Licensed practical nurse verses occupational therapy assistant?
Asked by bartender1234
I know these are two completely different jobs, but which would you choose work wise? which one has a better income? or do they run the same? Which one do you believe more stable? and lastly bridging over from LPN to RN VS COTA bridging over to MOT which do you think would be the most difficult? any help greatly appreciated

Best Answer:
If you plan on becoming an RN just go get the RN degree, because the "bridge" program to put you from LPN to RN still takes an extra year and still costs as much as if you were in the RN program. If you want to be a COTA then it is much harder to jump from COTA to OT. You would have to start the OT program from the beginning, so being a COTA ahead of time really does you no good. The jobs are really good for both fields right now. But if you want to be able to work nights or odd hours, go for nursing. Otherwise pick OT, thats what I did!
current OT student
Answered by girlypearl

go for occupational therapist not assistant. ot usually work the best hours too. days. lpn/lvn/rn's work all hours.
Answered by kathy w

Just off-hand, I would think that nursing would be more difficult since one has to actually inject medication into a patient and accuracy may be the difference between life and death. The field of OT, however, may also be mentally and physically stressful as a cousin went to school for COTA. Perhaps find out about observing in various settings for each job to help one decide albeit it's never the same as actually having a patient caseload :) For going for the COTA to become a OTR, it may sound practical, but one does have a fieldwork component for cota as well and that is not a paid 'internship'. General career info: http://www.bls.gov/oco and can search occupational therapy assistants, licensed practical nurses, occupational therapists, registered nurses or such. Please make sure that the program that one is considering is accredited within the industry.
Answered by jannsody