PTA, LPN or RN?

catlady, BSN, RN · Jul 31, 2006

I'm wondering if there is anyone out there that became PTA's (physical therapist assistant's),LPN's or RN's. Which one of these careers would you prefer and explain why? Compare their salary, kind of work, and stress level of each.

This is allnurses.com and you're wondering if there's anyone out there who's become an LPN or an RN. Hokay. There are thousands of threads archived discussing why people like/dislike what they do, how much they make, and how stressed they are. I recommend you do a little research, and then come back with some specific questions based on what you've read, rather than a request that sounds like a term paper.

Someone will be along directly to tell me I'm being mean and unsupportive. Pay no nevermind.

br107 · Jul 31, 2006

i'm still considering pta and pt, as well as rn. i happened to check pay at a local hospital just this morning....pta and lpn arent in the same league as far as rn pay. at this hospital, entry ptas and lpn were making just over half of what an entry rn does. i'm sure the gap widens even more after years of experience.

KellNY, RN · Jul 31, 2006

Someone will be along directly to tell me I'm being mean and unsupportive. Pay no nevermind.

:roll Not I! Good advice! (and I like your pic...looks kinda like my kitty)

gonzo1, ASN, RN · Jul 31, 2006

I do agree that you could have researched this a little, but I have done both PTA and RN so I will give you the benefit of doubt and my 2cents worth. I first became a PTA and then an RN.

Just as there is a huge debate between which is better ADN vs BSN, there is a huge debate as the the extent that PTAs should practice, what their job duties are, blah blah blah. When I did that (still do limited basis) I never had a problem, but was afraid that eventually PTA might be phased out because PT is going to a doctorate level for entry into practice. As a PTA your scope of practice is somewhat limited. And your work opportunity is somewhat limited. Your choices are outpatient, hospital, LTC, occupational rehab. A few PTAs do own their own business's, but this is not the norm.

Some specialize into somthng like water therapy etc.

For me the difference between the two jobs were night and day, and I don't have all day because in a couple of hours I am leaving on vacation but here goes.

In therapy you have to be very patient, you might work with someone for a long time and see little progress in their condition. You are sometimes a cop (people come and therapy and just want to chat with you and each other) you have to keep telling them to get back to work. You have to make them do stuff that hurts them (bending knees after surgery etc).

Being an ER nurse, like I am now is an instant gratification thing. Stuff is fast, not slow, person comes in in pain, you give em something to take pain away, person comes in not breathing well. We can usually fix that quickly too. With nursing there are a million career paths, PTA much more limited. As a nurse you can do cancer, rehab, trauma, neuro, sx, pacu, peds, community health, school nurse, it goes on and on. Also PT shops are usuallly open Mon-Frid 7am to 7 pm. Not as much opportunity to vary your schedule or work overtime. Of course you get holidays off. But you can do that in some types of nursing too.

Nurses have the potentioal to make a lot more money.

I hope this helps you a little bit. It is not all inclusive. I don't have time to write a book on this, but I could. Or someone who knows how to write could.

If you have more questions you can email me, but I will now be gone for 2-3 weeks so it will be a while before you get a reply.

Good luck with your search for knowledge. I am glad I have both degrees, they work great together.

HARRN2b · Jul 31, 2006

A few years back my anatomy instructor said that many of her friends came out of college and easily made six figures being a PT. Back then, there were not as many schools and the insurance companies were not as limiting on visits and $ per visit as they are now. Also, people did not have the high co pays. I hate to say this and someone will slam me, but the elderly used it as a social outing. They would see their friends at PT and it was a social event. My parents told me this as they saw it in their community in Florida. THINGS HAVE CHANGED!!! Now, things are also changing for other medical personnel. The republicans tried to pass a bill last year that would have stopped overtime. You would work 60 hours per week for the same pay. It did not pass. BUT, who knows, it could in the future. So, my friend, do not go into nursing for $$ as things can change depending on the political climate. Also, Bill Frist is running, most likely, for president in the next election. His family owns HCA. Do you think you will see changes in healthcare should me win the election??? Food for thought.

laurabdavis · Jun 12, 2011

I do agree that you could have researched this a little, but I have done both PTA and RN so I will give you the benefit of doubt and my 2cents worth. I first became a PTA and then an RN.
Just as there is a huge debate between which is better ADN vs BSN, there is a huge debate as the the extent that PTAs should practice, what their job duties are, blah blah blah. When I did that (still do limited basis) I never had a problem, but was afraid that eventually PTA might be phased out because PT is going to a doctorate level for entry into practice. As a PTA your scope of practice is somewhat limited. And your work opportunity is somewhat limited. Your choices are outpatient, hospital, LTC, occupational rehab. A few PTAs do own their own business's, but this is not the norm.
Some specialize into somthng like water therapy etc.
For me the difference between the two jobs were night and day, and I don't have all day because in a couple of hours I am leaving on vacation but here goes.
In therapy you have to be very patient, you might work with someone for a long time and see little progress in their condition. You are sometimes a cop (people come and therapy and just want to chat with you and each other) you have to keep telling them to get back to work. You have to make them do stuff that hurts them (bending knees after surgery etc).
Being an ER nurse, like I am now is an instant gratification thing. Stuff is fast, not slow, person comes in in pain, you give em something to take pain away, person comes in not breathing well. We can usually fix that quickly too. With nursing there are a million career paths, PTA much more limited. As a nurse you can do cancer, rehab, trauma, neuro, sx, pacu, peds, community health, school nurse, it goes on and on. Also PT shops are usuallly open Mon-Frid 7am to 7 pm. Not as much opportunity to vary your schedule or work overtime. Of course you get holidays off. But you can do that in some types of nursing too.
Nurses have the potentioal to make a lot more money.
I hope this helps you a little bit. It is not all inclusive. I don't have time to write a book on this, but I could. Or someone who knows how to write could.
If you have more questions you can email me, but I will now be gone for 2-3 weeks so it will be a while before you get a reply.
Good luck with your search for knowledge. I am glad I have both degrees, they work great together.

Ok, so I have worked as a PTA in Oklahoma for 17 years. I have the same concerns that you have above and am simply burnt out. Can you tell me what type of RN program you went into, how long it took, and how you got into the ER nursing? That is exactly what I want to do!! My husband and I spoke about it today over dinner.....I definately want to pursue it, however, want to do it rather quickly and efficiently. Hope you can give me some advice!!!

laurabdavis · Jun 12, 2011

Ok, so I have worked as a PTA in Oklahoma for 17 years. I have the same concerns that you have above and am simply burnt out. Can you tell me what type of RN program you went into, how long it took, and how you got into the ER nursing? That is exactly what I want to do!! My husband and I spoke about it today over dinner.....I definately want to pursue it, however, want to do it rather quickly and efficiently. Hope you can give me some advice!!!

gonzo1, ASN, RN · Jun 13, 2011

I did an associate degree at a community college. There will of course be pre-reqs. It is kind of scary right now because the recession has really killed nursing and new grads are not getting jobs. However, nursing cycles and by the time you are out of school there will most likely be a nursing shortage again.

Also, if you are willing to be flexible there are nursing jobs. Problem is a lot of new grads want to come out of school and go straight to the ER or ICU for what they percieve to be the "cool" jobs. But if you are willing to do dialysis, or school nurse or nursing home you have a better chance at a job.

Nursing can be rough. Nurses can be really mean to each other, hours are long. I work 12 hour shifts with no breaks, and that is the norm. However, I love the job, feel respected and rewarded and am very glad I did it.

gonzo1, ASN, RN · Jun 13, 2011

It took about 4 years, but I worked while going. It requires a complete dedication to schoolwork and will completely blow your grade average. But I love it