Comparison of Recreation Therapy and Nursing
After the Covid-19 pandemic, the healthcare workforce has become scarcer than ever due to many healthcare workers experiencing burnout during the pandemic. This overload has led to more open and encouraging educational policies in some countries regarding studying and immigrating for international students who wish to pursue healthcare fields, offering many opportunities for post-graduation immigration.
In addition to popular fields like Nursing and General Medicine, there are many other healthcare-related fields that students may not be aware of.
NEEC proudly introduces Recreation Therapy, a very interesting field offering stable income, which is very popular in developed countries but not widely introduced in high school education programs in Vietnam. The following comparison will help you better understand this field and provide more options when researching suitable fields of study:
| Recreation Therapy | Nursing | |
| Main Objective | Focuses on using recreational activities, exercise, art, and non-medical methods to improve the mental, physical, and emotional health of individuals undergoing treatment. | Focuses on the comprehensive healthcare of patients, including diagnosing, treating, and managing health issues, providing direct care, and supporting patients during recovery. |
| Treatment Method | Uses recreational activities and sports to improve health. | Focuses on providing direct medical care and performing medical procedures. |
| Training Requirements | To become a Recreation Therapist, you need an associate or bachelor’s degree in Recreation Therapy or a related field. Additionally, a valid certification from the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) is required.
560 hours of practice experience in Canada and the USA |
To become a Registered Nurse (RN), you need to complete a college or university program in Nursing. After that, you must register and pass the licensing exam to be certified and practice healthcare.
1000-1950 hours of practice experience in Canada 500-1000 hours of practice experience in the USA (depending on state regulations) |
| Entry Requirements (This information is for reference from common schools in the USA & Canada; entry requirements often vary and are updated annually based on different schools’ admission criteria) | High school diploma
IELTS: >= 6.0 (no band below 5.5) |
High school diploma
IELTS: >= 6.5 or even 7.0 (no band below 6.0) |
| Average Tuition (This is an estimate, specific tuition depends on the school and program) | 20,000 – 30,000 CAD/year (Canada) | 17,000 – 30,000 CAD/year (Canada) |
| Income (According to Canadian government reports) | 27 – 49 CAD/hour | 17.75 – 40 CAD/hour |
| Career Opportunities | Career opportunities in healthcare facilities, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, schools, community organizations, and recreational areas. | Career opportunities in healthcare facilities, hospitals, community health centers, nursing homes, schools, and various other healthcare settings. |
As can be seen, the entry requirements for Recreation Therapy are more open compared to Nursing. The nature of the work in Recreation Therapy involves indirect care and mainly mental care, while Nursing focuses on direct patient care following strict medical standards. Recreation Therapy is suitable for international students with a creative tendency and a desire to develop life, adaptability, and social skills.
We hope the above information provides parents and students with useful insights into Recreation Therapy and Nursing. If you wish to learn more about studying Nursing or Recreation Therapy in Canada and quick immigration tips, register here to secure a spot at NEEC’s seminar at 9:00 – 11:00 AM, Sunday, July 16, 2023 with the topic Nursing and Recreation Therapy in Canada.
Venue: NEEC Office, 9th Floor, Yoco Building, 41 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, HCMC.
Registration Link: here
Sources:
Canadian Association of Recreation Therapists (C.A.R.T.) – https://www.recreationtherapy.ca/
Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) – https://www.cna-aiic.ca/en/certification/initial-certification
