i GRADUATED AT 38 AFTER CHANGING PROFESSIONS. i HAVE BEEN A PT FOR 12 YEARS NOW AND MADE 160K THIS YEAR IN HOME HEALTH, SAVED 100K. I CAN EASILY CONTINUE WORKING 10 OR MORE YEARS.
JG
JULIAN
of AZ
@
Oct 30, 2009 23:40:11 PM
Todd
@ Todd of PA
Your age should not be a deterrent unless you have a problem working with/for a supervisor who may be younger than you. If you are healthy and qualified for this profession... go for it. Demographics are on our side and finding employment will not be any trouble, at least not because of your age. I hired Physical Therapists in their 5oies and would do it again.
Peter
of NJ
@
Oct 30, 2009 16:35:44 PM
Applying
Has anyone applied to PT school after the age of 25? I am debating going to physician assistant school just because i know that older (25 and up) can usually gain acceptance there. I really want to be a PT, but I feel like I am getting to old for a DPT program if I graduate at 28 or 29. Any advice?
Todd
of PA
@
Oct 29, 2009 17:48:16 PM
to Jimmy of MT
absolutely not. physical therapy and physical education are very different fields. to teach PE, you need an education degree (on the bachelor level). if you got a PT degree (which will require a 3-year doctorate in all states by 2020 according to the www.apta.org website), you will be WAY over-qualified for PE (but still won't have the required education classes) and the pay scales are very different. pick one or the other, but don't think they are interchangeable. they are definitely NOT.
Julie
of GA
@
Oct 19, 2009 11:26:53 AM
Can I teach Phys. Ed if I take a PT major?
can anyone tell me if I can be a Physical Education teacher if I choose PT as a major? In other words, will I have taken the correct classes to still become a gym teacher if I change my mind about PT?
Jimmy
of MT
@
Oct 18, 2009 19:45:56 PM
Pete
What will cuts in Medicare do to a profession that relies so heavily on it? It seems to me that while the cost of education has increased with little apparent benefit currently, the salaries are looking to decrease in the future. People say the DPT will increase salary. This has not been the case. A BsPT gets paid exactly the same amount and probably more because of their experience. There is no additional marketable benefit for attaining the DPT. What determines salary is a third party payor. The public won't pay out of pocket for what's being charged currently for rehabilitation services. PTs are constantly pleading against Medicare cuts and caps of rehabilitation services. Medicare is headed for bankruptcy in 7 or so years. Cuts are going to happen some place. Unfortunately it looks as if the one area that is going be hit are the rehabilitation services. PTAs will be a very valuable commodity in the future of physical therapy. They'll be needed to help control costs and will provide the majority of the treaments. The APTA 2020 vision is idealistic and not likely to happen. Not trying to be debbie downer over here. Just giving more info.
pete
of FL
@
Oct 17, 2009 19:19:16 PM
Don't believe PT III
Life isn't that simple. The statement of PT III is extremely rare. They most likely work for a POP (Physician owned practice). Although it is a very rewarding field it has its pros and cons. Salary is dependent on experience, environment, and national region. Do more research in the subject and get observation hours. Luckily you don't need to know if PT is your profession until after you graduate because you get to go onto more schooling. PT is one of those professions that the sky is the limit. We are understaffed and spread thin regarding how many specialties we have.
KB of ATL
of GA
@
Oct 16, 2009 22:27:01 PM
i will like to be a pt's
can somebody tell me if a physical T is a good career and if it has jobs opportunities.. i really need to know because i have to make a choice before a week i have to register in college and is almost here ... help !!!
nina
@
Oct 15, 2009 11:34:20 AM
questions
PT III said his
her employer paid for schooling. May I ask, who is that employer?
Thanks
KJ
of FL
@
Oct 12, 2009 16:59:39 PM
PT III
Most PT's I know make $80,000 or higher and we have the weekends and holidays off. RN's and PA's often think they have better pay but I work banker's 8:00 to 4:30 with a hour lunch and they ofter work more than 40 hours a week some work 12 to 16 hrs a day, not so with PT's. I am getting my Doctorate paid in full by my employer and I have a $4'500 / yr pention benefit and a $4,000 per year 401 K employer match benfit. I also have a free wellness membership and free CEU benfits as well as medical. All together the actual monatary amount I am paid yearly is around $93,000 not including medical.
I think we are paid fairly and if not we can find another employer who will treat us well because we are highly sought after. We get results and we have an excellent set of treatment skills to improve function many times without surgery or medicine.
JULIAN of AZ @ Oct 30, 2009 23:40:11 PM
Peter of NJ @ Oct 30, 2009 16:35:44 PM
Todd of PA @ Oct 29, 2009 17:48:16 PM
Julie of GA @ Oct 19, 2009 11:26:53 AM
Jimmy of MT @ Oct 18, 2009 19:45:56 PM
pete of FL @ Oct 17, 2009 19:19:16 PM
KB of ATL of GA @ Oct 16, 2009 22:27:01 PM
nina @ Oct 15, 2009 11:34:20 AM
KJ of FL @ Oct 12, 2009 16:59:39 PM
Bob of IL @ Oct 12, 2009 13:55:18 PM
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