Hey Rn's,,do you ever wish you had done physical therapy instead?

GreyGull · Mar 30, 2011

I always wondered why there are so many doctor's of physical therapy, their work seems more like something a CNA would do. ;0

I guess you've never watched them do an assessment, read their charting or assist getting a quadriplegic transitioned to a "normal" life. I have the greatest respect for these professionals and many also know their limits to where they do rely on others which is why successful care teams are MULTIDISCIPLINARY. Now, nursing just needs to advance their education as all the other health care professions have or have plans to advance on the table. The BSN minimun is long over due to keep up with all the advances in health care. Sometimes as the professions that continue to get more education to secure their place in the medical world, there may be a little perceived impatience for a profession that continues to argue against even a BSN and that a tech degree will suffice which is essentially what the Associates still is.

do you ever wish you had been a pta or pt instead? fall is coming up and i can't decide on adn/rn or pta. talk to me.....thanks...

The PTA is an assistant to the Physical Therapist. You will be at the low end of their food chain. Many of the prequisite classes will transfer over to nursing if you decide it is not for you somewhere down the road. But, if you want to remain in the PT field, you may have to consider going for the Doctorate of PT which is an extensive committment but worth it in the long run. Right now PT is one of the favorite darlings for reimbursement although that could also change.

UpstateNyDollCna · Mar 30, 2011

I always wondered why there are so many doctor's of physical therapy, their work seems more like something a CNA would do. ;0

Although I think a doctorate is a bit much to be a PT, I think it is bit absurd for you to compare the work of a CNA with the work of a PT. Both are very valuable to the medical field but to say one is like the other is ridiculous.

Flo., BSN, RN · Mar 30, 2011

Working on the ortho floor I have often thought about going to PT school. Then I looked into it and saw what the classes they need. No thank you!

glutton4punishment · Mar 30, 2011

:confused:

If you plan on getting an ADN you should also plan to get your BSN, since associate degree RN's are not considered nurses anymore. You will most likely not be able to find a job as an ADN since most facilities will only hire BSN's.:mad::mad:
I'm not considered a nurse anymore?
Go for nursing! Where I live, the pay is better...and it goes without saying that there is much more variety.

RNYC · Mar 30, 2011

If you plan on getting an ADN you should also plan to get your BSN, since associate degree RN's are not considered nurses anymore. You will most likely not be able to find a job as an ADN since most facilities will only hire BSN's.:mad::mad:
I'm not considered a nurse anymore?
Go for nursing! Where I live, the pay is better...and it goes without saying that there is much more variety.
and 3...2...1 - cue the ADN vs BSN debate!

glutton4punishment · Mar 30, 2011

and 3...2...1 - cue the ADN vs BSN debate!
:lol2:LOL:lol2:
No debate here, I guess I didn't get that memo about not being a nurse anymore:lol2:

RNYC · Mar 30, 2011

:lol2:LOL:lol2:
No debate here, I guess I didn't get that memo about not being a nurse anymore:lol2:
I'm BSN and even I found that comment to be way off color...its like a bad joke budumpdump ching! (crickets)

TorsadesDePointesRN · Mar 30, 2011

PT never interested me. I'd rather hand someone a sandwich after a cupful of meds and be on my merry way.

*tongue firmly planted in cheek

pacnwRN · Mar 30, 2011

If you plan on getting an ADN you should also plan to get your BSN, since associate degree RN's are not considered nurses anymore. You will most likely not be able to find a job as an ADN since most facilities will only hire BSN's.:mad::mad:
I'm not considered a nurse anymore?
Go for nursing! Where I live, the pay is better...and it goes without saying that there is much more variety.
I think this varies by region, in the NW most hospitals prefer experience over education..

Heidi the nurse, BSN, RN · Mar 30, 2011

PT, or OT or speech - all the time :) I work in the school system and have shared offices with all 3 and think I would love what they do. Unfortunately I would have to back to school and get a bachelors, then Masters to do what they do though.

GM2RN · Mar 30, 2011

I like nursing, but I have an interest in both, so if I had known the reality of nursing before doing it, I would have gone into PT instead. Why? The short answer is that in nursing, there is way too much responsibility and accountability without any authority to make necessary changes for the compensation that nurses are typically paid, even in lower levels of management.

PTs are MUCH better compensated. However, if you go the PT route you should not hesitate. PTs require a minimum of a masters degree, and I believe they are trying to change it to a doctorate.

PTAs are compensated similarly to RNs, and can be done with an associates, but some employers will require a bachelors.

RNYC · Mar 30, 2011

I like nursing, but I have an interest in both, so if I had known the reality of nursing before doing it, I would have gone into PT instead. Why? The short answer is that in nursing, there is way too much responsibility and accountability without any authority to make necessary changes for the compensation that nurses are typically paid, even in lower levels of management.
PTs are MUCH better compensated. However, if you go the PT route you should not hesitate. PTs require a minimum of a masters degree, and I believe they are trying to change it to a doctorate.
PTAs are compensated similarly to RNs, and can be done with an associates, but some hiring facilities may require a bachelors.

PTs make a lot more than some nurses?...don't assume the career doesn't have earning potential on the RN side once people get experience. Also CRNA vs. PT there zero comparison in compensation CRNAs make out double PT salary.