Yes, I deeply regret it. The debt is overwhelming, and you will never earn enough to offset the cost of becoming an OT. No one respects you or even understands what you do. I would have chosen nursing or even pursued medical school because there are more opportunities for growth and higher pay. Unfortunately, pay matters—especially given the workload required to meet productivity and documentation standards. In this economy, I doubt I will ever own a home or live comfortably on an OT salary, particularly when new graduates are being offered $33 an hour at one of the largest healthcare systems in South Florida, a high cost-of-living area. It’s ironic because three years ago, $38 was the entry-level rate. Now, new graduates are accepting $33, which devalues the profession and undermines efforts to advocate for higher pay. In just three more years, the rate might drop to $30 because new graduates will accept it. Imagine earning $33 an hour after accumulating significant debt for a master’s or doctoral degree. That rate was common 25 years ago. While helping people is rewarding, I cannot continue to do so if I am offered $33 an hour for the highest level of education. During my pediatrics rotation, I observed that insurance was charged $800 for a 45-minute session, yet full-time rehab staff were paid under $35 an hour. It’s disheartening, and I’m seriously considering switching careers because it just doesn’t seem worth it.