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Higher education

Talk to other parents whose children are preparing for university on our Higher Education forum.

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Original poster

retraining as an Occupational therapy

20 replies

mamasmissionimpossible · 23/01/2013 22:23

I am currently a SAHM to 3 dc and have been for 7 years. I am really wanting to return to the workplace in the next few years. However, I have been out of work for so long I think I need to retrain.

I would really like to retrain as an occupational therapist. I have found a course about 45 mins by car from where we live. Does anyone know about the Msc in occupational therapy? I already have an undergraduate degree so would rather finish the course as quickly as I can and get out to work.

How feasible will it be with 3 dc, they are (7,5 and 11 months) I don't how I will manage placements/getting to uni and school drop off/pick up for the dc's. I don't have family nearby and my dh's job is not at all flexible at the moment.

I just don't know whether to invest in this or not, especially as I am not sure if there is even a job at the end of it all. However, I desperately want to do something for me and something I can eventually earn from to support our family.

OP posts:

herladyship · 23/01/2013 22:32

I'm an OT

I did part time degree @ Derby
It's 4 1/2 years, 1 day a week but with 3 x 10 week placements... DC were 9 & 3 when I started. I found it tough & would not have managed without DH working flexibly, my mum living nearby & some great friends!

Been qualified 6 years, band 7 now in a rapid response service & love it

Had some shared lectures with MSc students, their course seemed much more intense! I would say its not impossible, but you will need to be very prepared & have back up plans for childcare etc. as well as being mega organised & disciplined (not my strong points!)

NHS is not a great place to be a new graduate at the moment, but then I don't think jobs are flush in any area of work!

PiscesLondon · 24/01/2013 20:44

Great thread, I'm considering this career after some great advice from some lovely ladies on my thread. Watching with interest!

herladyship don't suppose you can be a freelance/self employed occupational therapist?

herladyship · 24/01/2013 21:00

You can, but usually need some work experience first.

I worked in trauma & orthopaedics for a long time, lots of work in this field as a consultant for insurance companies etc. also a lot of private work in paediatrics.

Can't beat the good old NHS though

herladyship · 24/01/2013 21:02

also, have a few friends who do agency work for £££ and are very happy.. Again, some work experience post grad is usually required

Original poster

mamasmissionimpossible · 24/01/2013 21:07

herladyship - thanks for your replies. Are you able to tell me anything about the training please. What are the placements like? How much study is there, will it involve a full working week?

I already have a degree, but would it be worth going for the Bsc as it is less intensive? The Bsc here is 4 years ft or 6 years pt. The MSc is 2 years. I like the idea of getting it over with quickly, but not sure I can handle the stress with 3 dc.

OP posts:

herladyship · 24/01/2013 21:15

Ooh, difficult call! 4 1/2 years felt like forever & only half the group finished.. Lots got married, got divorced, had babies, moved abroad 6 years seems unthinkable..

If you did 2 years, I think you'd be chanting the MN mantra "this too shall pass"

I'm not that academic, but found the work manageable so if you've got a degree you will probably be fine

Placements depend very much on where you are/who your supervisor is. I've got a student at the moment, we are the most laid back team on earth & as a parent myself I would try & offer 100% support to someone with young children (as it is, my student is 21... 3 years older than my DS )

herladyship · 24/01/2013 21:19

My friend who did MSc says it wasn't full time, but was sometimes awkward.. Eg. 5 days in uni but sometimes the lectures are only for 1 hour

Placements invariably 9-5 (ish) mon-fri. We are 7 day service 9-9 but students still do 9-5 weekdays only

fridayfreedom · 24/01/2013 21:36

It is a full on course balancing study with placements. You need to ask where the placements are as well. I trained in Derby , hmmm few years ago and got sent to Nottingham, Leicester andLincon. You can 't assume that will get the local placements as they will have others wanting local placements as well.
As said above jobs are tight at present but the qualification can take you into other non traditional roles as well.
You do need good experience before trying private practice, this needs to be more than just your placements.

Original poster

mamasmissionimpossible · 24/01/2013 21:44

It's the placements that worry me most. I started a BSc in speech and language but sadly wasn't able to finish, due to being pg with dd.

I remember the arguments amongst the students about who was staying in the local area for their placement. I didn;t have dc at the time, so I didn't understand why all the parents were fighting over the placements. Now I have dc I understand why you need to be local.

I really want to do this course, but I'm not sure whether to wait until my ds2 is in preschool and build up my experience in OT in the meantime. There are only 32 places on the course, and it is always very oversubscribed.

Shall I just apply and see what the university have to say about my current experience? I have a degree in psychology and completed 3 years of a 4 year Speech and language therapy BSc. Hopefully this will help with my application for OT. Any ideas?

OP posts:

herladyship · 24/01/2013 21:51

Some experience as an OT assistant until your littlest DC is older could definitely be an option, I was an assistant in community paediatrics & then in learning disabilities before I trained as an OT & even now that experience is useful

I studied at Derby but live in Lincolnshire, no one wanted placements here so all mine were within 20 mins of home! Placements closer to uni were much more popular

herladyship · 24/01/2013 21:53

Is there any option to finish SALT training? Or are you set on OT?

Original poster

mamasmissionimpossible · 24/01/2013 23:03

I would probably have to start the SALT training again as I have been out of it since 2007. There is an OT course near to my home, with 3 dc I need to consider the practicalities of travelling far from home. The SALT courses are all alot further away from home. I would prefer to do the OT course anyway.

OP posts:

Original poster

mamasmissionimpossible · 24/01/2013 23:13

herladyship - how would I get a job as an OT assistant please? Where are they advertised.

OP posts:

herladyship · 25/01/2013 08:20

There is a website called NHS jobs where all NHS vacancies can be seen online

You can register your email address & get alerts when specified jobs are advertised within a certain distance

Bakingnovice · 05/02/2013 19:51

This is something I will be doing in sept. I was offered a place last year but was unable to take it up. Its something I've always wanted to but. The course tutor asked to meet me following an email enquiry and she explained the course structure. It sounds full on but very interesting. I'm an ex lawyer (having just decided not to return to law after a year off) so anything would be more interesting!

varicoseveined · 08/02/2013 16:46

This is the career I'm interested in! I don't have a degree yet so my first step is applying for an access course in science (gulp!)

phinz · 20/02/2013 21:05

her ladyship - do you have any advice on how to get work shadowing with an OT? I've been on a department visit and had a chat with an OT but not been able to do any work shadowing.

herladyship · 20/02/2013 21:07

Usually you can contact OT department at local hospital? Whereabouts are you?

phinz · 21/02/2013 14:28

I'm in Manchester. I've rang all the local hospitals and they are committed to current students rather than potential students so I've hit a bit of a dead end.

varicoseveined · 04/03/2013 14:22

phinz - have you tried other settings such as special schools, nursing homes, etc?

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