AIBU to want to become an Occupational Therapist at 42

[shamalangadingdong]

I'd also love to hear from other people that are working as OT's

Most of my working life, until I had children, was as an IT Account Manager. I decided that corporate life is not for me and seeing having a family I have worked part-time doing not particularly challenging jobs while studying an OU degree in Health and Social Care. I was so pleased to get a First.

I had no idea where I wanted the degree to take, me but it was just an area that I was very interested in. My Mum was diagnosed with a chronic illness in her early 30's, as a result we came into contact with lots of health professionals. I also understood from a young age how illness in families can impact the whole family. I believe I'm a good communicator, empathetic, caring and a great problem solver.

For the last year I have been topping up my other part-time job working a shift as a Support Worker with people with Learning Disabilities....and I love it. I get so much satisfaction from it and it makes me feel happy to know that I am making a difference to someone life. I have come into contact with Occupational Therapists while at work and this is a role I would really love to do. I have looked at MSc (Pre Registration) in Occupational Therapy at a nearby University. It is two years long with clinical placements. I feel really excited at the thought of doing this course and I believe I meet the criteria. I am really looking at a career that can take me through to retirement age, the thought of working in my old career leaves me feeling cold. I also know there is lots of scope for further study and to specialise once qualified. I've become stuck in a rut the last few years, doing a part-time job (not the support worker) that doesn't challenge me or make me happy but works around school hours.

I can't help but feel, however, that I am too old. I would be nearly 45 years old by the time I qualify. My husband and extended family have said that they will do everything they can do to support me to do this i.e family members helping out with childcare etc. The thing that is holding me back is confidence but I know that if I don't do this course, I will be stuck in a rut for the long term.

@riotlady
Sorry, one last question. How do the terms work? I think the course is something like 46 weeks and I believe the placements fall over the summer months. I'm interested in this point as at the moment I am expecting to have to organise childcare for all of the summer holidays.

@GarlicMonkey Thanks for that, you inspire me.

@bruffin
Thanks for that, it sounds as if your daughter has had some interesting placements.

I'm 52 and have a thirty year history of Nursing. Does anyone know if there is a shortened course for people with a health care qualification?

I would go for it

You will not be the oldest of the course I’m quite sure. Most I know love the role (I work in MH)

And you have many years ahead of your working doing a job you enjoy and get satisfaction from is so rewarding and makes you feel good about yourself

What uni are you applying to? When I was applying for my msc (pre reg) UAE warned placements might be further afield and they recommended you might want to move to accommodation in kings lynn for example.

I went to Leeds and my placements were Leeds/wakefield but that could easily be an hour from where I lived in north Leeds. Increasingly they want you to follow your supervisors work pattern eg lates/weekends but there is some allowance made for caring responsibilities/paid work.

Also I'd echo you won't be old on the course. Also I'd say most people doing the Msc are mature in their attitudes so everyone bonds very well and is respectful of the experience and attributes each student brings. They tend to be small cohorts and due to the intensity of the course I found it very supportive.

I qualified 10 years ago, the vast majority are still working as OTs with varying job satisfaction!

[quote shamalangadingdong]@riotlady
Sorry, one last question. How do the terms work? I think the course is something like 46 weeks and I believe the placements fall over the summer months. I'm interested in this point as at the moment I am expecting to have to organise childcare for all of the summer holidays.[/quote]
It will vary a bit depending on where you do your course, but we get a couple of weeks at Easter, summer and Christmas. I wouldn’t normally have placement over the summer, this year everything has been turned a bit topsy turvy!

You won’t be off for the full 6 weeks of the summer but at least on my course July + August is usually a quieter time so you wouldn’t need full cover, especially if your kids are secondary school age and you can do a bit of studying while they’re around.

OT is predominately women and there’s quite a lot of flexible/part time working, so I’ve found tutors and placement educators are generally a bit flexible with childcare stuff- eg I’ve done 8-4 on some placements instead of 9-5 to make nursery pickup easier.

Also agree that placements try to take into account commute and responsibilities but sometimes you can get a lengthy commute- my previous one was 1.5 hours each way (had no car so all public transport), current one is 20 mins

If you haven’t found it already there’s a fb group called OT students get connected where you’ll probably be able to find people who are doing the course at the uni you want to go to

Do it do it do it!! I’m currently completing my Return to Practice as an OT as I left for a couple of years due to ill health but I love it. Fab profession, so rewarding. Join BAOT to get a feel for what’s going on. Start listening to podcasts like MDTea and maybe see if you can have a day at a hospital. Good luck.

Hi OP,

I recommend you go for it too. I am starting my 3rd year of an AHP degree in 3 weeks and will be 47 when i qualify, so from my perspective you are not too old!

Health care courses do attract more mature students and although I am amongst the oldest on my course it hasn't held me back either in uni or out on placement, in a lot of situations it has been a positive.

I do 1500 hours of placement over 3 years and did find it hard sometimes, but love it now. I am purely hospital based so felt like a fish out of water for quite some time in year 1.

I can't wait to qualify now and am already doing some bank work in the area I am studying. Our students get 100% employment after graduating, so i am hoping I will find a job quickly next year.

Good luck, do it, and enjoy.

I think it sounds perfect. You have the support of your family and that's the most important!

I'm a paediatric nurse but would love to be a paediatric OT. Go for it!

Go for it! OTs are so valuable but are like unicorns in many parts of the country.

I'm 33, been an OT for the last 6 years. You've got to do it, it's one of the best jobs!!! Feel free to PM me if you want to discuss.

Hi another OT here,
Qualified 3 years ago, after a change of career in my 30s and absolutely was the best thing I ever did. Half of the students on my course were over 30, quite a few in 40s and 50s. Lots of life experience and transferable skills and thoroughly enjoyed the course. As a single parent, my uni were very understanding and accommodating for placements. I didn’t travel outside of my city though quite a few students are expected to.
Having a good network of support helps with picking the kids up after school and do expect evenings and weekends to be taken up with assignments/ reading.
I loved the course though, but don’t expect like others have said that you’ll qualify and have all the skills. Occupational Therapists can work in SO many areas (nhs/ council/ charity/ schools/ across the life span/ mental/ physical health) it’s just impossible to teach it all!
Uni will prepare you with the occupational science/ ethos and values and core skills of an OT - thinking activity analysis, grading, goal setting, adaptations but a lot of it is theory and models which is interesting.
Placements are your chance to learn the practical skills and assessments based in whichever area you’re put but don’t be disheartened if you don’t have the opportunity to experience a placement in the area you’re interested - lots of opportunities to shadow, attend events and training, network online etc.

I would recommend getting your hands on Jennifer Creek: Occupational Therapy defined as a complex intervention as a good taster read :)
Good luck and you won’t regret it!!

@Blueshoess

Hi another OT here, Qualified 3 years ago, after a change of career in my 30s and absolutely was the best thing I ever did. Half of the students on my course were over 30, quite a few in 40s and 50s. Lots of life experience and transferable skills and thoroughly enjoyed the course. As a single parent, my uni were very understanding and accommodating for placements. I didn’t travel outside of my city though quite a few students are expected to. Having a good network of support helps with picking the kids up after school and do expect evenings and weekends to be taken up with assignments/ reading. I loved the course though, but don’t expect like others have said that you’ll qualify and have all the skills. Occupational Therapists can work in SO many areas (nhs/ council/ charity/ schools/ across the life span/ mental/ physical health) it’s just impossible to teach it all! Uni will prepare you with the occupational science/ ethos and values and core skills of an OT - thinking activity analysis, grading, goal setting, adaptations but a lot of it is theory and models which is interesting. Placements are your chance to learn the practical skills and assessments based in whichever area you’re put but don’t be disheartened if you don’t have the opportunity to experience a placement in the area you’re interested - lots of opportunities to shadow, attend events and training, network online etc.

I would recommend getting your hands on Jennifer Creek: Occupational Therapy defined as a complex intervention as a good taster read :)
Good luck and you won’t regret it!!

Creek! Brings back memories!

My OT is recently qualified and I'd estimate her to be mid 40s - she says it's been life changing and does seem to love her job.
I have a nursing background however retired due to ill health now. When I was training the ages ranged from 18-52 the majority were 35+ with a family and previous careers. When I was qualified the students I taught that did well on placement were usually older and had life experience. Now as a patient I can tell some have real life experience and it shows in how they handle situations. I'd go for it. Life is to short for what ifs. Your confidence will grow with experience and feedback. The fact you have these worries means you'll probably make a very good OT.

I’m an occupational therapist and when I trained there were a lot of ‘mature students’ some in their 50’s and possibly even 60’s! It’s a career where life experience is really valuable, more so than academic achievement. You sound like you would be in a really good position to get on the course!
I did a 4 year honours degree and it was a lot of work, we were in class a lot more than friends doing other subjects and full time placements which could have been anywhere in Scotland. I’m not sure how accommodating they can/will be with regards placements close to home etc? Maybe something you could look into.

I've been an OT for far too long now, but when I studied there was a huge mixture of ages in my course. I believe the MSc course is even more so. Plus I think the work ethic on the MSc course is better. My class was a mixture of school leavers - me included and my focus wasn't always on studying - I wanted the full uni/student experience. It is a full on course, we had long days at uni, lots of assignments and then obviously the placements as well. Plus the uni I was at sent us on placements anywhere they could get one - I was sent on one which was 200 miles away from my uni and it wasnt debatable. Another was 80 miles from uni. Both times I had to pay for accommodation on top of the rent I was already paying. I think they tried to accommodate/prioritise people who had childcare etc and keep them in the local area!
I'm a bit old and cynical now and don't always enjoy my job. But it's like any career - there are bits you enjoy and bits you don't (far too much paperwork and non clinical tasks) however when I go back to the cre philosophy of OT and what we could be doing, it really is a wonderful, misunderstood profession!
We've too long to be working and you want to make sure you are doing something you enjoy! 20 years is still a long time - so go for it if it's what you fancy!

I have been qualified as OT for just over a year - I was 42 when I finished the course. We had a couple of 50 year plus olds. Good luck!

My DD is 20, she is far an away the youngest on the course, loads are in their 30s and 40s.
She has had placements in the community and medium secure unit, hoping for a hospital based one or rehab in her final year, starting in Sept.

You'd be mad not too, after all, whats the alternative?

@carmelsundae

I've been an OT for far too long now, but when I studied there was a huge mixture of ages in my course. I believe the MSc course is even more so. Plus I think the work ethic on the MSc course is better. My class was a mixture of school leavers - me included and my focus wasn't always on studying - I wanted the full uni/student experience. It is a full on course, we had long days at uni, lots of assignments and then obviously the placements as well. Plus the uni I was at sent us on placements anywhere they could get one - I was sent on one which was 200 miles away from my uni and it wasnt debatable. Another was 80 miles from uni. Both times I had to pay for accommodation on top of the rent I was already paying. I think they tried to accommodate/prioritise people who had childcare etc and keep them in the local area! I'm a bit old and cynical now and don't always enjoy my job. But it's like any career - there are bits you enjoy and bits you don't (far too much paperwork and non clinical tasks) however when I go back to the cre philosophy of OT and what we could be doing, it really is a wonderful, misunderstood profession! We've too long to be working and you want to make sure you are doing something you enjoy! 20 years is still a long time - so go for it if it's what you fancy!

I could have written this word for word lol

Hi, I'm an OT and had a student last year in their 50s. My advice would be to do it, it's the best job ever.