PT + $$$ = :( regrets?

[Mrsmojorisin]

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My husband is a pt and now my daughter is hellbent on following in his footsteps.
I dont see her being an effective PT. she's single, 24 and has 2 kids she needs to provide for. I'm trying to convince her to pursue a career with a better salary..if you could do it all over again what career would you have pursued?

 

[Azimuthal]

My 2 cents. *note that I'm a current student.

Two kids on a PT salary is more than doable, depending on her education costs and personal situation. Obtaining an RN is quicker, however, what career does she see herself enjoying for the next 30+ years?

You almost sound like my own parents.

In a [you guess it] accent... (Can't remember where I got the quote from)
"You not doctor (MD/DO) yet?!"
"Come talk to me when you doctor!"

 

[VIllaHJF]

My husband is a pt and now my daughter is hellbent on following in his footsteps.
I dont see her being an effective PT. she's single, 24 and has 2 kids she needs to provide for. I'm trying to convince her to pursue a career with a better salary..if you could do it all over again what career would you have pursued?

Do you not like PT for her because you don't think she would be good at it or that it wont make enough money to support her family? Or both?

 

[HHCPT]

better to do something she is passionate about and make a decent amount of money, than do something she feels miserably about even though she will make more money

Home health care therapists can easily make 100k a year and have flexible schedules to juggle work-life balance.

 

[Myosin]

My 2 cents. *note that I'm a current student.

Two kids on a PT salary is more than doable, depending on her education costs and personal situation. Obtaining an RN is quicker, however, what career does she see herself enjoying for the next 30+ years?

You almost sound like my own parents.

In a [you guess it] accent... (Can't remember where I got the quote from)
"You not doctor (MD/DO) yet?!"
"Come talk to me when you doctor!"

If she didn't have to take on debt for student loans I would completely agree with you.

Two children and cost of living, plus having aunt Sallie Mae living with her for ~80k in tuition is just too much for a ~60k salary.

She also has to factor in the fact that she can't work for three years, which means she will be looking at far more debt than a typical student will because she has to provide what her children need for school, daycare, etc.

Physical therapy is an amazing profession, but as stated above, nursing would probably be better for her situation. All it requires is an associates degree and training to be an RN, which she can do at almost any community college. A bachelors degree in nursing is optional and will substantially raise her pay. Nursing has a higher pay ceiling than PT and much cheaper to reach than PT currently does.

 

[NeophyteParkour]

Physical therapy is an amazing profession, but as stated above, nursing would probably be better for her situation. All it requires is an associates degree and training to be an RN, which she can do at almost any community college. A bachelors degree in nursing is optional and will substantially raise her pay. Nursing has a higher pay ceiling than PT and much cheaper to reach than PT currently does.

Except maybe she doesn't want to be a nurse at all. I can't imagine myself switching from PT to nursing.

Anyway, I know people in my school right now who have kids and are doing just fine. One guy has 3 kids. It's completely possible. Yes, you might spend a little more, but it's not the end of the world. Just like how some people go to school later than others, there's more than one path to the same thing.

 

[aupt]

PTA is quick and can make good money.

 

[PTwife]

Physical therapy is an amazing profession, but as stated above, nursing would probably be better for her situation. All it requires is an associates degree and training to be an RN, which she can do at almost any community college. A bachelors degree in nursing is optional and will substantially raise her pay. Nursing has a higher pay ceiling than PT and much cheaper to reach than PT currently does.

This is not true. My mom is a nurse and has been for 25 years. She is just now making what PTs start out making - and she is a Case Manager. She hates her job. She wishes she had gone to be a Nurse Practitioner but it is too late for her. I think it is pretty unrealistic for someone that wants to do PT to do nursing just because it is a cheaper option. Plus nursing has NO autonomy. PTs get to make decisions, nurses just complain all day about how the dr/pt/whoever is in charge made the wrong decision.

The answer is above- PTA. PTA is usually a 2 year program vs 3 year, is available at cheaper community colleges and still will end up making good money. I know a PTA who just graduated and went straight into a SNF making $70k.

 

[Litlwarrior08]

Nurses w/ less than a BS are being encouraged to get the BS and or Master degree. No matter how long they've been in the field. Nurses have always had a good pay and are in demand. But their work schedule and duties are difficult.

 

[speedosrock1053]

You came to the wrong place, we will all back up PT profession. She should can raise 2 kids and go to school, its not impossible. My mom did it; If I were her I would do it if its what I wanted to do. She's 24, so she's old enough to understand the sacrifice involved and young enough for it to be worth it in the long run