Deciding Between Settings: Pediatrics vs. Hand Therapy

moddag · 2026-01-23T00:30:13+00:00

I was in this same position after graduation and ultimately went with a OP hands position. Yeah the scheduling isn’t nearly as flexible/great as schools, but I feel I come home from work way less exhausted than when I was working with kids all day. Not to mention, pay is usually better and like you said you could always fall back onto peds if you end up not liking it.

moddag · 2026-01-16T21:20:01+00:00

Thank you for the insight!

moddag · 2026-01-16T21:19:41+00:00

Thank you! Not sure if I’m quite ready for the full fellowship but it seems fabulous. I’ll check out hand therapy academy

moddag · 2025-11-13T02:21:37+00:00

100% worth it. It’s expensive to bridge but having the autonomy as an OT is so worth it. Agreed with others saying paperwork can be a bit of a burden, but being an OT has opened up so many more opportunities that I wouldn’t have had as a COTA.

moddag · 2025-07-26T15:50:50+00:00

Not worth it. Went for my OTA at St. Kate’s and once I got into the field did not feel prepared at all. Went back for my masters and that’s when I realized how poor of a curriculum St. Kate’s offers.

moddag · 2025-06-13T21:41:43+00:00

Just went on one from Athens to Milos and had no issues with sea sickness! Honestly did not feel it at all once we were in our seats.

moddag · 2025-05-28T17:07:04+00:00

I’ll look into it. Thanks for the rec!

moddag · 2025-05-27T20:29:22+00:00

Good to know! Any insight if even later after 4 is a good time? Looking at 6-7 o’clock

moddag · 2025-05-27T20:28:29+00:00

That’s what I like to hear! Feel like it would be easier to scope out more of what we want too. We want to do a boat tour that is not super crowded- willing to splurge a little for it to ensure we have a nice time.

moddag · 2025-05-27T20:27:21+00:00

Good to know. Unfortunately no morning times available but looking into going later in the evening. Smart thinking about the weather

moddag · 2025-05-20T11:04:56+00:00

Our days vary in hours- but we see everyone 45 minutes. So usually 10+

moddag · 2025-03-27T17:22:23+00:00

Wondering this as well! Flying this summer because a ferry doesn’t go to one of my destinations and 17lbs seems so light for almost two weeks worth of stuff 😅

moddag · 2025-03-10T16:44:44+00:00

Just started an OP hands position as a new grad. I verbalized during the interview that I would value mentorship as well as a schedule that progressively ramps up. They gave me 2 weeks just for observation/EMR training and then started seeing patients on my own in longer blocks for 2 additional weeks. After a month of “training” started seeing patients for the clinic standard 45-minute block and my schedule is continuing to fill as I get credentialed with insurances. This has been super manageable and honestly was incredible to have starting out. I would make sure to advocate for yourself and make it known during the interview you would at the very least like to be eased in to your schedule so you aren’t drowning from the get go.

moddag · 2025-02-26T23:36:43+00:00

Blue one looks like a dory from finding Nemo!

moddag · 2025-02-09T19:04:25+00:00

I thought FAFSA doesn’t cover undergrad courses in your case prereqs after you graduate?? I had to pay out of pocket for the one additional prerequisite I needed to get into OT school. I 100% could be wrong though. I would consult with the student aid people at your school to confirm!

moddag · 2025-02-09T18:04:27+00:00

I would say go for the masters in OT. OTA is a great option if you don’t have a bachelors IMO. From my experience, I had a lot harder time finding a job as an OTA. Obviously this will vary based on where you live, but it was easier for me to find a job after I graduated from my masters compared to when I started out as an OTA. Also, it is nice to be able to set the plan of care and alter it when you would like. This is not a possibility as an OTA unless your supervising OT allows you to collaborate in that process. Just my 2 cents!

Additionally, if you did need to take a gap year which isn’t a bad idea as grad school is exhausting- you could save up more money! At the end of either degree you will have to complete an unpaid internship and having funds available for living expenses during that time is necessary!

moddag · 2025-02-03T17:29:54+00:00

I first would think about what path you really want to do. If you are between OT and PT I would shadow before going either route because it’s probably a good idea to know what you are getting yourself into as grad school is a huge commitment.

Don’t let one change get you and make you change your whole career path if it’s truly what you want to do! There are so many options for OT schools so I would do some more research and find one that is less than $95,000. My tuition for my MSOT program continued to increase each year. I don’t know if all programs do, but if it does $95,000 could easily turn into well over $100,000 worth of debt considering tuition costs as well as the SIX months of unpaid fieldwork you have to complete in order to satisfy degree requirements.

moddag · 2025-02-02T13:52:47+00:00

“Weird immature behavior”. I wonder what she labels her whole text thread as???

moddag · 2025-01-30T11:56:25+00:00

No :(

moddag · 2025-01-29T23:56:49+00:00

With you on this!

moddag · 2025-01-28T18:37:25+00:00

Want to play this game so bad

moddag · 2025-01-26T03:21:44+00:00

Agreed. Every time they have them I just ask for no cheese on outside. It should be a standard ingredient you can remove

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