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Original poster

Occupational therapy vs Adult nursing???

50 replies

chloe3215 · 31/10/2021 18:10

My DD would like to do occupational therapy or adult nursing at univeristy.
I told her it is her choice but she is still unsure about which one to choose.
I know that there are more jobs in nursing than ot.
Any help or suggestions would be grateful :)

OP posts:
weaselwords · 31/10/2021 18:16

There are more jobs in nursing but conditions tend to be better for OTs.

Original poster
chloe3215 · 31/10/2021 18:22

@weaselwords

There are more jobs in nursing but conditions tend to be better for OTs.
Which one should she do?
OP posts:
titchy · 31/10/2021 18:26

Not sure MN should be making that decision for her.Hmm If she's undecided she should consider taking a year out and getting some work experience in both areas to see what she has a greater affinity for.

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vdbfamily · 31/10/2021 18:32

I am going to massively generalise here but nurses and care assistants often have to rush people through their routines due to lack of time and because the OT role is usually to assess and encourage independence we often get more time to be with our patients, listen to what is important to them and then help them to achieve that. I have been an OT over 30 years and have loved every job I have done. It is also a very transferable qualification and you can work in many different areas.

Moonshine5 · 31/10/2021 18:41

They are both great options. Lots of clinician vacancies for both. Can't miss with either. Good luck

Original poster
chloe3215 · 31/10/2021 18:48

@Moonshine5

They are both great options. Lots of clinician vacancies for both. Can't miss with either. Good luck
Thank you :) I just worry about her as she is so undecisive (like me).
OP posts:
Original poster
chloe3215 · 31/10/2021 18:49

@vdbfamily

I am going to massively generalise here but nurses and care assistants often have to rush people through their routines due to lack of time and because the OT role is usually to assess and encourage independence we often get more time to be with our patients, listen to what is important to them and then help them to achieve that. I have been an OT over 30 years and have loved every job I have done. It is also a very transferable qualification and you can work in many different areas.
Thank you :) DD has ASD - she is wanting to learn to drive but may find it hard to do and therefore may not learn to drive. Will this affect what kind of job she can do?
OP posts:
Original poster
chloe3215 · 31/10/2021 18:51

@titchy

Not sure MN should be making that decision for her.Hmm If she's undecided she should consider taking a year out and getting some work experience in both areas to see what she has a greater affinity for.
Thank you :) She is trying to make it herself but she keeps changing her mind like the wind. She also thought about taking a year out and getting an HCA job but she does not have a BTEC in health and social so it will be difficult...
OP posts:
cptartapp · 31/10/2021 18:51

As a nurse of over 30 years who has missed many Christmas, New Years, Easter, Bank Holiday and weekend social occasions with family due to working, I would say think long term. Think about things that wouldn't normally be on your radar at 18.
IME the NHS doesn't encourage family friendly working, childcare at times to cover shift patterns has been a nightmare.
So not nursing.

WildHorsesRunInMe · 31/10/2021 18:51

I'm a nurse. If I had my time again I would have chosen to study in another healthcare related field so I would say go for occupational health.

BunNcheese · 31/10/2021 18:54

I work with both nurses and OT. Don't get me wrong OT can be busy... like all rolls but they just look like they have a more fun/happy work load to manage.

Silverjellybean71 · 31/10/2021 18:56

I’m a physio and if I had my time again I’d train as an OT. Lots and lots of opportunities in public and private sector, in all aspects of physical and mental health.

badgerswitharms · 31/10/2021 18:59

Honestly - they are very different. 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.

OT definitely has better work life balance and shifts etc. But probably less scope to work at higher clinical bands. If she wants a higher banded job in a clinical field I'd advise nursing.

Ots are also dual trained so can work in physical and mental health (and increasingly in 3rd sector).

I'm an OT and I love it, but I'm now frustrated that clinical jobs beyond band 7 are not really available for OTs in the same way they are for nurses and physios.

junebirthdaygirl · 31/10/2021 19:01

Most OTs don't work weekends or nights so that is a consideration. But my friend is an OT and she had to have her licence in her very first job... no discussion.
Thinking of your dd what way would she work best..l notice my friend who is an OT seems to work very much on her own, making decisions by herself. I feel with nursing its more of a team so with her ASD which would suit her way of doing things.
My friend loves being an OT and never complains. Lately l see a lot of nurses completely burnt out.

SilverOtter · 31/10/2021 19:01

Out of those two, I'd definitely pick OT. Better conditions/shifts.

Original poster
chloe3215 · 31/10/2021 19:14

@SilverOtter

Out of those two, I'd definitely pick OT. Better conditions/shifts.
I agree but there are more jobs in nursing = more oppotunities. It really is a catch 22 situation :)
OP posts:
Immaculatemisconception · 31/10/2021 19:16

I looked into both careers and chose nursing. Occupational Therapy didn't offer me the challenges I wanted. It's a very slow moving career, whereas in nursing there are many areas where every day had the challenges I wanted. In my career I have worked on wards, in theatres and theatre recovery. Theatre recovery was brilliant, as you never knew which patient you would be caring for next and I liked that. On the ward, if you were the designated ward for admissions, it was exciting.

It all depends what floats your boat.

Original poster
chloe3215 · 31/10/2021 19:16

@junebirthdaygirl

Most OTs don't work weekends or nights so that is a consideration. But my friend is an OT and she had to have her licence in her very first job... no discussion. Thinking of your dd what way would she work best..l notice my friend who is an OT seems to work very much on her own, making decisions by herself. I feel with nursing its more of a team so with her ASD which would suit her way of doing things. My friend loves being an OT and never complains. Lately l see a lot of nurses completely burnt out.
Yeah that is true. She is looking at learning to drive so just hope she wants to continue with it. She does work independently most of the time at school - she hates working with other classes where she has no friends so working on her own would not be an issue. I agree - most nurses are burn out at the minute
OP posts:
Nonicknamesforcatapillars · 31/10/2021 19:17

I’m currently a degree apprentice studying to be an OT. I work in an acute hospital and am ward based, so work along side many nurses.

You honestly couldn’t pay me enough to be a staff nurse. Don’t get me wrong the do a wonderful job, but it relentless and stressful. OT can be stressful too, we’re also always under staffed, so work loads have to be massively prioritised. But it’s not as constant as nursing.

There are lots of interesting nurse specialist jobs, but having to be a staff nurse first would just put me off.

Also I love OT. You get to spend more time with your patients. You’re their advocate and you really make a difference in a really positive way to peoples lives. You get to be creative and autonomous, putting plans in place to help people regain/ retain their independence as much as possible. You can also work in so so many varied areas.

So yeah, OT all the way.

Mossstitch · 31/10/2021 19:19

There are plenty of vacancies in both roles. However, I notice you said your daughter is indecisive, the main role of an OT in a hospital setting is to make the decision as to whether the patient is safe to discharge home and make a plan if not, they will probably be the only OT on a ward and it is quite a responsibility. The nursing role is more prescriptive and usually somebody else on the ward to ask for support/help so I imagine would suit a person with ASD better. There are, however, many varied roles in both professions to change to if one doesn't suit. One of my children is a nurse who hated ward work but he has found a niche role that suits him. Maybe she needs to try to get a volunteer role on a ward to see what all the different professions do before she decides.

Original poster
chloe3215 · 31/10/2021 19:19

@badgerswitharms

Honestly - they are very different. 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.

OT definitely has better work life balance and shifts etc. But probably less scope to work at higher clinical bands. If she wants a higher banded job in a clinical field I'd advise nursing.

Ots are also dual trained so can work in physical and mental health (and increasingly in 3rd sector).

I'm an OT and I love it, but I'm now frustrated that clinical jobs beyond band 7 are not really available for OTs in the same way they are for nurses and physios.

Thank you :) I think she would not want a band 7 or 8 job as there is more responsbility than band 5 or 6. How did you go into OT - did you go to uni? Great to hear you enjoy what you do
OP posts:
Original poster
chloe3215 · 31/10/2021 19:21

@WildHorsesRunInMe

I'm a nurse. If I had my time again I would have chosen to study in another healthcare related field so I would say go for occupational health.
May I ask why? Is it the constant burnout?
OP posts:
badgerswitharms · 31/10/2021 19:21

What about physio? I'd say nursing and physio are more closely aligned and more jobs and opportunities in physio. Tho I think it's very competitive

Original poster
chloe3215 · 31/10/2021 19:22

@cptartapp

As a nurse of over 30 years who has missed many Christmas, New Years, Easter, Bank Holiday and weekend social occasions with family due to working, I would say think long term. Think about things that wouldn't normally be on your radar at 18. IME the NHS doesn't encourage family friendly working, childcare at times to cover shift patterns has been a nightmare. So not nursing.
I agree :) However, there are more jobs in nursing than OT
OP posts:
badgerswitharms · 31/10/2021 19:22

@WildHorsesRunInMe

I'm a nurse. If I had my time again I would have chosen to study in another healthcare related field so I would say go for occupational health.
Occupational health usually is a nurse! With some extra qualifications.