Figuring out if PT is right for me

[efoi]

Okay, so I just signed up to this forum because someone suggested I bring my questions to you guys. I'm a second year economics major at the University of Florida, and I've been trying to figure out what I want to do with my life. I've been thinking about going to law school because science and math were never really my favorite things...but I feel like I would dislike the long hours and drudgery life as a lawyer would bring. The health/medical field always seemed to be the best option as far as living a happier life (balancing work/life) but I just didn't like science much. Then someone suggested Physical Therapy, since I like sports/working out and stuff like that. It seems like something I could possibly do, but I'm having a lot of trouble figuring out if I want to do it. It's something I need to be deciding soon, too, since I'm now trying to catch up on science pre reqs (currently hating/probably failing Chem 1). If I have to go through all that, I need to figure out if the program would be worth it. Some of my concerns -

• Do you have to really love science to do the job? Or is it based more on experience than education?
• What kind of hours do you guys work, and how does that relate to pay? The DPT program seems kind expensive, esp with the salary cap that PT seems to have

I'm sure there's more but I think I should stop there for now...sorry for the long post 😳

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[artizzle]

Do you have to really love science to do the job? Or is it based more on experience than education?

In short, no you do not have to love science to be a PT. PT school is based more on education, a career as a physical therapist will be a combination of continuing education, keeping up to date with research, and experience.

You don't have to love science, but you have to understand anatomy, physiology, exercise science / kinesiology, and biomechanics (some physics). Physical therapy is based on evidence, so research is a huge component. Science (chemistry) in the traditional sense does not play a huge part in physical therapy, but it is a prerequisite for applying to most PT schools. Meaning, you have to get through some science weeder courses in order to apply. My PT class has some people who had non-science majors in undergrad, but the majority are exercise science or kinesiology majors.

Check your internship and career center at your school for connections to PT clinics nearby and try to volunteer or observe there. Because being a PT is much more than sports and working out. Spend some time in the PT setting, then decide if the goal of becoming a PT is worth taking some classes you may not like.

What kind of hours do you guys work, and how does that relate to pay? The DPT program seems kind expensive, esp with the salary cap that PT seems to have

I'm in still in PT school, so I won't try to answer what I don't know; try searching some other threads to find an answer or wait for a response from a PT in practice.

But, if you are worried about tuition costs vs salary, try finding a state school that offers an MPT. They are becoming increasingly rare, but in my opinion paying 20-30,000 total compared to 40,000 a year at a DPT program played a huge part in my decision.

 

[mac_kin]

Working hours will depend on the setting in which you plan to work.
Hospitals/rehabilitation centres/insurance companies will have the pretty standard 9-5 hours. Private clinics need to accomodate clients before and after work, so most are open from 7am to 8pm. So there is definite flexibility to work some mornings/late afternoon shifts there.

Consider that salaries average about 80,000 max in hospitals. In private practice you can make over 100K if you work in a busy successful practice. However, in private practice there are also seasons where you see more or less injuries. Most places I know of don't have the regular stream of clients you may imagine. After all you can only have patients returning for so long before A) they get better B) insurance runs out C) they realize you aren't doing anything for them. I've witnessed this problem because PT is costly and not often well covered by insurance companies. Unless you take on lots of motor vehicle accidents, you may run into some trouble. Patients who can't afford to pay out of pocket usually come for the initial assessment, pick up an exercise sheet and do it from there at home. I don't mean to turn you off from this career, but I am just giving you facts based on what I've seen in the last 3-4 years.
Jobs that have a steady stream of clients (ie. hospitals and varsity clinics at colleges) will not pay as well.

However, there is also the possibility to open and manage your own practice, especially if you have the business background.

Another downside is the cost of education, in PT there exists the need for constant upgrading of courses, so called "professional development". Most of your peers in the working world will have a multitude of specialty courses in muscle relaxation, neurological rehabilitation, acupuncture, special PT techniques (McKenzie, Taping, Hydrotherapy), paediatric treatment, geriatric treatment, etc. etc. If you want to compete with your peers, you will have to take courses, regularly. Courses can cost over $1000 for a weekend, not to mention the travel time/ lectures/homework/study materials. Be prepared to step into a field that REQUIRES ongoing education on a regular basis.

If you are thinking of DPT because you are interested in working with the health care field, consider business positions within hospitals. A quick search of some of these corporations will show that they do actively recruit business analysts, financial advisors, marketing experts, fundraising/financial development experts. So perhaps there is a way you can tie your background into the health care field. Just a thought.

Feel free to message me personally if you want more information!

 

[SPointer2010]

You definitely do not have to love science to be a PT. The thing I am personally struggling with is lack of scientific use in my education and projected career path (I disliked chem. for the most part but loved physics and math classes I took more recently). My opinion about PT as a field is that if you are a very caring and empathetic person who learns best in a hands-on, clinical education setting, you will make a great career out of it. You need not worry about science courses (with the exception of anatomy and exercise physiology and/or kinesiology), as the clinical education plays a much larger role in the PT field than theoretical knowledge of scientific principles.