Any current PTA's going DPT?

[jml1030]

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I am currently a licensed PTA in PA. I love being a PTA. I graduated in 2010 and worked for a year in a nursing home (my preferred setting). I then decided to return to school to finish my bachelors with the goal of going onto grad school. I transitioned to per diem while in school. I will graduate in the fall 2012 and have completed my prereqs.

I am now undecided about continuing onto grad school. I am 23 years old and have no debt (paid off undergrad). The thought of 100k-ish loan debt after DPT scares the crap out of me. I would like to become a PT for various reasons- increased independence, salary, etc.

Anyone in a similar situation? Any advice?

My other option is to remain a PTA and do traveling assignments. There is an opportunity to make killer money there and I won't have debt.

 

[KMirgAZ]

If PT is your goal I'd say go for it. I'm 30 and currently working as a CPA. I don't enjoy the career path I've chosen and I'm pretty sure I'm going to quit after tax season and go back to school for my prereqs and then apply to DPT programs. At 23 you're young and have multiple options. If the debt is a huge concern I'd say spent a couple of years working as a traveling PTA and save as much money as you can before applying to a DPT program. You'll finish the DPT with less debt and have a lot more life/career experience. You could easily save enough over 3-4 years to cover the cost of the DPT program and living expenses. Good luck!

 

[markelmarcel]

One of my best friends in PT school is a PTA going for her DPT. First off, I love having her around because she's great to have to remind us "hey, this isn't the real world" when we get discouraged about school. She also just turned 30, but she said it started to really bother her when she would ask "Well why am I doing (insert whatever exercise/therapy/etc)" and was told, you do it because that's what I say. She wanted to know more. She does home care right now and has still been able to work, although not very much, these first two semesters. She says that school can really wear her down, but going into work even once a week reminds her why she wanted to do it in the first place. Plus, she has an awesome boss that is super supportive and plans to keep her on board once she graduates.

 

[JLoMien]

So, it's been over a year since your professional decision. What did you decide?