Nurse Practitioner vs. Occupational Therapist: What Are the Differences?

Nurses and occupational therapists provide vital services to patients in a variety of settings. Both roles require a high level of education and training, and both offer the potential for a rewarding career. However, there are several key differences between these two positions. In this article, we discuss the similarities and differences between nurse practitioners and occupational therapists, and we provide information on what you can expect from each profession.

What is a Nurse Practitioner?

Nurse practitioners are advanced practice registered nurses who provide primary and specialty healthcare services. They conduct physical exams, order and interpret diagnostic tests, diagnose and treat acute and chronic conditions, prescribe medications and provide patient education and counseling. Nurse practitioners work in a variety of healthcare settings, including hospitals, clinics, private practices, home healthcare agencies, schools, nursing homes and government agencies. They often collaborate with other healthcare providers, such as physicians, to provide comprehensive care to patients.

What is an Occupational Therapist?

Occupational Therapists work with patients who have physical, developmental, social or emotional disabilities. They help these patients develop, recover and improve the skills needed for everyday life and work. Occupational Therapists work with patients of all ages, from infants to the elderly. They often work in hospitals, clinics, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, schools or patients’ homes. Occupational Therapists assess patients’ needs and create individualized treatment plans. They may also teach patients how to use adaptive equipment to complete everyday tasks.

Nurse Practitioner vs. Occupational Therapist

Here are the main differences between a nurse practitioner and an occupational therapist.

Job Duties

Occupational therapists develop treatment plans with physicians and other healthcare professionals to address a patient’s physical limitations. They use various techniques, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, to help patients recover from conditions such as strokes or manage mental illnesses such as anxiety disorders. Occupational therapists work with patients to identify goals related to their overall health and then create personalized programs to achieve those goals.

Nurse practitioners conduct assessments and formulate treatment plans in much the same way occupational therapists do. However, nurse practitioners focus on medical issues rather than non-medical issues, such as depression. In addition to performing diagnostic tests and ordering lab work, nurse practitioners are authorized to prescribe medications.

Job Requirements

Nurse practitioners (NPs) must first earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing and obtain licensure as a registered nurse (RN). They can then pursue a master’s degree or doctorate in nursing to become an NP. Some states also require NPs to pass a national certification exam before they can begin practicing.

Occupational therapists (OTs) must first earn a bachelor’s degree from an accredited OT program. They can then pursue a master’s degree or doctorate in OT if they wish to advance their career. After completing their education, OTs must pass the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) exam to become licensed.

Work Environment

Occupational therapists work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, nursing homes and private practices. They may also work for the government or military. Occupational therapists typically spend most of their time working with patients to help them recover from injuries or illnesses that affect their ability to perform daily tasks.

Nurse practitioners can also work in a variety of settings, but they often choose to work in outpatient clinics, physician offices, community health centers and schools. Nurse practitioners who work in school settings provide vaccinations and administer medications to students.

Skills

Both nurse practitioners and occupational therapists need to have excellent communication skills. As health care providers, they need to be able to explain medical procedures and concepts to patients in a way that is easy to understand. They also need to be able to listen to patients so that they can accurately assess their needs and provide the best possible care.

Nurse practitioners need to have strong clinical skills so that they can diagnose and treat patients’ conditions. They also need to be able to effectively manage patients’ medications. Occupational therapists need to have strong assessment skills so that they can properly evaluate patients and develop individualized treatment plans. They also need to have good motor skills so that they can demonstrate proper techniques to patients.

Salary

Nurse practitioners earn an average salary of $111,297 per year, while occupational therapists earn an average salary of $86,542 per year. Both of these salaries can vary depending on the state in which you work, the type of facility you work in and your level of experience.