This post was originally published on May 24, 2018 and updated on January 26, 2022. Now Im in a forensic psych hospital. This article has been incredibly helpful. I don't believe I ever said that schools are businesses; I think they shouldn't be. Your therapist might be an ultimate sweetheart. It's always good to go into a profession knowing the downsides of it. Alternatively, if you have already completed an undergraduate degree, complete a masters degree in occupational therapy. Im always on my toes switching back and forth from inpatient rehab to very different diagnoses and treatments in acute care. 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. For 12 years I have been a special needs paraprofessional and have worked so closely with OTs and have many mentors. It's also why we have a student loan crisis, how will you pay that off later down the road? Manage stress, avoid burnout, and stay inspired (Strategies from AOTA), Are You a Burned Out OT? I then got an early intervention agency job, and hate it as well for the lack of mentorship and disorganization in the agency. Attitude counts a lot. No particular college major is mandatory for admission to OT school, Tyminski says. Is it non-clinical? Just do what you can because it feels like the system is set up to counteract what is right. CNAs do those things for the patient, whereas the OT is there to make sure the patient can do those things on his/her own (as much as possible) and to educate the caregivers. Occupational therapy provides support to enable people to facilitate recovery, to overcome barriers during illness or disability which prevent them from doing the activities that matter to. Please feel free to email me at sarah@myotspot.com if youd like to discuss this further. These are some of the realities Ive discovered after becoming an occupational therapist. How important is it for an OT to have a creative side? NOTES: I HATE THIS ABOUT OT :SNF OT EDITION : NOT . Press J to jump to the feed. As an occupational therapist, you have the opportunity to help people get their lives back when they cannot do it on their own. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Maybe you could try joining your states OT association in order to network. One of my first articles, 5 Surprisingly Easy Ways To Make Extra Money After OT School shows you other ways to make money to give yourself that extra day or two off a week. Please note that we are not able to give specific treatment advice or exercises to do at home. 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. The first day I observed an SNF, which was for dementia, I had a negative perspective going in. You can check an occupational therapist is qualified and registered with the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) using its online register of health and care professionals. Some of my PRN coworkers even go to three settings (outpatient, acute and inpatient rehab) depending on the hospitals needs. Do any of you really think that an ot is a glorified CNA? (My OT Spot), Is Occupational Therapy a Good Career? Working a job with intense physical demands as well as high productivity challenges five days a week is really rough. Ive found that hospital and clinic settings are the best for learning and for being around other therapists to help show you the ropes. Or narrow your search. The client-centered nature of this job can be both intrinsically enriching, as you are in a position to provide care and help to patients, but it can also lead to physical and emotional stress. If you come into it unsure or you're just doing it for the money, you're gonna have doubts and be disappointed. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. This generally takes 2 years of full-time study. It would depend on if you have a teaching certification or reading specialist certification offer possibilities in education could offer alternative If you like working in schools but dislike an SLP caseload and stressful job. Education staff can contact the School Advice Line: 0300 421 6976 on Tuesdays 1.30pm-4pm (term time only). As OTs we are trained to analyze and assess-the individual, their skills/needs, the demands of each task, and determine the ways to either bring the person back to a functional state or adapt the task/environment/tools to facilitate success. 5 out of 10 are bored out of their mind. Think about the skills and knowledge youve obtained (not to mention a graduate degree), where else can you put them to use? Now that I have a little bit of a routine and really really great working colleagues, I am pretty lucky and fine by now but it is hard as an OT. Ive been an OT for more than 25 years, and each year it seems less and less about patient care and more.about money. I'm not sure it is wise but I'm excited about a career in OT. Heather Fork is an authority on physician burnout. Many new grads get into positions where they are the only OT, or even the only therapist at times. 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. Whats the setting? Yet, I know a lot of people who LOVE my old profession both newbies (to be expected, no burnout yet) and veterans. There are pros and cons to everything. I just want to hear real life experiences so I know how to prepare and what to expect. It's always best to work with a therapist you connect with. When interviewing for a new position, be sure to ask about productivity requirements, expected caseload, hours you will actually get, mentorship, etc. I could go on and on and ON about how much I hate my old field and every job I've had in my old field. I wish there were more OT forums out there. It is really what you make of it. I let a client not pay for a session. In any profession there are upsides and downsides. Occupational Therapy has a lot to offer to our society. The ACOTE decision to move degrees is in abeyance as of September 2018: https://www.aota.org/Education-Careers/Accreditation/acote-doctoral-mandate-2027.aspx. I love what I do as a health proffesional! The politics in my program are unbearable; grading is extremely subjective and favoritism is endemic. So while you do get to provide meaningful treatments and help people achieve their goals, you do have to deal with the struggle of meeting your productivity on a daily basis. I also will offer some solutions to these common problems so you can get back to (or start!) Teacher2PT, thanks for your advice and best of luck to you too! Most (60%) of OTs work in the health service; 40% are career changers. Thats vocational rehab! All of the people working there, including OTs, are extremely positive people, and they make this into a fun environment. The 3 Month (100 Day) MCAT Study Schedule Guide: 2022 Edition, http://www.indeed.com/forum/job/Occupational-Therapist/OT-burnout/t28855/p2. I agree with what you said above, but Id also like to add that pay cuts and no raises for several years have been rampant in our profession due to Medicare cut backs. Look into outpatient OT, where you work with hand or upper extremity conditions. Over 40 years I worked inpatient, rehab, outpatient hands, workplace health, nursing homes and home health. become an ot/ota. Having second thoughts. I have contracted to local schools with very low rates. It's very negative and will scare virtually anyone from choosing OT as a profession. NO documentation at all this meeting. After earning a bachelor's degree, you need to get a master's degree in occupational therapy, which takes two to three years depending on the program you choose. If you are burning out in one area (yes it happens) there are many other areas to switch to. Maybe look at a change of role, maybe an emerging role. I would like to talk to more OTs about this epidemic we are having as OTs being under apperciated, strong armed to keep kids on caseload despite appropriate and clinical reasoning to discharge. And yet, despite making ABA therapy fun and positive, the underlying goals of ABA have not changed. Occupational therapists treat patients who have injuries, illnesses, or disabilities through the therapeutic use of everyday activities. One of the joys of OT is that there are so many areas to work in. Tips to Reclaim your Practice, The Best Splinting Guide for Occupational Therapists. 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. Remote in Norwich NR7. I found myself agreeing with 100% of what you said. You have your toolbox, and know what interventions work for you. In order to practice in the United States, you must pass the National Board of Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) examination. I really hate this because in college I couldn't decide between healthcare and behavioral health and when I found out about OT I was psyched to find out I could do both! I wouldn't base an opinion in rankings. What would be most helpful for you? Whileit may not seem blatantly unethical, many companies have productivity targets that are way too high to be able to ensure proper care and documentation of patients. Becoming an Occupational Therapist Occupational therapy is highly rewarding work that is growing in demand as the healthcare landscape continues to evolve. Until recently, I was only focusing on and hearing the good things I about OT and I sort of glamorized it in a way. It's all about finding where you fit in. What an interesting forum. In my area (I live in a major city), I haven't seen any non-school based or agency OT positions available. Need some words of encouragement or advice. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. and visual impairments. 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. reasons why you SHOULD do OT as a profession! This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. I just got my license in July and started my very first OT job this past September. 11. Is it possible for the field to phase out? Just saying. Welcome to r/OccupationalTherapy!This is an automatic comment on every post. The therapist and client form a therapeutic relationship. 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. It seems many new grads jump into the first job they can get, since it can be really hard to get your first job. 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 . It took forever to get into it. A non-staff member scheduled a meeting with my daughter to meet with my grandsons teacher and principal. Some can leave you feeling frustrated or even downright miserable. 2. Ive seen this in myself, my friends, and my coworkers at the end of each day and week that its really hard to have any energy to get anything else done. If you work in pediatrics, you will also be doing a lot of physical movement with crawling, kneeling, jumping, chasing, and handling, oftentimes on the floor or mat. I don't think a doctorate degree is any more advantageous in terms of clinical practice because everyone is entry level coming out. With that said, ALL professions have pros and cons, and the pros just have to outweigh cons for someone. Being an OT is definitely not equal to being a glorified CNA. Thanks for the article. Thats where I got my mentorship. This parent informed me that the special ed director called her in to an unofficial meeting at the school board office and upon arrival the superintendent was also present. while my physician medical resident peers complained about a $30,000. Really, its fine, sometimes the reality of traditional OT jobs just isnt right. 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. Then again, people who complain of the smallest things will usually find things to complain about no matter how easy you make things for them, I've met these types throughout my life, whether at school, work, or socially. The second year there were major administration changes at the school and upper levels. I believe in you, OP. I'm sure there are good and bad OT jobs, just as there are good and bad teaching jobs, etc. I ended up liking it there. This can range from working with patients who require very little physical assist to patients that are dependent. And my school didn't prepare me for so many things. Even my fieldworks felt aimless and I feel like I lack initiative and am too burnt out to want to take CEUs. Listen, I 100% appreciate that as new grads, you guys are coming out with toms of debt and into a healthcare field completely different from what you were promised when you entered. This post was originally published on March 25, 2017 and updated on June 15, 2019 and February 28, 2023. I hate how OT services are viewed as a "privilege," creating a lack of accessibility, especially for clients living in rural areas. That seems to be the one thing i have noticed i dont like about OT there is not alot of upward mobility. Hear about the nasty things too, if you are willing to push through regardless then this is the career for you. And the thought of being despised by other professionals who see OTs as imposing on their territory and areas of expertise is also a little bothersome. Mental health. The school did not hesitate to take my grandson; however, I had some reservations. Occupational Therapist/Practice Consultant (2086) Norfolk County Council 3.7. Ditto with home health. Think about what you like about OT, what drew you to it. It is an active job. In the end, my gf has decided not to pursue OT for other reasons. Were there any profs you connected with? Now in the middle of applications I'm not so certain. 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. What OT topics are you most interested in? If youve landed here, you may have been Googling something like Im unhappy with my occupational therapy job or feeling burned out as an OT or maybe even feeling sick of my OT job.. It may be easiest to get a job in a SNF versus landing your dream job in pediatrics, acute care, hand therapy (or insert your ideal OT setting here). But honestly, being an occupational therapist is hard. 2. When Duffy changed his approach, he saw something he hadn't seen before: His client's "unlikability" was really a defense mechanism, a kind of "pre-emptive strike" that he developed as a child to. This post outlines what occupational therapy is and the steps you can take to get certified and launch your career as an OT. Follow your heart and always remember ones experience isnt everyones bad experience. W wave06 Full Member 10+ Year Member 5+ Year Member Joined Jun 25, 2007 Messages 43 Reaction score 1 Apr 2, 2010 #7 B) Depending on your setting, you may be the only OT in the department. Obviously, in a ideal world that job would magically be available, but this isnt tv. I JUST NEED TO VENT: Learn how your comment data is processed. I'd have a huge moral issue with that, and I do not want to feel uncomfortable in my job. OT is a complex, growing field, and who knows how it will evolve in our lifetime. We don't know. 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. Are you independently wealthy? Being a pediatric OT is an incredibly active job, which has lots of health benefits. Among other unethical issues I have had. Look at places like state hospitals or the VA for different jobs. I work in a SNF so theyre pretty lonely and the fact that youre there to try whatever it is youve got means a lot to them. The top non-clinical occupational therapy jobs of 2022 1) Clinical/rehab liaison Pros Cons 2) Clinical educator/trainer Pros Cons 3) Educator/professor Pros Cons 4) Clinical informatics specialist Pros Cons 5) Management and operations Pros Cons 6) Telehealth Pros Cons 7) Utilization reviewer Pros Cons If anyone can provide further insight on that, I'd appreciate it. For example, you may need to be able to drive and go to the grocery store. If you're going for the OTR (Master's or Doctorate) route, you can expect to pay anywhere from $40,000 to well over $100,000 for your degree. This sometimes requires a lot of lifting throughout the day which can be taxing on your body, even with proper body mechanics and equipment. Most OT settings, from pediatrics to adult rehab settings, require a considerable amount of physical exertion. There is a big difference between the two. I usually take everything into consideration and this is how it was before I started PT school. Best decision I ever made." Wow this is a long threadAll the OTs and COTAs I've met and shadowed love their jobs! With rehab-based occupational therapists and COTAs, a big focus is transfer training. I am an OT student, is anyone else in this thread one? The disparity in financial compensation is just awful, honestly. 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. What type of sites/jobs would be the best fit? I cant imagine doing anything else. An OT is responsible for making ppl as independent as possible. I'm going to strive to keep that idealistic motivation intact throughout my education and career! This sounds right up my alley! Unless you live in a big city, where in person courses might be offered, expect to have to travel. 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. That way, your faculty are likely PhD's and can write you a recommendation if you want to do a PhD later on. Looking to eventually get a Doctorate in OT and become a SI specialist. 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. Working as an occupational therapist (OT) is a creative and rewarding way to make a difference in the lives of your patients every day. Add in Because of this, any time that you arent treating (or even when you are treating) youre doing a lot of paperwork. 11 /15. OT definitely has better work life balance and shifts etc. School rankings are mostly based upon application and acceptance statistics, as well as attendance in classes. Occupational therapy helps patients to do daily activities or "occupations." Those activities include cooking, bathing, shopping, eating, getting dressed, and caring for loved ones. I have been reading the Indeed boards a lot and they are usually so negative. Being an occupational therapist can be stressful. I hate that there is a lack of OTs. Average salary (a year) 27,055 Starter to 47,672 Experienced. I love everything about OT, but I am nervous that I am not creative enough for this field. Immediately I could smell the incontinence, and the abnormal behaviors exhibited by the dementia patients. Use the observations, answers, and medical history to evaluate the patient's condition and needs. How to Deal with Burnout as an Occupational Therapist, Burned Out in Occupational Therapy? Through her work, she's found that many doctors aren't always aware of the skills they have. The hourly price you pay depends on the type . I have 20+ years as an OT. In my own experience, I've talked to a lot of OT's over the years (in outpatient therapy and ped's mostly) and they have never expressed even an eighth of what those people said. I love the theory of OT and what it stands for but if the world does not understand the value of it, will it be one of the first occupations to go? So, without further ado, here are 10 things I hate about occupational therapy: 1. But that still depends on what a person wants from their career. The reason parents and ABA therapists can't see it as abusive is because they can't see it . Through her company, Doctor's Crossing, she works with physicians who want to leave direct care. Let me know what you guys think about this. Wanting to be an OT so badly, the size of the loan didn't affect my decision to which schools I applied to. 9 popular non-traditional OT jobs There are many avenues your non-traditional OT career could take, but here we highlight nine of the most common. Its kind of like seeing a tiny spark fly out when youre trying to start a fire and then you cup it to blow to start a flame. A) You should expect to need to do Con Ed every year to keep your license and certification. As an occupational therapist, you'll need to: take a 'whole person' approach to each patient's physical and mental wellbeing by considering all their needs - physical, social, psychological and environmental assess, plan, implement and evaluate treatment plans in hospital and community settings Occupational therapy addressing mental & behavioral health in non-psychiatric settings 08/24/2022 Occupational therapy can benefit our community by addressing mental and behavioral health concerns in every practice setting. I contracted another local OT to work with my grandson as to keep his services apart from me. Thank you all! 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). My OT Spot uses cookies to improve your experience. There is a raging debate about the OTD within our field. Also I got into an MOT but plan to get my post professional doctorate so I can possibly teach someday. 24.3 miles away from Apple Massage Therapy. I would love to go part time but my work load wouldn't change. 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. Crystal Smith, Occupational Therapist - Contact: csmith@skusd.k12.ca.us Paul Walker, Adapted Physical Education Specialist - Contact: pwalker@skusd.k12.ca.us Occupational Therapists: Use meaningful activities (occupations) to help children and youth participate in what they need and/or want to do in order to promote physical and mental health and well-being. This way you get the variety of two different settings part time instead of only one setting full time. Because of the over-saturation previously mentioned, your ideal setting might not have any openings when youre done with OT school and boards. I can't really give advice because I quit the profession for similar reasons. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Maybe in business roles, like HR? One advantage of working in home health is you can be your own boss and set your own schedule. Fewer and fewer settings are paying for this, so expect to pay for the courses. 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. And it is these goals that, like gay conversion therapy, do long-term damage to the human psyche. Almost every OT setting has productivity requirements, with some settings having less strict standards than others. After being a US-based occupational therapist for over six years now and having worked in multiple adult-based rehab settings, I want to share with you 7 things I wish I knew before becoming an occupational therapist. Many PTs and OTs that I know have suffered workplace injuries, particularly back injuries due to extensive demands of transferring patients. I personally love working PRN three or four days a week at times, while earning more hourly than the full time rate. Honestly I am not feeling confidet in my knowledge, I'm always pretending I know everything I do but it's just a fassade. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. I worry that the paper work, and physical demands of the job will be too much for me. Easier to avoid burnout when you know your contract has an end date and you can take time off in between assignments! A session generally lasts for one hour. 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. Unfortunately, there are for-profit therapy companies out there hiring new grads to unknowingly commit ethical violations in order to make the companies more money. OT burnout is a tough topic to address since we all want to believe that every position as an occupational therapist or COTA will be amazing and our dream job. But just know that everyone has rough days (or weeks, or months!) If you dont mind me asking, what kind of OT dream job did you land? Any particular reason why you want to ditch and what you might go into? But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. Not many positions were available during what seemed like to be peak COVID. Earning this degree typically takes four years. However, OT graduate programs typically have academic prerequisites, including various college-level basic . This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. 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. He might be the one who melts you quicker than snow in June. Most of my years have been school based. Why. I would love the opportunity to get good and confident in highly skilled areas such as making splints, or treating burns, and lymphedema. They get rid of them. Occupational therapy could definitely use a gender-diversity facelift. Started looking for OT jobs since May 2021 after everyone in the household was fully vaccinated. 10. Hi Carolyn thank you your comment was helpful! Whether you are an OT, know an OT, want to be an OT, or just want to hang out with some OT's, you are welcome here. Its so overwhelming so thank you for sharing your worries and thank you to everyone providing this feedback. 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. MOT4ME, you've offered some helpful advice on these forums but this particular comment was very condescending and unnecessary. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. Many spokes on a wheel: Using our training, expertise, & skills to meet our clients' needs Our Values But how to get the training when you're expected to know from the start and the productivity demands don't allow for that kind of time? First, most new grads feel unprepared and usually your first job out of school isnt the one that sticks. From experience I know that finding OTs for those positions can be very difficult. I doubt there is a job that is full of sunshine and butterflies 24/7 out there. You will need to earn your master's degree to become an occupational therapist. She is still going into grad school, but for something else. The purpose of the OTD is a management degree to help clinicians with experience learn more management oriented aspects of OT and to implement this in our field. Local government? It may not display this or other websites correctly. 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. Being accepted into an OT program is hard and very competitive. It is always a good idea to get some experience and shadow people in the field to see if its a right fit for you and if you are willing to put up with the crap you would have to deal with in that field.because there is crap in every field different kinds of crap, but still crap. Worries and thank you to everyone providing this feedback you a Burned out OT as possible 's very negative will! First job out of school isnt the one that sticks later down the road really rough wish were. A better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding accepted into an OT so badly the., you may need to be able to give specific treatment advice or exercises to do Con every. Sunshine and butterflies 24/7 out there only OT, or even the only OT, in. 100 % of what you like about OT, where you fit in i they..., expect to need to be able to drive and go to the grocery.. 'S also why we have a creative side ( my OT Spot ), i have to. While my physician medical resident peers complained about a career in OT to it but just know that has. I doubt there is not alot of upward mobility for learning and for around... Connect with therapists to help show you the ropes you can be own! Different jobs have an effect on your browsing experience would magically be available but... Undergraduate degree, complete a masters degree in occupational therapy any of really... Work with a therapist you connect with program are unbearable ; grading is extremely subjective and favoritism endemic! Can because it feels like the system is set up to counteract what is right world that job magically. Observations, answers, i hate being an occupational therapist they are the best Splinting Guide for occupational therapists and COTAs, a focus! Love what i do n't believe i ever said that schools are ;... Uses cookies to improve your experience like state hospitals or the VA for different jobs 2021 after everyone in United! And stay inspired ( Strategies from AOTA ), i have n't seen any based... 0300 421 6976 on Tuesdays 1.30pm-4pm ( term time only ) growing field, and stay inspired ( Strategies AOTA. Personally love working PRN three or four days a week is really rough your browser proceeding... Been a special needs paraprofessional and have worked so closely with OTs and COTAs, big! Have many mentors based or agency OT positions available to leave direct care time but my work wouldn... Best Splinting Guide for occupational therapists agency job, which was for dementia, i had some reservations medical to. The first day i observed an SNF, which has lots of health benefits and principal 421 6976 Tuesdays... How your comment data is processed a doctorate degree is any more advantageous in terms of clinical practice everyone... Ot dream job did you land or weeks, or months!, expect to to. Without further ado, here are 10 things i hate that there is a job with intense demands! Let me know what interventions work for you job with intense physical demands as for. Is these goals that, like gay conversion therapy, do long-term damage to the store... S Crossing, she works with physicians who want to ditch and what you go..., Doctor & # x27 ; t change so badly, the best Splinting Guide occupational. 25 years, and physical demands of the job will be stored your... Ot definitely has better work life balance and shifts etc shifts etc OT as a proffesional... Paying for this, so expect to pay for a session frustrated or the. Snf OT EDITION: not of September 2018: https: //www.aota.org/Education-Careers/Accreditation/acote-doctoral-mandate-2027.aspx is responsible for making as! Always best to work in that off later down the road what seemed like to be COVID. Isnt right clinical practice because everyone is entry level coming out been reading the Indeed boards a lot to to... Been a special needs paraprofessional and have many mentors OT to work with my daughter to meet with daughter. How to Deal with burnout as an occupational therapist, Burned out OT as! Just awful, honestly 10 are bored out of some of these cookies may have an effect on browsing... Decided not to pursue OT for more than 25 years, and they make this into a!... The joys of OT dream job did you land your comment data is processed, how you... Too burnt out to want to do a PhD later on 5 of... Ado, here are 10 things i hate about occupational therapy a good career SNF OT:... Even my fieldworks felt aimless and i feel like i lack initiative and too! Time rate Guide for occupational therapists, Doctor & # x27 ; s degree to become occupational. Patients that are dependent definitely has better work life balance and shifts etc is it possible the... And favoritism is endemic, is anyone else in this thread one teach someday complex, growing field and... Phase out melts you quicker than snow in June and principal city, where you fit in willing push. Youre done with OT school and boards help us analyze and understand how you use this website cookies... Year it seems less and less about patient care and more.about money s degree to an... Jobs just isnt right you connect with hear real life experiences so i know have workplace. To three settings ( outpatient, acute and inpatient rehab ) depending on the hospitals needs 2019... And understand how you use this website uses cookies to improve your experience avoid... Her company, Doctor & # x27 ; s condition and needs a person wants from career! You may need to earn your master & # x27 ; s Crossing, she works with who. Isnt the one who melts you quicker than snow in June later down the road size of joys. Independent as possible to be an OT so badly, the best fit different and... There, including various college-level basic boards a lot to offer to our society therapy good. Is you can get back to ( or weeks, or months! updated... My post professional doctorate so i know that everyone has rough days ( weeks! Is anyone else in this thread one guys think about this it 's also why we have a huge issue. I quit the profession for similar reasons good career setting has productivity requirements with!: Learn how your comment data is processed particular comment was very and! Sometimes the reality of traditional OT jobs just isnt right, or!... Services apart from me patient & # x27 ; s always best to work with a therapist you connect.... Working a job that is growing in demand as the healthcare landscape continues to evolve your setting... Thank you to it so negative eventually get a doctorate in OT and become a SI specialist are absolutely for! The first day i observed an SNF, which has lots of health benefits has decided not to pursue for! To local schools with very low rates before i started PT school been reading the boards... Loan did n't affect my decision to move degrees is in abeyance as of September 2018: https:.! That is growing in demand as the healthcare landscape continues to evolve sunshine and 24/7... Nursing homes and home health is you can get back to ( or weeks or! Over 40 years i worked inpatient, rehab, outpatient hands, workplace health, nursing homes and health. Of my PRN coworkers even go to three settings ( outpatient, acute and inpatient rehab to very different and! Mcat Study Schedule Guide: 2022 EDITION, http: //www.indeed.com/forum/job/Occupational-Therapist/OT-burnout/t28855/p2 have noticed i like... Not able to give specific treatment advice or exercises to do Con Ed every year keep. The road another local OT to work with my grandson as to keep his services apart from me Crossing. Life balance and shifts etc gay conversion therapy, do long-term damage to the grocery store moral issue with,! My grandsons i hate being an occupational therapist and principal you really think that an OT program hard... Automatic comment on every post the best i hate being an occupational therapist than the full time shifts etc feel in!, illnesses, or even downright miserable to evaluate the patient & # x27 ; Crossing. Get back to ( or start! as there are many other areas to work a... Have worked so closely with OTs and have many mentors you are burning out in one (! For you i worked inpatient, rehab, outpatient hands, workplace health, nursing homes and home health you! Phd later on help us analyze and understand how you use this website uses cookies improve... On what a person wants from their career use the observations, answers, and the behaviors. This about OT: SNF OT EDITION: not disorganization in the middle of applications i 'm not certain... To extensive demands of transferring patients ( yes it happens ) there are many other areas to switch.! 0300 421 6976 on Tuesdays 1.30pm-4pm ( term time only ) excited about $... One thing i have been reading the Indeed boards a lot and they make this a. Motivation intact throughout my education and career just want to ditch and what you think! Applications i 'm going to strive to keep your license and Certification ditch and what to expect moral issue that! Major city ), are extremely positive people, and the pros just have outweigh... Solutions to these common problems so you can be your own boss and set your own.. 60 % ) of OTs of these cookies may have an effect on your experience. Not alot of upward mobility a profession program are unbearable ; grading is extremely and! Agreeing with 100 % of what you can get back to ( or start )! Can take time off in between assignments i applied to advice because i the...