PT career transition advice

[IUgrad]

Hi, everyone,

My boyfriend is interested in physical therapy; however, we can't find much information about the transition for someone who has a bachelor's degree in another field (psychology). Most of the sites/literature we find are about (transition to) doctoral programs for current PTs. I was hoping maybe someone who is a PT or in PT school might be able to offer some advice on the following questions:

1) Is anyone aware if there are degree programs specifically for (or at least accommodating to) those who aren't currently PTs?

2) Is it acceptable to take the science prerequisites at a community college? (An attractive option since he can't afford to quit his job to pursue school exclusively) Will this hurt his chances?

3) What is the average GPA/GRE score (or "good" scores) for accepted applicants? (to get an idea of his chances...)

We're really just looking for any "inside" advice someone who is already in the field might be able to offer. If anyone has any links to places or other forums where we can find more information about transition to PT, admission process, etc., we would really appreciate it. (Also, if anyone is willing to talk about your experiences practicing in the field or in PT school, we'd love to find out more information about the field and work in general.)

Thanks so much for your help!!
IUgrad

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[IlizaRob]

Hi, everyone,

My boyfriend is interested in physical therapy; however, we can't find much information about the transition for someone who has a bachelor's degree in another field (psychology). Most of the sites/literature we find are about (transition to) doctoral programs for current PTs. I was hoping maybe someone who is a PT or in PT school might be able to offer some advice on the following questions:

1) Is anyone aware if there are degree programs specifically for (or at least accommodating to) those who aren't currently PTs?

2) Is it acceptable to take the science prerequisites at a community college? (An attractive option since he can't afford to quit his job to pursue school exclusively) Will this hurt his chances?

3) What is the average GPA/GRE score (or "good" scores) for accepted applicants? (to get an idea of his chances...)

We're really just looking for any "inside" advice someone who is already in the field might be able to offer. If anyone has any links to places or other forums where we can find more information about transition to PT, admission process, etc., we would really appreciate it. (Also, if anyone is willing to talk about your experiences practicing in the field or in PT school, we'd love to find out more information about the field and work in general.)

Thanks so much for your help!!
IUgrad

I am not a PT student but attend a university with a DPT program. From what I hear, most programs are trying to become doctoral level programs. The program here leads to a doctorate. You can enter the program with any degree as long as you fulfill the prereqs. It is a 3 year program. This link will give you more info. Good luck.

http://www.dmu.edu/pt/admissions/requirements/

 

[DOctorJay]

Just about all programs are open to students with previous bachelor's. A DPT is what the programs are putting out now, hard to come by a master's program any longer. tDPT is transitional for someone like me who has an MSPT and might be interested in DPT (although I wouldn't, I'm a med student now).

Tell your bf to seriously consider what this means (DPT) and if PT is really what he wants to do. If he wants medicine but not MD/DO go PA. School is shorter to become a PA which means less initial cost and you make more money as a PA. Part of the reason I think the DPT is a dumb move (more education, absolutely no increase in pay - I know first hand).

If this is the only thing that will make him happy (PT) it's a great field. If he likes medicine though but doesn't want medical school, PA would be a very attractive option.

J

 

[guetzow]

If you want Action (Surgery, Reducing Fx's, Meds, Imaging, etc) on that Gory-Looking Foot Pic, you'll never see it as a PT. Gotta go Mid-Level (PA, NP).

 

[DPT]

"If you want Action (Surgery, Reducing Fx's, Meds, Imaging, etc) on that Gory-Looking Foot Pic, you'll never see it as a PT. Gotta go Mid-Level (PA, NP)."

Not. I am a DPT and CWS (cert. wound specialist) in acute care. We see "gory-looking" wounds on a daily basis...typically performing sharps debridement or pulsed lavage, although not in an OR.

As for action, gotta say it's pretty cool to get a patient walking again after 95% TBSA fullthickness burns, treated with cultured epidermal autografting and was previously bedridden in skeletal traction for 2 months. I typically introduce myself in the ICU as the one who will help them walk again..walking with vent support then getting them off the vent and back to life. It is a very rewarding, hands-on, job. I don't mind 85K a year if it means doing what I love and spending more time with my kids (8 to 5 hours). My wife is also a PT making a little less but with peds, a totally different PT world, but equally rewarding.

I considered med school, but wanted to spend more time with patients and more hands-on.

As for the PT vs. DPT thing, I would suggest the DPT since that will be the future entry level for all schools, but I am skeptical on the cost and paying back those loans. I had a BS in PT (10 years ago) and recently transitioned to the DPT, paid for by my employer. Easy decision, but I would not have done it if it meant me paying 10K. There is no difference in pay...at least for now.

Good luck with your decision. I highly recommend it. There are just so many specialty areas to choose if you get burned out in one area- neuro, sports med, wounds, peds, ortho, burns, the list goes on! I prefer acute care.

 

[delicatefade]

I typically introduce myself in the ICU as the one who will help them walk again..walking with vent support then getting them off the vent and back to life. It is a very rewarding, hands-on, job.

Funny, this is exactly what I hated about PT. All this education and you basically drag people out of bed and walk with them. And yes, I did also work in the ICU, although not exclusively. Glad you enjoy it though. and 85K is pretty damn good. Good for you.

 

[guetzow]

I meant "Reductions", "Suturing", Antibiotic Scrips, Imaging ordering and interpreting, etc. i.e.- "Medicine". So you work in a Wound Care Center.....Totally Different than "Medicine" (Wound Care Centers are also an area lourded over by RNs....."NOT" exclusive to PTs). Incidentally, "RTs" also walk vent patients. It's called "Pulmonary Rehab".

 

[MJFPT]

I meant "Reductions", "Suturing", Antibiotic Scrips, Imaging ordering and interpreting, etc. i.e.- "Medicine". So you work in a Wound Care Center.....Totally Different than "Medicine" (Wound Care Centers are also an area lourded over by RNs....."NOT" exclusive to PTs). Incidentally, "RTs" also walk vent patients. It's called "Pulmonary Rehab".

Funny, but I don't see anything at all in the original post or any of the other posts in this thread asking for any information whatsoever about what you do as a PA. I think you have made it very clear that you are really proud of what you do. Great, good for you. It could be possible that other people are not interested in being an ASSISTANT to a physician. PT's and PA's obviously perform completely different activities with different outcomes. So somebody gets satisfaction out of helping patients regain there function and return to their normal lives, or treating and debriding wounds. Who said these tasks are exclusive to PT? I work closely with eight different PA's on a daily basis in an outpatient ortho setting and I personally would much rather function independently as a PT than have to spend my days completing every menial task that the physicians don't have time for.

 

[DPT]

guetzow,
I work at a trauma 1 University hospital and am clinical faculty at the PT school there. Is that "medicine" for ya'? Your definition of medicine is really off, bud.

Also, please do not confuse 'walking a patient', which anybody can do, with gait training performed by a PT. Once a patient no longer requires assistance to ambulate, we discharge them to nursing or family members to assist with lines/tubes. Most of my patients in the ICUs have been bedridden for weeks and need extensive training to even be able to sit unsupported again. RTs are not trained for this...just as I am not trained in changing vent settings/mode to facilitate weaning, hook up a PCA, read an MBS, or prescribe meds to stabilize a patient. We must respect each others' roles to work as a team.

 

[delicatefade]

Also, please do not confuse 'walking a patient', which anybody can do, with gait training performed by a PT.

 

[guetzow]

I was referring to ANYONE that practices medicine, other than therapists, of course, who DO NOT PRACTICE MEDICINE.