Virgil Said:

physical therapy or nursing?

We Answered:

I agree with Walton for part of it. I don't think salaries have eroded but they have not improved with the degree requirements. Most PT do not own their own clinics. Not all therapist work in orthopedics and compete with chiropractors. PT and nurses in some areas make the similar salaries. With that you can become an RN with a 2 year degree and a PT is generally 6-7 years.

You need to do what is right for you. I will have other therapist disagree with me. You can get your RN in 2 years work. Let your employer pay for your BS. While getting your BS, get your pre reqs for PT school. Then apply to PT school. Also look at respiratory therapist if you do not want the male stereotypes.

On the scrub issues, PT who work in hospitals or who do do wound care do wear scrubs. My staff has tried to get our boss to let us wear scrubs to no avail. They are easy and comfortable. Then you do not get your own clothes dirty

For Walton's info

Physical therapists (PTs) are highly-educated, licensed health care professionals who can help patients reduce pain and improve or restore mobility - in many cases without expensive surgery and often reducing the need for long-term use of prescription medications and their side effects.

PTs examine each individual and develop a plan, using treatment techniques to promote the ability to move, reduce pain, restore function, and prevent disability. In addition, PTs work with individuals to prevent the loss of mobility before it occurs by developing fitness- and wellness-oriented programs for healthier and more active lifestyles.

Physical therapists provide care for people in a variety of settings, including hospitals, private practices, outpatient clinics, home health agencies, schools, sports and fitness facilities, work settings, and nursing homes. State licensure is required in each state in which a physical therapist practices.

All PTs must receive a graduate degree from an accredited physical therapist program before taking the national licensure examination that allows them to practice. The majority of programs offer the doctor of physical therapy (DPT) degree.

WHAT DO PHYSICAL THERAPISTS EARN?

More than 175,000 physical therapists are licensed in the U.S. today. The median salary for a physical therapist is $80,000 depending on position, years of experience, degree of education, geographic location, and practice setting.

WHERE DO PHYSICAL THERAPISTS PRACTICE?

Although many physical therapists practice in hospitals, over 80 percent practice in:


Outpatient clinics or offices
Inpatient rehabilitation facilities
Skilled nursing, extended care, or subacute facilities
Homes
Education or research centers
Schools
Hospices
Industrial, workplace, or other occupational environments
Fitness centers and sports training facilities
WHAT ARE THE EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR BECOMING A PT?

The minimum educational requirement is a post-baccalaureate degree from an accredited education program. While some programs offer a master's degree, a growing majority of programs offer the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree. Currently, 199 colleges and universities nationwide support 212 accredited professional physical therapist education programs; 96% now offer the DPT and the remaining programs are planning to convert.

WHAT ARE THE LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS FOR BECOMING A PT?

After graduation, candidates must pass a state-administered national exam. Other requirements for physical therapy practice vary from state to state according to physical therapy practice acts or state regulations governing physical therapy.

WHAT IS THE EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK FOR PHYSICAL THERAPY?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of physical therapists is expected to grow by 30 percent from 2008 to 2018, much faster than the average for all occupations. According to the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), with just a 0.2 percent unemployment rate, physical therapists are now experiencing the best employment conditions since enactment of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997.

Greg Said:

How can one improve chances of getting into a graduate level Physical Therapy program?

We Answered:

The work experience will help. Physical therapy schools are very competitive. Switching majors would not be a good idea. Typically, they will take all specific physical therapy classes. Therefore, her first semester would be a waste of time.

Milton Said:

What should I major in to get into a physical therapist program?

We Answered:

Biology. Many schools offer grad programs in physcial therapy - the list is way too long to go into but you can look it up on line.

Annette Said:

What is a good major to take before going into a physical therapy program?

We Answered:

Well there are many majors that you can take before you go for a graduate course in Physical Therapy.

I am a major in Computer Engineering and minor in Psychology and Biology. This helped me to get into many different fields of the medical line.

You could take Bachelor of Science first and you can focus on Biology, and Chemistry because all of this 2 courses you need to understand the basic of human Anatomy and Physiology before going further.

You can also focus on Psychology. This is another major you can focus on first. Due to the fact that in the medical line. Many of the health professional do not take the time to understand or care enough for their patients that they see. Because they are preoccupied with their own problems and then misunderstands the problems of their patients. That is why in today's medical professional many are so poor in diagnosing their patients and provide the best medical support for their patients.

Another part is that it is better to focus on what your patients really want you to answer when you understand the psychology of their thinking. This way it makes your job much more easier. In my health practice, I tend to do the psychology on my patients first to find out what is their main problems then get into their illnesses. This way, your diagnostic of their symptoms and cause will be more accurate and then you will see them more often for other problems they have then seeing them for repeated problems.

If you see this is the way you want to go for physical therapist way of helping people, then this is what you should do. Think about it and make the right choice for your major.

Choices are again:

(1) Biology
(2) Chemistry
(3) Physics
(4) Psychology
(5) Kinesology, Anatomy and Physiology

Hope this helps...and sorry for the long winded reply. Some might be repeating as I am falling asleep writing this...hahaha!