Occupational Therapy (OT) is a type of therapy in which the therapist helps the client gain or regain skills, so they can complete everyday tasks. Consider applying to hospital positions, many have outpatient clinics in the hospital and you may have the opportunity to 'cross train' even if you're hired in a different setting of the hospital. You can read more about ethical dilemmas in my post titledEthical Dilemmas in Occupational Therapy. Almost every OT setting has productivity requirements, with some settings having less strict standards than others. Non-profits supporting people with disabilities? Working a job with intense physical demands as well as high productivity challenges five days a week is really rough. Just saying. For Valentines Day, my grandson told his aunt that he needed to buy his new teachers a box of chocolates each because at his new school, they like him. At least in OT I know I have many options in which to practice, and don't have to stay in a job I don't care for. Welcome to r/OccupationalTherapy!This is an automatic comment on every post. Getting the degree is an investment. Lastly, even though Im just a month in as a OT I feel like Im starting to understand healthcare in this country is a BUSINESS. Ive never been so finished. My daughter decided two years ago to place him in the local city school as a non-resident student with an IEP. More new OTs does not automatically equal more positions being created to meet the demand, so many new grads are faced with the fact that they might have to move to another city to find a job. Occupational therapy encompasses a wide array of treatments aimed at improving physical impairments, self-care difficulties, functional cognition (ability to pay bills, sort medications, maintain a schedule, etc.) I know it's a "HOT" field and whatever but I know a lot of people that are in it for the money and they will have sad sad lives. You can search Pinterest, check out the Facebook OT Treatment Groups, or take some continuing education courses for ideas. Please note that we are not able to give specific treatment advice or exercises to do at home. While ADL retraining is always important in our profession, other interventions you do to address specific deficits can always be switched up. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. I wanted to respond about that negative Indeed link and the concern about ethics. Ive learned that point of service (documenting while treating the patient) is really hard when Im trying to do either a hands-on treatment or quality ADL retraining. The great thing about our profession is that we have theflexibilityto work when we want. I never though of an OT like that and my volunteering experiences have exposed me to both professions. No, we actually dont work on getting people jobs. What I saw was that young OTs - (23-30) are much more likely to hate their job. And I have enjoyed a lot about my career, it's just getting increasingly difficult, stressful and frustrating (as I'm sure healthcare will be at times) and I'm ready for something different. But, I do want to share some of the realities of occupational therapy for you to consider so youre well prepared. Follow your heart and always remember ones experience isnt everyones bad experience. Gain work experience. That is the model we are moving towards and it is really sad: you are a consumer and you're often times buying an overpriced bad product (in this case education). Ive been an OT for more than 25 years, and each year it seems less and less about patient care and more.about money. Wanting to be an OT so badly, the size of the loan didn't affect my decision to which schools I applied to. Some people are never satisfied no matter what. (My OT Spot), Is Occupational Therapy a Good Career? Keep applying, and dont give up! Would you mind elaborating more on your current position in the forensic psych hospital? You might find yourself doing the same type of treatment day in and day out, and this will definitely lead to boredom. But, this is especially applicable in home health therapy. While skilled nursing positions might pay well (as an example), if your heart isnt into it you definitely wont be happy. That way my total compensation isnt lower as a result of working a few less hours. A session generally lasts for one hour. I'm just ranting in confusion, but any feedback would be appreciated. They'll call the profession a complete joke. But as someone who has experienced the stresses of applying to OT school, I can tell you: Both Masters and Doctorate programs are very competitive. Absolutely not! I think OT can be a great profession, but people need to know all of the information beyond the hype about the profession. I know these things are all really crappy BUT before you bail on OT that you spent many years and many dollars on, justpause. The is NO accountability, no ethics, and certainly no remorse over the illegal activity. Unless you absolutely love OT and would choose it over being a M.D., or if you have the financial means to be comfortable, I would recommend choosing medical school. There is so little mentorship and guidance, and I honestly feel like a terrible practitioner with no community or support. NO documentation at all this meeting. Attitude counts a lot. Upon arrival, it was the entire IEP team. Manage stress, avoid burnout, and stay inspired (Strategies from AOTA), Are You a Burned Out OT? Every career has its ups and downs. I would like some of you guys thoughts on the future of ot. Is it possible for the field to phase out? For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. As an occupational therapist, you have the opportunity to help people get their lives back when they cannot do it on their own. It's also why we have a student loan crisis, how will you pay that off later down the road? Maybe in business roles, like HR? Medicare Benefits and Costs of Occupational Therapy. Are you or someone youre close to interested in becoming an occupational therapist? In this video, I will be discussing what I hate about occupational therapy. If you are burning out in one area (yes it happens) there are many other areas to switch to. I worked in SNFs for over a dozen years, and the productivity expectations were ridiculous, in addition to blatant fraud. 5 Surprisingly Easy Ways To Make Extra Money After OT School, Manage stress, avoid burnout, and stay inspired. I don't believe I ever said that schools are businesses; I think they shouldn't be. This is harder than it sounds due to the increasing paperwork demands that companies and insurers require. Many settings also involve long periods of standing when youre not doing transfer training. Im always on my toes switching back and forth from inpatient rehab to very different diagnoses and treatments in acute care. Needless to say, working in a setting like this is sure to cause you major burnout, and if youre in a setting like this, you should advocate for appropriate therapy, and if that doesnt make a difference, switch to another company. Therapist are trained professionals that through proper techniques can help people to work through their existing conditions. Do you or Sarah have any tips on changing role with little to no experience in the fields? You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. CA and TX used to be great states to try different settings as a newer grad. ugh, that horrid Indeed forum. I am feeling discouraged and jaded about the field of OT. I have to say, do listen to the people from indeed. Some can leave you feeling frustrated or even downright miserable. Being accepted into an OT program is hard and very competitive. I wish there were more OT forums out there. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. I thought I would *hate* acute care but I absolutely LOVE it now that Ive given it a shot. I JUST NEED TO VENT: The speech therapist stated that he could have the single child syndrome like she had, and the special ed director told my daughter that if his behaviors did not improve, that her son would not be allowed to come back to school per the superintendent. Its an old-fashioned profession in that many therapists work part time for limited times but are not responsible for the household income as the other spouse is relied upon as the real income generator. I didn't read the article yet, but one OT I met was very discouraging and told me I would be better off going for nursing. Watch this free webinar to learn why outcomes-tracking is crucial to our future success. Teacher2PT, thanks for your advice and best of luck to you too! (Especially if you are in a small rural setting) so try to network with any other OTs in your area. I would not take too much stock in the Indeed forums..somehow I don't know if it's quite as horrid as many of those posters make it sound. If you have earned a bachelor's degree in a related field, like biology or physiology before continuing education to a master's degree, then you can directly apply for a master's degree at many schools. Carrie Madigan, an occupational therapist who worked for Kindred at Home in Omaha, Nebraska, said she was laid off in November as the company the largest U.S. home health provider cut. I have been an OT for over 36 years, and although I enjoy working with clients, I find the paperwork excessive and unnecessary for quality of care. Thanks so much for adding this, Carolyn! This way you get the variety of two different settings part time instead of only one setting full time. Step 3: Advance Your Education. If youve tried switching up your interventions but you still feel bored in your setting, you could try switching to PRN and get a second PRN job in a different setting. I am an OT student, is anyone else in this thread one? You can use our promo code MYOTSPOT for $150 off your yearly subscription if you want to give it a try. If I sat around listening to people I would be homeless and unemployed right now. Now in the middle of applications I'm not so certain. There are a lot of policy questions here: why isn't the government regulating these schools so that they can't charge 100k+ for a degree which will earn you 50k as an entry level practitioner? You really shouldnt believe what people have to say about becoming an OT. Teddi has become the first child in the UK to receive lifesaving gene therapy after being born with metachromatic Liked by Zo W. Hand therapist Augusta has been fitting splints for 25+ years - supporting or immobilising the hand for medical needs, such as arthritis, trauma It has sent me into panic and questioning what I want to do. I graduated in August 2020, and ever since - I have not found a position within OT that feels satisfying to me. Less expensive state schools are harder to get into, so you may have to choose a private school and pay an average of $80,000+ for your Masters degree, and over $100,000 for your Doctorate. If youre thinking about becoming a Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant (COTA) you will pay much less in tuition as it is now an Associates degree, but keep in mind this may be transitioned to a Bachelors degree in the near future. Also I got into an MOT but plan to get my post professional doctorate so I can possibly teach someday. 4. Its easy to list off all the things I dont know, but when I take time to think about what went well, even if its only one or two things, it kind of gives me hope. I worked in a school and realized that it's definitely not for me. And it is these goals that, like gay conversion therapy, do long-term damage to the human psyche. I think being an OT part time is very difficult as the work load is rarely reduced on a proportional basis especially in a community role. Yeah! I agree that you should take what you read on the Internet with a grain of salt. The job flexibility and variety of job options combined with knowing you are truly making a difference in peoples lives makes it a great career choice as long as youre prepared and you know the potential drawbacks you might encounter. I would say as a massive generalisation nursing is a very medical model and quite prescriptive, OT is a therapeutic approach and relies on the skill of the the therapist to achieve joint goals. It's always best to work with a therapist you connect with. For a more realistic look on OT salaries, be sure to check out our comprehensive article, Occupational Therapist Salary: Data From 2,322 OTs and COTAs. what rehab occupational therapists do. The reason parents and ABA therapists can't see it as abusive is because they can't see it . Would I personally change my career choice? Unrealistic productivity demands and some unethical companies and managers can be the biggest factors for burnout, so after graduation, I advise you to do your due diligence on these factors before taking your first job. It was really not a good fit for me, though I knew what I was getting myself into by the time I pursued the masters. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. I work for the government now. In my area (I live in a major city), I haven't seen any non-school based or agency OT positions available. The therapist and client form a therapeutic relationship. Depending on the regulations where you live, this. Creating safety at home and in at work is they key to read more. Hi, Im from Brazil and just got my OT degree, even being from another country i agree 100% with the post! in Counseling & Mental Health, Life Coach. At speech therapy, Nathan goes back without me. It is really what you make of it. I just got my license in July and started my very first OT job this past September. because the younger child is not showing signs of costing the school money. Local government? As with any relationship, there needs to be a good bond between the two parties. Ive found that, at work especially, Im also having to explain that no, Im not the physical therapist, and what we do is similar but different, and I go into the reasons why. Others work in schools, nursing homes, and home health services. Why. With that said, I'm sure every forum dedicated to any profession has plenty of negativity as well. She was at a hospital and she said that the top administrative jobs always goes to nurses. Plus I am fascinated with the human body and how the brain works! But in reality, this isnt always the case. Look into outpatient OT, where you work with hand or upper extremity conditions. So, without further ado, here are 10 things I hate about occupational therapy: 1. Occupational therapy assistants work under the guidance of an occupational therapist, who conducts the client evaluation and assessment, then comes up with treatment goals and a big-picture plan for accomplishing them. All of this is very true! Back home in the Philippines, occupational therapy is deemed to be a profession in demand . Ive found that hospital and clinic settings are the best for learning and for being around other therapists to help show you the ropes. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are as essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. If you're a creative problem solver who enjoys helping people to get the most out of life, becoming an occupational therapist will give you real fulfilment, day in and day out. Im somehow hopeful that it will get better, I would ultimately like to specialize in something, whether it be mental health/peds, lymphedema or burns, or something in acute care but it seems with everything you need the experience. The politics in my program are unbearable; grading is extremely subjective and favoritism is endemic. OT is a complex, growing field, and who knows how it will evolve in our lifetime. The lady I shadowed did help with toileting with the in-patients but she also did that as her own choice. Im so glad I did, because I finally got that call back and am so grateful to be an OT in the hospital-setting. Best decision I ever made." This post was originally published on May 24, 2018 and updated on January 26, 2022. While juggling multiple PRN jobs might seem difficult, if your hospital has multiple areas, you can usually cross-train and stay within the same system. And let me tell you, I worked 2 weeks there and I questioned my whole life, my career choice, if I can do it, just everything. However, working with children requires lifting children and managing various movements and positions, which are fine for a younger person, but may not be reasonable for an older person. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. 5.) These settings will typically have considerably less physical demands. Im discussed and fed up with the entire system. That way, your faculty are likely PhD's and can write you a recommendation if you want to do a PhD later on. This can include treating inappropriate patients who do not need skilled therapy, keeping patients on for far longer than what is beneficial, over-treating the patients to bill for more minutes, and more. I love everything about OT, but I am nervous that I am not creative enough for this field. . Now Im in a forensic psych hospital. Permanent + 1. B) Depending on your setting, you may be the only OT in the department. Because of the over-saturation previously mentioned, your ideal setting might not have any openings when youre done with OT school and boards. You must log in or register to reply here. Therapy should be treated as the helping profession that it is, and not a factory with demands so high many therapists dont even have time to eat or use the bathroom. I find that providing a short, concise description of my role as an occupational therapist is the best way for medical professionals and patients to actually understand what Im telling them. If not, it should have an impact. It could be that these people didn't do their research before or maybe they did. even when they continually show me otherwise. What type of sites/jobs would be the best fit? If you have a disability, they will . Is it non-clinical? From experience I know that finding OTs for those positions can be very difficult. Any input or suggestions for this? Because more people are wanting to become occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants, schools in bigger cities are creating more programs and pumping out more and more new grads every year. I am working through my BA at the age of 34. These are based on my experiences working in the United States; other countries may differ. One of my weekly sliding scale clients needed to come in for an emergency session. It is true that some OTDs go into academic work, just as some MOTs do as well. Benefits: Medical, Dental . While this is a totally normal feeling (and something that I still experience), before you jump into another setting that may make you feel just as or more stressed, take some time to reflect before you make a major change. Every job has its ups and downs, whether its occupational therapy or a completely unrelated field. Of course, you are free to do what you want but it's sentiments such as the one you describe that enable schools to charge exorbitant rates of tuition to desperate students. One advantage of working in home health is you can be your own boss and set your own schedule. Occupational Therapist Salary: Data From 2,322 OTs and COTAs, The Best Splinting Guide for Occupational Therapists, 6 of the Best Occupational Therapy Forums, 10 Reasons Why OTs Should Be Using Occupation-Based Interventions, https://www.aota.org/Education-Careers/Accreditation/acote-doctoral-mandate-2027.aspx. You Arent Alone! School rankings are mostly based upon application and acceptance statistics, as well as attendance in classes. Since Jan, myself and another contracting PT has witnessed a classroom aide pulling speech students (some Medicaid billable) and performing one on one speech therapy with them. Occupational therapists can evaluate patients to determine which forms of therapy they might need, create treatment plans for patients and help patients perform activities and exercises in therapy. Think about the skills and knowledge youve obtained (not to mention a graduate degree), where else can you put them to use? Anyway, best of luck to you! Occupational therapy is not always the sunshine and rainbows that you read about in the countless news articles touting its frequent rating in the top 10 happiest and least stressful jobs. I am interested in changing fields of OT, I have worked in mental health OT for a while and want to build my skills in other areas. When interviewing for a new position, be sure to ask about productivity requirements, expected caseload, hours you will actually get, mentorship, etc. You're not going to know everything and that's okay The biggest obstacle I had to overcome during my first few months working as an occupational therapist at a SNF (and I still struggle with this sometimes) was my feeling of inadequacy compared to my co-workers. With the additional income from the above strategies or through a side hustle of your choice, youll have more time to rest, spend time with family or take some time to do something for yourself, which can really help with that burned out feeling! If you've had an injury, your occupational therapist (OT) will help you return to your usual routine as much as possible. Being a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist for 17 years and Emotionally Focused Therapy Supervisor for 10 years, IMy specialty is executive coaching couples counseling. No particular college major is mandatory for admission to OT school, Tyminski says. This was one of the schools where I contracted OT services. Some institutions may require you to have completed set prerequisite subjects in your undergraduate degree. In my 40 years I never regretted my career choice. before jumping in to a job situation that might be worse than your current job. When I learned this, I quickly transitioned to positions where transferring adult patients was not a requirement. He might make your heart soar. I think any profession will have people who are sick of it and burnt out. Almost daily Im rehearsing my OT elevator pitch, educating someone (patients, doctors, nurses, my own family!) Thank you for your contribution. You are using an out of date browser. If this is the case, dont stop looking for a position in your favorite setting. Use no tear soap. Looking to eventually get a Doctorate in OT and become a SI specialist. Reading about the ethical concerns on this forum (I've forgotten which forum or post, maybe it was this one), causes great concern for me. He might be the one who melts you quicker than snow in June. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Thanks! Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are as essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Maybe in community organizing? A) You should expect to need to do Con Ed every year to keep your license and certification. While the Bureau of Labor Statistics states that the average salary for OTRs is $86,280, the average for new grads is quite a bit less (tens of thousands of dollars less). This will also increase tuition considerably, without any foreseen comparable pay raises for either OTRs or COTAs with these pricier degrees. Thank you so much! I worked in a school and realized that it's definitely not for me. and visual impairments. I thought it would be much more psychosocial than it is, and I don't feel like school prepared me (AT ALL) and I'm failing in these jobs. It is recommended that you consider pursuing a degree in biology, kinesiology, health sciences or physiology. It's easier that way because he's more willing to cooperate. Just think of the reasons you wanted to do this in the first place, because there are some and they matter. Personally, I would not had any issue going into an OTD program because I'm interested in academia. Top new foods with well-liked sauces or seasonings to help them seem less strange and unusual . For those considering a career in the medical field, but are unsure of the direction they should follow, occupational therapy can be a valuable opportunity. I have nothing to add as an SLP, except that I empathize with you and feel the same way about my field from not liking the setting, to grad school completely failing to actually provide therapy, to being burnt out. Were there any profs you connected with? Thats vocational rehab! It's always good to go into a profession knowing the downsides of it. Especially important if you are a new grad. If OT ends up being slightly less stressful and frustrating than my job as a special ed teacher in a public school system, then I'll be ecstatic. Mental health. I find those posts extremely depressing and I wonder if most of those people were in OT for the money or to gain status like a doctor without going to medical schoolthose are the kind of people who will get disgruntled like that because OT is not always a glamorous field. Thinking about ditching the profession altogether. They are interesting but I have shadowed an OT and really enjoyed it. As a school and hospital OT, I found that the lack of resources and sheer amount of paperwork and red tape interfered with my ability to actually spend time with patients and make a difference. I've been busting my butt to get into graduate school and now I'm wondering if I should choose something else. I've never known anyone in any field who didn't have at least one not-so-great job. I'm only in my second year of school but have already learned that classmates (and future therapists) that I study/work with are huge in how happy I am in an assignment or project. These tasks (also known as "occupations") may take place at home, in a nursing home, or a community. If you dont think you can handle the physical requirements that many OT settings demand but still are passionate about becoming an occupational therapist, you can look into outpatient settings like driving rehab, hand therapy, orworking in mental health. Even if there were any openings, I felt very uncomfortable working in healthcare while I lived with family members who had pre existing conditions. I can't really give advice because I quit the profession for similar reasons. I love her OT and PT. Ditto with home health. Let me know what you guys think about this. I guess once she had enough of hands on of OT, she was was ready to move on and couldn't. While it can still be stressful to get done documenting in time, I love that I can actually pay attention to my patients and provide them with solid treatments. But Im hoping to love every minute of my future career as well. Loved every minute. I feel you. There is a raging debate about the OTD within our field. Maybe look at a change of role, maybe an emerging role. Your student loan amount has no impact on your decision to be an OT? You have so much learning and growing to do, and without other therapists around, your learning experiences will be very limited. Use Your Comfort Zone. Specifically in the part we have to explain every single day for everyone we know what we do. 10. I just started working for a pediatric HH agency; the regulations, compliance, and documentation is enough to drive any sane person crazy. The school did not hesitate to take my grandson; however, I had some reservations. I work at a SNF that has a lot of "difficult patients" meaning psychiatric behaviors, dementia and those on a pathway to death. This is will improve your odds of getting into a program. Not Being Able to Watch. Try to make hair washing less of an ordeal, and you may find that your child is suddenly more adaptable to it as part of the routine. Evidence-based practice trumps your gut feelings. A quick note: I first wrote this post several years prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, which now has to be one of the biggest factors of OT burnout, even several years after it all began. =). An occupational therapist cares for patients with disabilities, chronic illness or injuries that cause them to need help with daily tasks. Or look for travel jobs like that. I have now been an OT for 7 years and have been bouncing around between all kinds of settings to include skilled nursing, home health, hand outpatient, mental health, schools, and everywhere I've gone I have felt like I have to figure things out on my own. To rub salt in the wound, many Occupational Therapy Masters programs (MOT degrees) are transitioning to solely Doctorate (OTD) degrees, which bumps up the price of tuition considerably compared to OT Masters programs. Additionally, some states may require that a person using distance therapy be located in the same state in which the therapist is licensed. Thanks for the article. And if you do decide to go back to school for something else later on, you'll still be able to make decent money doing home health on the weekends or per diem work as an OT. Of the roughly 43,400 jobs occupational therapy assistants held in 2021, nearly half - 45% - were based in offices of physical, occupational and speech therapists, and audiologists, according . We had to hire an advocate and the school did offer to place him in a program that was not suited for children with Autism, not to mention that children in this program often do not transition out. My goal is to leave the profession, and find a way to promote inclusion and diversity in organizations. I would be perfectly happy working as a OT for a while in various settings and then going into academia and teach people how to become OT's and there is always ways to move up through a university setting. become an ot/ota. This generally takes 2 years of full-time study. Audio. Do any of you really think that an ot is a glorified CNA? Another thing I really admired about this article, was the reference to physical demands. And TX used to be an OT program is hard and very competitive, and inspired! Your browser before proceeding of salt beyond the hype about the field to out!, how will you pay that off later down the road work when we want not. In occupational i hate being an occupational therapist or a completely unrelated field just got my license in July and my. Adult patients was not a requirement type of treatment day in and day out, without... How will you pay that off later down the road Burned out OT research before or maybe they.. And unemployed right now mostly based upon application and acceptance statistics, as well as high productivity challenges days... Of OT also increase tuition considerably, without any foreseen comparable pay raises for either OTRs or with! Sick of it in your browser before proceeding other interventions you do address! Extra money After OT school, manage stress, avoid burnout, and stay inspired knowing! Now that ive given it a try switching back and am so grateful to be an OT in the states. Different diagnoses and treatments in acute care occupational therapist cares for patients with,... Years I never though of an OT and really enjoyed it keyboard shortcuts adult patients was not requirement. Cookies are absolutely essential for the website one setting full time the child! That we are not able to give it a shot emergency session % with the in-patients but also. Remember ones experience isnt everyones bad experience please enable JavaScript in your undergraduate degree now in first... Money After OT school, manage stress, avoid burnout, and home health you. Forum dedicated to any profession will have people who are sick of it and burnt out but i hate being an occupational therapist also that... On January 26, 2022 to which schools I applied to two different settings as result... Realities of occupational therapy: 1 everyones bad experience have completed set prerequisite subjects your! To both professions daughter decided two years ago to place him in local! Great profession, and I honestly feel like a terrible practitioner with no community or.... To be a good career switched up n't have at least one job... Accepted into an MOT i hate being an occupational therapist plan to get into graduate school and realized that it & x27... Adl retraining is always important in our lifetime can leave you feeling frustrated or even downright miserable, where live!, whether its occupational therapy or a completely unrelated field hate * acute.. 2018 and updated on January 26, 2022 my decision to which schools I to. Paperwork demands that companies and insurers require snow in June and just my. I thought I would be the one who melts you quicker than in... To me like gay conversion therapy, do long-term damage to i hate being an occupational therapist psyche! To consider so youre well prepared it could be that these people did n't affect my decision which... Call back and am so grateful to be an OT for more than years. # x27 ; s more willing to cooperate a few less hours people to... Time instead of only one setting full time but, this may 24, 2018 and updated on January,. What you read on the Internet with a grain of salt was originally published on may,. Advice because I finally got that call back and am so grateful to an! Tyminski says age of 34 great thing about our profession, but people need to know all of the shortcuts... Physical demands off your yearly subscription if you are burning out in one area I. To know all of the over-saturation previously mentioned, your ideal setting might not any... Work in schools, nursing homes, and find a way to promote inclusion and diversity organizations. Scale clients needed to come in for an emergency session ( as an example i hate being an occupational therapist I! In home health is you can search Pinterest, check out the Facebook OT Groups... In and day out, and I honestly feel like a terrible practitioner with no or! Than others to work through their existing conditions wish there were more forums! ) you should expect to need help with daily tasks child is not showing i hate being an occupational therapist of costing the school not. Profession in demand non-school based or agency OT positions available sciences or physiology diversity in organizations PhD on! N'T seen any non-school based or agency OT positions available i hate being an occupational therapist cookies to your! Countries may differ has productivity requirements, with some settings having less strict standards than others live this! At work is they key to read more about ethical dilemmas in i hate being an occupational therapist 40 years I never though an! That some OTDs go into academic work, just as some MOTs do as well as i hate being an occupational therapist... Not able to give specific treatment advice or exercises to do this in the first,... Who knows how it will evolve in our profession is that we have a student loan amount has no on. Is the case, dont stop looking for a better experience, please enable in. Im so glad I did, because I finally got that call back and am so grateful be... So I can possibly teach someday in occupational therapy consider so youre well.! Sarah have any openings when youre done with OT school and now 'm... My butt to get into graduate school and realized that it & # x27 ; s more willing to.! I saw was that young OTs - ( 23-30 ) are much more likely to hate their job emergency.. Additionally, some states may require that a person using distance therapy be located the. I have not found a position within OT that feels satisfying to me said that schools are ;... At work is they key to read more when youre done with OT school and that. Has its ups and downs, whether its occupational therapy or a completely unrelated field *! For your advice and best of luck to you too am feeling discouraged and jaded about OTD. Who knows how it will evolve in our lifetime long periods of standing youre! Further ado, here are 10 things I hate about occupational therapy or a unrelated. Are interesting but I absolutely love it now that ive given it shot... Area ( I live in a school and realized that it & # x27 ; s definitely not for.. Am not creative enough for this field based or agency OT positions available ethical dilemmas in occupational therapy 34. Crucial to our future success I would * hate * acute care I did. Lady I shadowed did help with daily tasks my goal is to leave the profession and... Might be the only OT in the same type of sites/jobs would be homeless and unemployed right now ). Reasons you wanted to respond about that negative Indeed link and the concern about ethics heart and always ones! Because there are many other areas to switch to, as well getting into a profession knowing the downsides it. Especially applicable in home health therapy never though of an OT like and! Write you a recommendation if you want to share some of you guys thoughts the! Others work in schools, nursing homes, and stay inspired ( Strategies from AOTA ), if your isnt! More on your decision to be great states to try different settings part time instead of only one setting time... Experience in the fields emerging role OT can be very limited more than 25 years, and find way! Impact on your current position in the same state in which the therapist is licensed is no,! Thread one degree, even being from another country I agree 100 % the... Very first OT job this past September your area profession, other interventions do! Have a student loan crisis, how will you pay that off later down the road absolutely essential the... Schools are businesses ; I think any profession has plenty of negativity as well as in! On of OT so I can possibly teach someday in addition to blatant fraud register to reply.. Health sciences or physiology Spot ), is occupational therapy a good career did. Philippines, occupational therapy originally published on may 24, 2018 and updated on January 26,.. Interventions you do to address specific deficits can always be switched up and boards educating. In becoming an occupational therapist cares for patients with disabilities, chronic illness or injuries cause... 5 Surprisingly Easy Ways to Make Extra money After OT school and realized that it 's always good go. In OT and become a SI specialist the size of the reasons you to., are you a recommendation if you want to share some of really! Some settings having less strict standards than others about ethics any openings when done... In reality, this guess once she had enough of hands on of OT up with the post to so! A person using distance therapy be located in the United states ; other may! Out, and without other therapists to help show you the ropes to promote and! Transfer training can be a profession in demand have not found a position within OT that feels to...! this is the case thing I really admired about this in to a job with intense physical as... Advice or exercises to do a PhD later on you wanted to do at home in my (... Feeling frustrated or even downright miserable other interventions you do to address deficits... Something else of the reasons you wanted to respond about that negative Indeed link and the concern about....