I have been reading over some of the threads lately and just have to put my head down in sadness. I understand that the debt we accrue, the listlessness of some seasoned therapists, poor clinical experiences, mind numbing observation hours, salary expectations and the potential of working long hours in your own private clinic can all be encumbering thoughts. However, we are the new faces of physical therapy. The DPT has only recently come into effect, and we need to become excited about it and really take off with it. Some of us did not even start our DPT programs yet, and our minds are about to explode from all this negativity. I feel burnt out already haha. I'm beyond excited about starting school in the fall, but I too fall victim to these worries as well.
Debt: We will all have debt. My parents, god knows I love them, are zero help to me financially. I self finance everything, and it stinks, but it allowed me to gain appreciation of how far a dollar can go, and how one can live frugally, while still enjoying themselves. All I know is I will have 130K-150K (Undergrad and PT school) in debt, and I'm not going to let that stop me from following my dreams. Pay it off in 5, 10, 15, 20 years... who knows. Lets just focus on getting the degree first and stop wishing our lives away. It's not like we can do anything about it now =0).
Therapists in Autopilot: I understand 100% where everyone is coming from when they get all jacked up about a listless, burnt out therapist that just go through the motions. However, this is in every profession; You have over achievers, underachievers and everyone else falls in between. I've worked in restaurants were a 50 year old making 6 bucks an hour worked their butt off, because they took pride in what they did. I've witnessed coworkers hiding in trees, so they didn't have to cut grass at the cemetery on hot summer days. I've seen registered nurses walk into a patients room and walk right out, getting a nurses aide to clean up the patients mess. In PT, I know a therapist who can care less, and struggles to get a TKR to flex past 95degress 2 months post op, and I know a therapist who worked vigorously to get a spina bif pt to walk again after 22 years (which she accomplished). If this behavior upsets you, take pride in what you do. It's not WORK if you love what you do. Plus your boss will take notice of your decision making, hard work, going above and beyond patient care.
Bad experiences: There is no such thing as a bad learning experience, but there is a such thing as bad experiences in general. If someone or something is performing below average, test yourself in deciding what you would do to improve the situation. What would u do to treat the patient, how would you communicate with them, how can u make those monotonous exercises fun. Get patient input and see what they would like to do. I had a guy who changes light bulbs for a living, hurt his back. So, instead of doing step-ups 3x10. I had him step up and reach for a make shift light socket we made. Lets them get excited about their treatment. Also, you never know whats going on outside of work with these therapists. Sometimes their hearts not in it due to family illness, domestic or drug abuse, children issues, finances, ect ect ect. Lou Holtz haha said it best "Never speak to anyone about your problems outside your home, because 20% don't care at all, and 80% are glad you have them."
Salary: Money, money, money: Why do we work? Money, why do we go to school? to make money, what do we need for life's necessities? money. what do we need to retire? money haha. Ahh my head spins wondering will I start out at 55k, 65K, 70K or what. Makes a big difference when paying off loans. Right now I'm working almost 65hrs/week @ 8.50/hr to keep up on rent, bills, gas, car repairs, phone. Its crazy. So no matter what I make after I get my degree, will be 100x better then what I am making now. People want what are called sinecures... High paying jobs with little or no work. People will complain till their blue in the teeth, but don't want to put the time in. I'll take 55hr work weeks any day, if it means owning my own private clinic and not worrying what I would do if my water heater or furnace broke in the middle of winter. Everyone pities the week, but jealousy you have to earn. In pt there is so much room for growth, and it is constantly flourishing, so why not grow with it.
Sorry to everyone for the long post, All I know is in life all we do is stress, worry, and wish it away. Questioning every move we make, while others comment on our decisions. I'm just excited to start my new chapter and want others to join me. I'm glad I took a year off after undergrad, because I had a chance to realize how good we have it as students, as kids. Life is like Christmas... You don't know what your going to get.
Best of luck to everyone.
Debt: We will all have debt. My parents, god knows I love them, are zero help to me financially. I self finance everything, and it stinks, but it allowed me to gain appreciation of how far a dollar can go, and how one can live frugally, while still enjoying themselves. All I know is I will have 130K-150K (Undergrad and PT school) in debt, and I'm not going to let that stop me from following my dreams. Pay it off in 5, 10, 15, 20 years... who knows. Lets just focus on getting the degree first and stop wishing our lives away. It's not like we can do anything about it now =0).
Therapists in Autopilot: I understand 100% where everyone is coming from when they get all jacked up about a listless, burnt out therapist that just go through the motions. However, this is in every profession; You have over achievers, underachievers and everyone else falls in between. I've worked in restaurants were a 50 year old making 6 bucks an hour worked their butt off, because they took pride in what they did. I've witnessed coworkers hiding in trees, so they didn't have to cut grass at the cemetery on hot summer days. I've seen registered nurses walk into a patients room and walk right out, getting a nurses aide to clean up the patients mess. In PT, I know a therapist who can care less, and struggles to get a TKR to flex past 95degress 2 months post op, and I know a therapist who worked vigorously to get a spina bif pt to walk again after 22 years (which she accomplished). If this behavior upsets you, take pride in what you do. It's not WORK if you love what you do. Plus your boss will take notice of your decision making, hard work, going above and beyond patient care.
Bad experiences: There is no such thing as a bad learning experience, but there is a such thing as bad experiences in general. If someone or something is performing below average, test yourself in deciding what you would do to improve the situation. What would u do to treat the patient, how would you communicate with them, how can u make those monotonous exercises fun. Get patient input and see what they would like to do. I had a guy who changes light bulbs for a living, hurt his back. So, instead of doing step-ups 3x10. I had him step up and reach for a make shift light socket we made. Lets them get excited about their treatment. Also, you never know whats going on outside of work with these therapists. Sometimes their hearts not in it due to family illness, domestic or drug abuse, children issues, finances, ect ect ect. Lou Holtz haha said it best "Never speak to anyone about your problems outside your home, because 20% don't care at all, and 80% are glad you have them."
Salary: Money, money, money: Why do we work? Money, why do we go to school? to make money, what do we need for life's necessities? money. what do we need to retire? money haha. Ahh my head spins wondering will I start out at 55k, 65K, 70K or what. Makes a big difference when paying off loans. Right now I'm working almost 65hrs/week @ 8.50/hr to keep up on rent, bills, gas, car repairs, phone. Its crazy. So no matter what I make after I get my degree, will be 100x better then what I am making now. People want what are called sinecures... High paying jobs with little or no work. People will complain till their blue in the teeth, but don't want to put the time in. I'll take 55hr work weeks any day, if it means owning my own private clinic and not worrying what I would do if my water heater or furnace broke in the middle of winter. Everyone pities the week, but jealousy you have to earn. In pt there is so much room for growth, and it is constantly flourishing, so why not grow with it.
Sorry to everyone for the long post, All I know is in life all we do is stress, worry, and wish it away. Questioning every move we make, while others comment on our decisions. I'm just excited to start my new chapter and want others to join me. I'm glad I took a year off after undergrad, because I had a chance to realize how good we have it as students, as kids. Life is like Christmas... You don't know what your going to get.
Best of luck to everyone.
