RN to Physical Therapy or Massage

[WildRoseRN]

Any RNs who have made lateral switch to physical therapy or massage?

It's been over a year since I graduated with an AS. Applied to countless hospitals in NY, TX, & FL. None accepted me into their RN orientation program. No one will hire new grads without a year of experience either. I looked into going back to school, but even cheapest online BSN or MS are unaffordable for me right now.

I've heard there is growth in PT...but that's what I heard about nursing when I started school! A friend gave me some massage lessons and it doesn't seem hard to get competent. Only problem is getting certified/licensed. I think pretty much every state requires hundreds of hours in formal classes?

I'm wondering if being an RN counts for anything academically? Or at least towards a regional/national certification? I'm even considering working abroad. I've found some countries in Asia where having any kind of healthcare background seems good enough to at least do massage. As a foreign student I might even have a better chance at a scholarship too. This appeals to me because I might actually be able to start working and gain experience BEFORE graduating.

[akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P]

While I can't speak to massage, I can (a little bit) about Physical Therapy, if you're thinking about becoming a Physical Therapist. PT licensure requires that you have a Masters in PT. That means you must meet the requirements for entry into their program. Your undergrad degree doesn't have to be "Pre-Physical Therapy" but looking at a Pre-PT program will show you what coursework is required as that degree is designed to prepare you for entry to a PT Masters program. Just compare your coursework with theirs, and look at the entry requirements and you'll have a good idea what you'll need to do.

It's not easy to be a Physical Therapist. I happen to have some appreciation for what they do. My particular skill-set in rehab, while extensive, is limited primarily to working with athletes. They have to work with the entire population...

[smoup]

Another option with physical therapy is to get your Physical Therapy Assistant degree from a community college. I have no idea what the job market looks like for them at this time.

[NJprisonrn]

I was a massage therapist long before I went into nursing. It's not something that I wanted to do forever (I practiced for 11 years) but it is a great job. You can work for yourself or be an employee. School can be done in as little as 6 months (full time) or a year. I can always use it as a part time gig, but I don't do it much anymore now that I'm a working RN in a full time NP program. I can certainly recommend it, especially since it will always be a usable skill. However, don't give up on nursing. Have you tried alternative areas like prisons? A state prison hired me as a new grad with no experience when I had been rejected by every other hospital, LTC, and Adult Day Care place. Even though I don't work there anymore, I am forever grateful.

[Nurse SMS, MSN, RN]

Yeah, becoming a PT is definitely not a "lateral move". You will need a lot more education. It sounds a little bit like you are knee jerking on this without actually looking at educational requirements and the pay grades and marketability.

Do a little looking around and really evaluate what you truly would like to do. Personally, were I to change from nursing I would look at respiratory therapy.