Career in physical therapy vs. nursing..

PT2RN2CRNA · Oct 16, 2011

I graduated with a BSPT (back then it was a 5 yr. bachelor's degree only) and worked for 3 years as a PT until my employer, who was sponsoring my work visa decided to shut down their business operations. I was forced to convert my work visa to a student visa to avoid being sent back home (no work= invalid work visa). I decide to get my associate's degree in RN. After one semester in nursing school, I was re-sponsored by another therapy company for a green card. I worked part-time for the company as a PT, averaging 25 hours a week while continuing to pursue my RN degree. After graduation, I worked full time as an RN in ICU and part-time as PT to make-up the salary difference. I was making less working as an RN full-time but enjoyed working in critical care. After 1 1/2 years in ICU, I applied in CRNA school and was accepted right away on my first try. I became a CRNA at age 32 and have been practicing for 6 years now at a teaching hospital 4 days a week doing different types of anesthesia for different surgeries as well as OB anesthesia. I also keep a solo practice 2 days a week (averaging 9 hours a week) with 2 opthalmologists in a busy cataract surgery center. I love my current job now. I also get a lot of vacation time...on average 6 weeks a year. I still keep my PT license active and currently pursuing a terminal degree, an ScD in PT with a focus on orthpedics and manual therapy while working 2 jobs and being a family man. I hope of getting in academia someday or branching out to pain management where I can combine my diagnostic skills and manual therapy as a PT and anesthesia.