients!
I am just finishing my OT degree and feel I may have made a mistake and am terrified... do you have any suggestions for how I may be able to use any of my degree to pivot into another role or career...
Eek scary. I’m not done yet but I do know some people who have gone into medical equipment sales and love it. You can always quit a job so I would explore some options in the field and see if you like it once you’re working, and know you can always bail.
how did you arrange shadowing someone in the field that is an OT? I'm curious if this field is right for me and if they would allow someone like me, not in the school yet to be in the environment with them, following, etc
I googled “OT shadowing experiences” and found some outpatient clinics that had organized opportunities to apply for, if you know some one in the field you can always ask them. It takes some persistence
I got a BS in health and exercise science with a minor in Spanish. Both have been really helpful for grad school, but i love OT because pretty much every one in my cohort studied something different and they’re all successful!
Hi Jerry! I’m so sorry you had a bad experience. I know there’s a lot of negativity with high productivity standards, low respect, difficulty with reimbursement and financial burden. I understand burnout and frustration, and hope you’re on a path towards a better fit for you. However filling prospective practitioners with dread isn’t helpful, for us or for making the field better. Please take your frustrations out elsewhere. I am trying to build a community to share ideas and support with other students and new grad OTs. I have years and large financial investments dedicated towards this field, as well as passion that hasn’t been dulled yet. At this point, simply quitting because a RU-vid stranger is upset with their experience isn’t an option. Best of luck in whatever endeavors are next for you! I hope it is a better experience.
@@sandradoingstuff I hope it works out for you because it didn't for me. Please stay in it for the long run and don't quit because you'll prove me right.
Your comment doesn’t provide helpful dialogue to improve OT patient relationships or empathy. It was entirely unproductive and doesn’t promote the aim of this video which is to inform students about hardships that aren’t openly discussed in this field. I would love to help you find support groups to discuss your medical trauma, however this is not one.
