This is probably a long shot but I’m in a predicament
I’m all set to start Lpn program this August. But I’ve realized this just isn’t what I want to do as a job at all.
But OTA , the next classes start one year from August. So if I did this LpN program would any of the credits go toward OTA so I wouldn’t have to go the full 2 years?
You have to ASK the OTA program to be sure you aren’t wasting your time and money on getting credits that won’t apply for what you want. Also check to shadow and be sure you WANT OTA and it can earn what you need and it has openings in the area you plan to live.
Does your college offer both OTA and LPN programs? If so…ask at the college.
I agree with @HImom . You need to contact the school regarding what credits may transfer into the OTA program, but first you really should make sure that the OTA program will provide you with the job opportunities that you want and need . Some schools also have a waitlist even though they are community colleges. Some require volunteer and observation hours. You really need more info to be able to make an informed decision . Students in the OTA program will have required internships and classes usually follow a specific sequence, so you may not have much flexibility in schedule of the program. All of these questions should be addressed at the school with an advisor in the OTA program.
At our CC, it is extremely competitive to get into many programs. There are folks with PhDs who apply to get into RT programs. It is not a given that one can get into the program they want. Even after graduating, there may be a requirement to relocate or take less desirable hours or jobs, especially at the beginning. Please don’t dive without doing your exploration. You owe that to your kids and yourself, as well as your folks.
Since you are young, new to this and trying to better yourself and give your kids a better life (for which I give you credit), here is a piece of advice: when you have a situation like this, think carefully about who would have the answer and then go there. So, if you want to know whether credits transfer a certain place, CALL THAT PLACE. Too many young people don’t actually call places for info.
We are helpful on this board, but who would you give a better answer? Us, guessing about your program which we don’t know, or the program itself? Someone here might know about a program near them, but how would that be helpful to you when your program might have different rules?
I mean this in the spirit of helpfulness. Good luck.
Another benefit to speaking to an advisor in the OT program is he /she may be able to tell you if there are prerequisite classes that you may be able to take that are required for entry into the program or you may be able to take to shorten the program. It most likely be less expensive to take several classes rather than enroll in the LPN program .A benefit of enrolling in the LPN program if you’re definitely sure that you are not interested in that career is to give you the possibility to working as an LPN part time while going through the OTA program. Good luck teasing out your options.
I believe a OTA program is two years associate degree. A LPN program is two years…same.
This student is NOT looking for OT programs. She is looking for OTA (assistant) programs.
She needs to contact the college to find out what to do next.
@thumper1 I realize that she is looking into an OTA program. Many OTA programs at CC have prerequisites that students take prior to entry into the actual 2 year program . They also have internships which often makes the program slightly longer than 2 years. Not all LPN programs are two years long. In my area , some programs are a year long . I also encouraged her to contact the program to see how to proceed . As someone who has supervised and trained many OTA students from a variety of schools , as well as COTAs in a variety of settings from many schools across the country, I am aware that while each school has subtle differences in their programs, programs that are accredited by AOTA have certain criteria that must be satisfied to achieve ,as well as ,maintain accreditation.
Enclosed is a link regarding requirements for LPN which states most LPN programs require 12 months of training.
http://learn.org/
You may need to accept that this effort will take more than 2 years. You’re doing it “the hard way”, and it may be a slog. Get up and do it anyway.
This student needs to be sure she will satisfy the licensure guidelines for COTA in her state as well.
OTA programs very from CC to CC. Some are open admissions around here for the first year. Others require an admission decision to enroll.
YMMV
The student will have to take a national certification exam to receive national certification by the AOTCB prior to receiving a state license to practice . You are right that she needs to review licensure laws in her individual state to see what she will need to do to maintain state licensure. She will also have renew national certification every 3 years.
Talking to the OTA school is the best thing. I know someone who wanted to get a PTA degree after getting a BS degree. One school, our cc, refused to take any of her credits, while a technical school did agree to take several of her credits.
Each school makes its own rules. We have a friend who got an aerospace engineering degree but couldn’t get a job. He went to a different U to get an EE degree. They’d only apply his AE degree to knock off one year and made him go back for 3 more years of school to get his EE degree from them! NONE of us can tell you what the OTA school will do, and even if any of us do, none of us can bind the school to what we think.