Advertisement - Members don't see this ad
Hi Everyone,
I need some advice about job training/entry as an older (51 year old) non-trad student. I have a BS in a science field (GPA 3.53) and have worked for many years as a freelance technical writer. It was a great field for me (I made about 70K/year) until the recession gutted it.
I am looking for something much more secure, and have always liked the medical fields. Recently, I've taken all the pre-reqs for that would qualify me for Nursing and Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA) school, with a GPA of 4.0. I like physical therapy a lot more than Nursing (I've been observing both fields), but really need everyone's advice about the following...
--How easy it is to get a job/enter the job market as a PTA (at my age)? Will people hire an older worker? (I need some honesty here.)
--Are there any opportunities for advancement (teaching/writing) if I only have a BS and am licensed as a PTA? I don't want to shortchange myself, but I only have a few more years on the job market and the Doctorate in Physical Therapy would be MUCH more costly in terms of finances and family impact. Also, I like patient care/hate paperwork and it seems the PTs have a lot more to do with insurance than PTAs.
--Do you see people working as PTAs in their 60's? Or does the physical aspect of the job become too hard?
--Do you think the Health Care Reform bill will negatively impact Nursing and Physical Therapy work opportunities?
Thanks in advance for your time and advice!
I need some advice about job training/entry as an older (51 year old) non-trad student. I have a BS in a science field (GPA 3.53) and have worked for many years as a freelance technical writer. It was a great field for me (I made about 70K/year) until the recession gutted it.
I am looking for something much more secure, and have always liked the medical fields. Recently, I've taken all the pre-reqs for that would qualify me for Nursing and Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA) school, with a GPA of 4.0. I like physical therapy a lot more than Nursing (I've been observing both fields), but really need everyone's advice about the following...
--How easy it is to get a job/enter the job market as a PTA (at my age)? Will people hire an older worker? (I need some honesty here.)
--Are there any opportunities for advancement (teaching/writing) if I only have a BS and am licensed as a PTA? I don't want to shortchange myself, but I only have a few more years on the job market and the Doctorate in Physical Therapy would be MUCH more costly in terms of finances and family impact. Also, I like patient care/hate paperwork and it seems the PTs have a lot more to do with insurance than PTAs.
--Do you see people working as PTAs in their 60's? Or does the physical aspect of the job become too hard?
--Do you think the Health Care Reform bill will negatively impact Nursing and Physical Therapy work opportunities?
Thanks in advance for your time and advice!
