Physical therapist assistant or BSN?

[friendlyjane]

Background: I am currently obtaining my prerequisite to apply to a BSN program. I am 35 yo and have three kids and hubby. 15 years ago I was an LVN for about 1 1/2 years then I became a stay at home mom. I loved being a nurse but really was not a nurse long enough to retain much of anything. I was planning on going to nursing school as my last child enters kinder which is 2 1/2 years from now.

Question: What is your opinion on physical therapy assistant vs BSN? I have been on this forum for a while and I see how much nurses are used and abused. It seems that there are so many that hate or at best don't like their job. I am drawn to nursing and am not totally nieve as to what is involved but I do admit it has been a long time. I started looking into physical therapist assistant and it seems interesting. The problem with this other route is that I would love to continue my education and eventually obtain my PT. This involves physics I and II which involves higher math then algebra. I really don't think I can do that. Maybe, but it could explode my brain. Lol.

Does anyone know about PTA vs BSN? I'm conflicted now. I would love all the medical knowledge and pt care in nursing but I hate how nurses are not appreciated. I find myself sad thinking of not becoming a nurse but interested in the other path that there could be. Ok, so what do y'all think?

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

PTA is an aide position, with good hands-on patient care experience but zero autonomy. If you want a job that has regular daytime hours that you can come home and forget, maybe that will suit you. Becoming a PT now requires doctorate-level education, so if you decide you want to go on you'll have a loooong road ahead.

I hear you about reading so much negativity on AN but strongly, very strongly, recommend you search out the threads on why people love what they do in nursing, to see how some of those will resonate with you. Also check the Specialties area and browse through the ones that look interesting, regardless of what you think your chances are of ever doing them. You will find inspiration there, too.

Nursing opens so many doors that the fearful and disappointed (mostly newer) people never even know exist. I would do it again in a heartbeat.

[friendlyjane]

PTA is an aide position, with good hands-on patient care experience but zero autonomy. If you want a job that has regular daytime hours that you can come home and forget, maybe that will suit you. Becoming a PT now requires doctorate-level education, so if you decide you want to go on you'll have a loooong road ahead.

I hear you about reading so much negativity on AN but strongly, very strongly, recommend you search out the threads on why people love what they do in nursing, to see how some of those will resonate with you. Also check the Specialties area and browse through the ones that look interesting, regardless of what you think your chances are of ever doing them. You will find inspiration there, too.

Nursing opens so many doors that the fearful and disappointed (mostly newer) people never even know exist. I would do it again in a heartbeat.

Thanks GrnTea. I always do think many that are so burned out or are having a hard time, it is either bad work environment or wrong specialty. My heart always seems to go to nursing. Thanks again GrnTea. I am kind of honored you responded to my post.

[hope3456, ASN, RN]

You probably have also read here on all nurses about the difficulties new grads often face in finding employment. I don't know for sure but I suspect that as a PTA you might not be facing as much competition as there aren't as many programs for PTA as there are nursing schools. I worked with the PTA and a COTA in a LTC and they both seemed happy with their jobs.

[applewhitern, BSN, RN]

PTA is a wide open field in my area, and they make more than RN's.

[friendlyjane]

Thanks guys. I guess I have some time to think about it. Wish me luck.