CNA to PTA, or CNA to ADN to PTA, or...?

Emmjay · Nov 18, 2007

PTA?? I'm not exactly sure.....is that physical therapist assistant?

Or....what? Sorry to not quite know!!

Thanks

baldee · Nov 23, 2007

PTA?? I'm not exactly sure.....is that physical therapist assistant?
Or....what? Sorry to not quite know!!
Thanks

Yes it is. It is a compassionate way to help people that I already know many interfacing disciplines (and don't have to change diapers or give baths to 400 lb men in one hour limits).

Emmjay · Nov 24, 2007

Are you trying to decide between becoming an RN vs a PTA?

As a former PTA (trying to re-instate my license after being out of the field 5 years) and current RN......I would absolutely go for the PTA.

It is much less stressful, and you are not pushing meds on people but pushing them to become more independent. There are also many different settings you can be a PTA......acute hospital, rehab, nursing home, out patient orthopedic......you don't have to do anything school wise in terms of being certified in anything else. You mentioned CNA. Being a CNA pretty much has nothing to do with being a PTA......and you certainly don't have to be a CNA before you go into physical therapy. If you are already a CNA, it is helpful , especially if you want to work in a nursing home or in a hospital, because you already know how to move patients and assist them.

It's just my opinion, but I would def go for the PTA!!!!!!

baldee · Nov 25, 2007

Are you trying to decide between becoming an RN vs a PTA?
As a former PTA (trying to re-instate my license after being out of the field 5 years) and current RN......I would absolutely go for the PTA.
It is much less stressful, and you are not pushing meds on people but pushing them to become more independent. There are also many different settings you can be a PTA......acute hospital, rehab, nursing home, out patient orthopedic......you don't have to do anything school wise in terms of being certified in anything else. You mentioned CNA. Being a CNA pretty much has nothing to do with being a PTA......and you certainly don't have to be a CNA before you go into physical therapy. If you are already a CNA, it is helpful , especially if you want to work in a nursing home or in a hospital, because you already know how to move patients and assist them.
It's just my opinion, but I would def go for the PTA!!!!!!

Thanks Emmjay,

That's the way I was leaning. The CNA is just to earn money until become PTA. I've got 3 or 4 of my old degree transcripts now (, or the main ones), and was going to MCC to see counselors of approved PTA and RN programs. The PTA would at least be about 3 semesters if anything transferred, and seemingly volunteer work is about all I've seen in PTA job market until get the degree :trout:

The RN route seems much more competitive, but may be better to earn as I learn (although mostly diaper changes and one hour baths). I have learned a lot from getting HHA (company) certified and this site of RN experts (THANKS TO ALL!).

I appreciate your input. I've also heard PTA's days may be numbered since PTs are so common now. But to me, PTA's seemed more like nurses who actually do the therapy, and PT's seem to analyze and instruct the PTA's. PT degrees for well over $100K seem awful risky for me comparing the salary rates and expectations of jobs in each field.

Theoretically, I may get RN degree almost as quick as can PTA (if credits and waiting list priorities agree). But I'm a little overwhelmed now with the possible outcomes, so will have much better idea when speak to local Community College counselors in each field. I'm just glad I've got an excellent resource 2 miles away which kind of narrowed these 2 possibilities down. I enjoy learning, school, helping people, and challenges so either or both paths simultaneously will be fun. Nursing students seem especially fun, except maybe when competing with their livelihoods, lol.

Emmjay · Nov 25, 2007

B,

I wish you well in whatever you choose. There is a PT tech job that you could do while in school to do PTA. They are usually at outpatient orthopedic offices, where you help the PT's and PTAs with the flow of patients, and you get to learn a lot about the field (the orthopedic field, anyway). It pretty much gives you similar experience if you were a tech for nurses in a hospital. If you do go the RN route, you might enjoy being a tech in an ER.....you get lots of experience there in terms of starting IV's.....doing EKG's.......you get to do quite a bit.

I don't think, although am not positive since I've been out of the field a while, that PTA's are going away. Cuz they save employers a lot of money!! They do all that a PT does except the initial evaluation, yet they get paid about half as much.....and they are utilized quite a bit.

I do see jobs for them where I live for sure.

Okie dokie........you have a good one.

Emm

baldee · Nov 26, 2007

B,
I wish you well in whatever you choose. There is a PT tech job that you could do while in school to do PTA. They are usually at outpatient orthopedic offices, where you help the PT's and PTAs with the flow of patients, and you get to learn a lot about the field (the orthopedic field, anyway). It pretty much gives you similar experience if you were a tech for nurses in a hospital. If you do go the RN route, you might enjoy being a tech in an ER.....you get lots of experience there in terms of starting IV's.....doing EKG's.......you get to do quite a bit.
I don't think, although am not positive since I've been out of the field a while, that PTA's are going away. Cuz they save employers a lot of money!! They do all that a PT does except the initial evaluation, yet they get paid about half as much.....and they are utilized quite a bit.
I do see jobs for them where I live for sure.
Okie dokie........you have a good one.
Emm

That sounds more like the truth. Its funny that the PT just does initial evaluation, because the human body heals quickly. And I would give more worth to someone who could react to individual symptoms as they change rather than give a 'safe' evaluation: which would take longer in time and random results from the 'starting point'.

My experience with PT's and PTA's were one good in each category: a PT I knew and a Supervisor athletic PTA. I think this is a field with great opportunity: like the Supervisor athletic PTA that had no equals in 2 different clinical settings of Hospital and Health South.

Its leaning that way and thanks for the info. Changing diapers and bathing 400 lb men just doesn't sound too glamorous at this point. I'll know more after talking with counselors