What Are Some Good Reasons to Become a PT?

Jasmine, thanks for leading up our student section. Interesting question.

I think Carli might be a little mi-guided if she is getting into PT because its “low stress”??

We welcome people interested in bocomming PTs to spend some time in our clinics – I think volunteering is the best way to figure out if PT is a good fit.

Thanks, Adam. So would you say that being a PT is “high stress?”

I would say its “hard work”. Especially to be a “good” PT. The best PTs have specific high level knowledge, and they build their reputation. Reputations aren’t built overnight – they are built over time.

Like any profession, to be the best, you have to work hard at it.

Jasmine,
One plus to being a PT is the positive effect that you have on the individuals you treat. Many individuals will present to you because they are in pain or can’t move a certain way, and if you are successful, you will decrease their pain or get them moving better. That stated, there is a certain amount of stress when the individuals you treat don’t get better or don’t respond to what you do or don’t comply with what you believe would help them.

A plus to being a PT is the hours are great and there is currently alot more autonomy then there was a few years ago. Many states have direct access which you means you can evaluate and treat a patient without a medical referral.

I wouldn’t say that you start out “making bank” and it takes alot of hardwork to get to the point which you do. Pay is definitely regional and dependent on the area of PT in which you work, but in Pittsburgh, a new graduate practicing outpatient PT will make around $60,000. This isn’t a bad starting salary, but considering you spent 4 years of undergraduate and 3 years of graduate studies, if you are looking to make money, you may want to consider going another year into D.O or M.D program.

I would say I am extremely satisfied being a PT and believe it is an exciting time to be a PT. This generation of PTs have a higher level of entry-level practice education and the autonomy of practice has grown significantly. I think everyone who contributes to this site would agree it is a great field to be part of.

As a PT for over 25 years, I’ve seen a lot of changes. As a PT in the Army, I saw over 200 patients/week—myself. Not “low stress” by any means. In the past 5 years (I’ve been a civilian since 1990), I’ve worked significantly harder for less reimbursement. Since our vision is “Best Results, Least Visits. (R)”–we are highly accountable and manage patients much more closely—that involves time, conscience, and continual learning. Again, anything but “low stress.” But, the non-monetary rewards are what it’s all about!

PT can be an extremely rewarding profession, I went into PT school, right from high school, so consider myself extremely fortunate to have found something I love doing, and gives me satisfaction at the end of every day. (and it’s fun) While it certainly has had it’s challenges over the years, I’ve been presented with some fantastic opportunities and have learned so much personally and professionally. I would consider PT
(1) If you like people
(2) enjoy problem solving
(3) derive satisfaction from helping others
If you’re passionate about it, and are prepared to work hard, money will come, but I agree with Leanne, the non monetary rewards are what it’s all about!
Good luck

PT is an incredible profession- and it’s so exciting that we’re placed in a really interesting market position at the moment because no-one can do what we do- and to do it well is certainly not low-stress by any means! Learning the theory and techniques, the clinical reasoning and developing the exotic perceptual skills to analyse the subtlety of movement takes time, reflection and continued learning. But it’s also a challenge, and a very fulfilling challenge at that.
Maybe I work in the wrong country but I wouldn’t say it’s a profession that ‘makes bank’- i could do many ‘easier’ things for the same money or make a lot more money for the same effort in different fields, but I do what I do because i like to be a part of changing person’s experience of their body and what it really is capable of! And with growth in expertise, reputation and profile, we will gain the standing we deserve as a profession from a renumeration perspective.

Thanks so much for the comments, everyone! Very inspiring stuff that make me believe that I am entering the right field.

Hi all,

I posted this in the “Students” section of the website but figured I can post here as well to get more feedback.

I’m a 25-y/o college grad aspiring to become a PT. I am hoping that there is someone in my situation that I can take advice from.

You see, I come from a very different educational background. I studied marketing management in college under the impression that possessing a career in the business world was a stepping stone towards personal success. My parents and many peers of mine egged me on to study what was hot at the time. After two years of study, I began to lose motivation. I felt like I was working towards something that I knew I was not meant to do. I began to lack desire, and as a result, my grades slipped. Unhappy with where I was going, I decided to finish up my courses and graduated college with poor GPA and no academic achievements.

After much self-evaluation over the last few years, I finally decided that PT was a field that I can see myself being passionate about. There are a few reasons why I found PT very appealing. 1- I’ve always imagined myself helping others in a clinical hands-on kind of way. 2- I find the human body intriguing not only for the power that any given anatomy can possess, but also for it’s physiological connection to the human mind. 3- I have a deep, personal connection to my own human anatomy, which has seen great change over the last few years.

However, upon doing much research, many PT grad programs that I have inquired to left me very discouraged. I have been told by particular schools that if I were to apply to their PT grad programs, I would be skipped over immediately, with no shot for entry, because of my low GPA and lack of experience. As rejected as I’ve been feeling, I couldn’t help but think that there has to be some way to make this seemingly impossible goal a reality.

I just recently reached out to the director of a PT facility about volunteering, which seems to be the only option I have at this point. I am willing to work hard and dedicate my life to this profession, if the chance is given to me. I am hoping that this is a good start, and would appreciate any advice that is shared.

Thank you!

Hey Vicky,

I’m also a hopeful applicant so hopefully my research will help clarify your concerns. Almost all PT schools require applicants to have a GPA of at least 3.0 for both overall undergraduate classes and for core requirement classes. If you’re GPA is below you can enroll in classes at a local community college or a University that accepts non-enrolled students in order to bring up your grades. Although the latter may be more pricey, admissions committees will look more favorably upon courses taken at a 4-year University. Also, all of the accredited programs I’ve researched require applicants to have at least 100 hours of volunteer/shadowing experience to be eligible, but this will be easy for you to attain! Just contact PTs in your area and I’m sure you will be able to get experience under your belt before applying.

Don’t give up! If you stay focused on the goal of becoming a PT then it is entirely possible. It sounds like you’re passionate about this field so all you need to do is complete the requirements and express that passion in your application.

Hope that helped…Good luck!

I am a freshmen in university, and I decided I want to be a physical therapy. I did quite know why until I went to the chiropractor with my mother. He helped my mother gain back mobility and changed both of our lives. He has seen me grow up over the years. But people ask me why not become a nurse they make good money, physical therapist don’t make a whole lot. I always thought it was a high stress job. You can potentially change peoples lives for the better. Sorry if this isn’t relevant, to the post.