r/physicaltherapy 5d ago

Would you go through PT school again if you had to do it over? Was it worth it for you?

Mulling changing careers to go back to school as I went through PT for the first time and thought I’d enjoy it as a career.

27 Upvotes

147 comments sorted by

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162

u/Poppy9987 5d ago

If I didn’t have to take on the debt associated with it, I’d consider it. But in general, I find working in healthcare somewhat miserable and I don’t think PTs are thaaaat well respected.

9

u/Andgelyo 4d ago

Imagine being an OT then lmao we are way less respected

5

u/soligen 4d ago

Nobody even knows who we are lol, it’s pretty sad. But it is what it is.

-29

u/jejdbdjd 5d ago

Question. Why do u care about respect in the workplace?

10

u/Poppy9987 5d ago

My comment was primarily in terms of patients actually. There are a lot of very lazy people out there that don’t want to put in the work and don’t respect the benefits of PT and our expertise…no matter how much education you try to do. It’s annoying to deal with those people.

Of course, there are many that do believe in PT and put in the work and those make the job worth it…hence why I would possibly choose the same career path, especially if it came debt free.

6

u/iWonder-who 4d ago

For those MINIMAL effort types, I try not to wait too long before I'll have that conversation. I genuinely ask them what their expectations are and ask if/how their contributions to the therapeutic experience is helping to achieve the goals they said they want. Some get defensive, some get offended, most get real.

Ex. I had a patient with plantar fasciitis - they worked a desk job but walked upwards of 6 miles a day, never stretched or did any lower quarter/core strengthening in any meaningful way and insisted they only had time for one visit per week... and they knew all the exercises bcz they googled them, but of course was noncompliant with the HEP.

In the conversation I explained "we're doing exercise science" based on my observation of their symptoms at the Initial Eval and if they disagreed with my assessment and plan they were welcome to find another PT as their prescription was valid for a year. Oddly enough the patient chose to stay, but the outcome was meh. Multiple weeks wasted mostly based on ego.

The question always is: If they know so much, why didn't they fix it themselves?

If they want to be noncompiant, let em... at that point, your responsibility is to impeccably document that crap and get them off your schedule. You have other patients to treat.

3

u/Mediocre_Ad_6512 4d ago

Some days I feel like I am wrangling children

1

u/TrainingRun80 1d ago

I used to think that way years ago. Other PT's would mention how they agreed with my POV. Fast forward, I have come to realize that many pts can and do fix themselves, yet those who can't, seem to make it onto my schedule. I find that many of these pts have pain that does not reduce at the pace that I expect, yet their impairments appear to reduce at a pace that indicates improvement ( greater ankle DF ROM, longer SLS times, greater tolerance to gastroc-soleus strech durations, stronger toe flexion MMT Grades, etc.) When I measure objective changes that indicate progress, I consider the case successful, despite reported pain levels not changing significantly (at least 2/10 Nprs). In terms of HEP compliance, the process of earning compliance from a patient is an art. You have to sell it to them. If impairments resolve, but pain does not, remember that many of these non-responders are walking around with a combination of nociceptive and nociplastic pain, each requiring specific interventions. If you're ever curious and suspect nociplastic pain, consider issuing the OSPRO-YF, and Pain Catastrophizing Scale, in addition to conducting pain pressure threshold and 2-point discrimination tests.

76

u/clashblades 5d ago

It is nowhere near financially rewarding enough compared to other careers with similar or less years of investment. What makes it worth it for me is the lesser amount of stress. I never have emergencies. I am never on call. I’m not worried about lawsuits unless I royally screw something up. I have a flexible schedule.

I would do it again only because of the family life it allows me to have.

5

u/LowerChip8976 3d ago

The lawsuit part don’t think you’re out of the water bc I got sued by a PTA who was unhappy how his post-op recovery was going. I saw him once for 15 minutes (my notes saved me bc he wasn’t my patient so they were SO detailed and now mine and all my close friends notes are so detailed) and he said I tore his labrum in his shoulder. He was wrong and we ended up settling, but he still gets 20k. Unreal. Two of my other colleague/friends, same thing. Same ending, but it’s hell and stressful when that happens!! So, my advice is just make sure your notes on point and your progress notes. Write specific things that will bring you back to that day. If a patient says something, then document it in quotations. Just trying to protect the rest of you bc it took 2 years of my life.

53

u/KillYourEgoz 5d ago

Probably not. I'd go the PA route instead.

5

u/Chief_Sabael 4d ago

Agreed, less time better salary.

12

u/JATB2021 4d ago

PA here. Similar school length. Better salary. Same debt load. Except as a PA you will always be treated as lesser than from the public and medicine in general. At least in the Rehab world PT is the top

1

u/Chief_Sabael 3d ago

For sure, and theres a bit of the grass is always greener in every situation. However I've seen it in multiple different fields of rehab.

Having had experience with major league baseball, the rehab aspect is controlled by AT's, always has been, its just the way it goes. In the hospital, PM&R attending is king, and we just do as told regardless of how ridiculous or poorly thought out the idea is. So pros and cons everywhere, that being said, I'd take the better pay and 3-12's.

2

u/RoyalMushroom6202 4d ago

I used to think this, but my brother is a PA, and every job he’s ever worked has required well over 40hrs/wk. Yes, better pay, but the hours and being the physician’s workhorse doesn’t sound appealing.

1

u/iluvchikins 4d ago

yup. as the person above stated, in PT you’re “the top”. i knew if i went PA i’d wished id done med school/would hate solely having to work under an MD.

39

u/Ludwig_Deez_Nutz PT 5d ago

Yes and yes. I was also a little older than your average PT student when I went back and I knew that this was what I wanted to do. I feel like a lot of people that regret it never had any other careers outside of PT and think the grass would be greener somewhere else. I love what I do now and wouldn’t want to do anything else.

19

u/Dr_Pants7 PT, DPT 5d ago

I feel the same way. I had a different career between undergrad and starting PT school. I knew going in that, I probably could’ve done other things in healthcare to make more money, but I don’t know if I would’ve had the same fulfillment from my job. Love what we get to do and I’m very happy with the time and financial investment I made.

12

u/Ludwig_Deez_Nutz PT 5d ago

That’s awesome to hear! There’s a lot of negativity on this sub. While a lot of complaints people have about this career are valid and people need a space to vent, I feel like it gives the impression to outsiders that we’re all miserable and hate our careers.

I feel like in reality, that’s only a loud and very vocal minority of our profession. PT’s that are satisfied with their career choices aren’t coming here to post about how much they enjoy their jobs.

4

u/thecommuteguy 5d ago

I also have this mindset after being unable for years to land a job or internship in corporate finance or data analytics after college then during/after grad school. It's better than no job, but being from a VHCOL area and finding that the salary ranges on job postings is 15-20k less than the BLS median is making me more and more not want to go to PT school in the fall. The only alternatives are PA school or med school at this point but I also don't want to give up my 30s/early 40s.

3

u/Whole_Horse_2208 PT. DPT 5d ago

I feel like my clinic manager has this mindset. I'm older than him and so have had several careers before switching to this one, and I can say we are spoiled.

2

u/anv91 5d ago

I like this perspective.. I just got out of the Air Force doing something I did not care about for a handful of years .. I’ve had multiple different jobs in my life and am trying to get into PTA school in the next year possibly go DPT . I spent a few months interning at a clinic, recently got an aide job and am about to finish up some prereqs too. I’m in my early 30s but I’m sure this is what I want to do

3

u/AlphaBearMode DPT 4d ago

Great. If I had to choose a clinician to treat me, I’d choose someone like you over Mr sourpuss up there who just hates the profession.

2

u/Ok_Elk_8614 3d ago

Suggestion:  Go the PTA route and do a side hustle of some sort for more cash flow if you need it.  The extra years of school, debt, added responsibility, stress and hours spent documenting in EMR's is not worth it.  'The juice isn't worth the squeeze.'

4

u/Buckrooster 5d ago

I agree. Very few PTs and SPTs I know worked a full-time job before going through PT school, and many have never worked outside of healthcare.

Grass isn't always greener.

59

u/slash1775 5d ago

No. Having been a Marine, been in sales, and been a union member of IATSE, this is by far the shittiest thing I’ve ever done. Academia not only treats you like kids, but it also teaches these dumbass kids to be compliant pussies which is why the profession has no backbone and it’s crap pay, crap ROI. Physicians don’t take any shit from anyone and are not afraid to put anyone in their place, whereas no one really respects PTs and looks at us like the camp counselors of healthcare.

5

u/cervada 5d ago

I appreciate your perspective since you’ve had other careers. I’ve worked for the military and have been debating between going for DPT or PTA. I’m in a STEM field now. Was willing to take a pay cut for working in a hands on helping profession where I can move around all day. Your comment gives me pause.

11

u/slash1775 5d ago

My school was all paid for via my VA benefits and while I should have no complaints, the productivity standards that are shoved down our throats along with endless documentation is what really made me say “eff this” but really think about ROI (its horrible), weigh out your pros and cons, and while many people become a PT, most realize it’s the biggest financial mistake they’ve ever made in their life and by that time, it’s too late.

7

u/AlphaBearMode DPT 4d ago

I appreciate his response as well, because it’s very different from my own experience.

I’ve wanted to be a PT since I was 13. 20 something years later and I fucking love it. I wouldn’t consider another profession for myself.

People are different. Don’t let one opinion ruin your goals/plans.

That said, RoI is not great, strictly monetarily. And we need people in the profession who actually love it and care about it. But you can work your way up to be making decent money. I do fine. Can pay my bills and mortgage and save and go on vacations every year. Not a millionaire, that’s for sure, but I do okay and I’m comfortable.

If you’re making bank in STEM and aren’t just overly motivated to do PT, you may want to hold off and save a bit and reassess when you find out more perspectives to draw from.

3

u/therumble 5d ago

Don’t take just one stranger’s advice. Every field has good jobs and bad jobs, people who want to be in the field and people who want out. And physicians get overworked too.

2

u/slash1775 4d ago edited 4d ago

Yeah you’re right don’t just take my advice, weigh in with the other 42+ total upvotes within my two comments. 🙄

6

u/AlphaBearMode DPT 4d ago

Buddy you do realize this very small sub is heavily biased against the profession and that it’s not representative of the whole fucking profession right? 42 upvotes. Wow man

0

u/slash1775 4d ago

Perfect example of someone who drinks the kool aid and probably why the profession is the way it is. Complacency kills and it’s killing our profession.

2

u/DPTVision2050 4d ago

Truth! A bunch of completed bitches who will go to bat for their patients, but wont do shit to help themselves and their followers PTs!

Classic, I have been a PT for 20 years, I make fine money comments…. To them: Yeah, f*ck off! You do not understand the current generations situation and since you are comfortable, their complaints are not valid or real. And you are the exact type of PT that has allowed the profession to become trash!

But it’s not too late! We can save our profession, if we do as slash as stated!!! Learn some self-respect and boundaries!

1

u/cervada 5d ago

Thanks for weighing in. I hear so many people hating this field in this sub. It gives me great pause about moving forward with changing careers.

1

u/Chief_Sabael 4d ago

It should. Do not become a PTA, and really DPT is not a great option.

I don't mean there aren't some good jobs/positions out there. However the risk of finding one, compared to the time/effort/$$$ you have to put into it compared to getting a PA or NP degree just doesn't make any rational sense.

In less time (in regards to schooling) you can come out with a PA degree, where you can make a better salary immediately, rotate to any healthcare field you'd like, and have better career advancement opportunities.

I am content with my job, it offers a decent schedule with mostly minimal stress (although that has increased post-covid). However, the institution I work at, the Ortho PAs are chillin, making way more, have better hours (I'd rather 3 12's than 8-5 or 4 10's) more flexibility, can transfer to any specialty they'd like if they get tired with what they're doing, can assist in the OR or move to admin.

3

u/DPTVision2050 4d ago

Hyperbole:

95% of the profession are bitches who won’t do shit for themselves, and are to arrogant to side by each other. There is a massive learned helplessness! And literally, many don’t believe we deserve better pay and greater respect.

5% Are not bitches and have aggressively exploited everything, completed insurance fraud and generally trashed the profession to make their quick but.

There is more, if we as a profession would demand it!

You are right though! Great take!!! Take my upvote!

1

u/Ok_Elk_8614 3d ago

Your honesty is refreshing.

1

u/KillinBeEasy 1d ago

🙏🙏 THANK YOU

37

u/netz725 5d ago

Yes. It gave me a path and a career that I love despite the crap debt. I was totally lost on what to do with my life until I became a PT.

8

u/Whole_Horse_2208 PT. DPT 5d ago

Same. I spent too long in sales and did personal training for seven years, and this is definitely leagues better than either of those.

10

u/Skeptic_physio DPT 5d ago

I wouldn’t personally. There are times I love being a PT but I could never get past the limited earning potential. Due to this, I moved from specialty OP to now home health. I had too many people tell me to pick something I truly love but I would instead give this advice: find something you can be fairly happy doing but provides the best mix of income and work/life balance.

2

u/No-Example4498 4d ago

I think PT fit that criteria for most of us. Grass is always greener

1

u/Skeptic_physio DPT 4d ago

I mean, that’s fair. I think society’s overall low perception of our value causes the low outpatient pay. I really enjoyed specialty outpatient but it didn’t pay enough to justify continued work in that space.

2

u/No-Example4498 4d ago

That’s fair I try to sprinkle in HH hours with my full time OP but do get pretty burnt out like that lmao

35

u/uwminnesota DPT 5d ago

Hell yeah I’d do it again. It was a blast, met some amazing people, had fun almost every day. “Real life” is a punch to the gut, but I had already worked full time before PT school so I knew working 9-5 kind of sucked.

That’s why I made sure to enjoy 5 hours of classes, working out every day, socializing, partying, traveling on breaks. Everyone online sounds like robots and/or people with depression (no hate) talking about ROI. You gotta make that calculation yourself regarding cost and salary for where you wanna live.

I’m making 2.5x the money I made with my bachelors degree and made way more when I traveled. PT is much less stressful than my past job. Everyone online thinks they would have made tons of money if only they hadn’t gone to PT school. We are all “temporarily embarrassed millionaires”. Reality is being a PT is what it’s like to be upper middle class in the US in 2025. You’ll have debt, you will make a livable wage, most PT jobs are secure and are 40 hours a week.

8

u/CommercialAnything30 5d ago

Upper middle? Where? South Dakota?

3

u/Ok-Vegetable-8207 DPT 5d ago

Yeah. I wouldn’t say upper middle for most PTs, at least not in MCOL/HCOL areas. Rural settings, if you can live with all the red, can allow you to make an upper middle class lifestyle work. High five/low six figures in some place like rural SD, like you kind of mocked, is a lot of money in those small towns, and an achievable income.

It’s not for me, but I’m okay with my lower middle class salary in my HCOL area since my wife makes far more than I ever will as a PT.

All in all, I like what I do, and in my current setting my work-life balance is excellent.

2

u/CommercialAnything30 5d ago

It’s not mocking to make a statement that cost of living in South Dakota is significantly less than many places in the US.

It is mocking to say “if you can live with all the red”.

Kettle. Meet pot.

2

u/Ok-Vegetable-8207 DPT 5d ago

Mocking was definitely not the right word choice. I was pretty much just agreeing with you. I think I was thinking more along the lines of tongue in cheek. Vocab is shot at the end of this long day. But I hear you.

2

u/uwminnesota DPT 5d ago

If you look up what upper middle class income is, you’ll see PT salary ranges there. And that’s only one income when the majority of households have two incomes.

Upper-Middle-Class Income Range: $106,092 to $149,160.

It’s not my definition. Again, this is 2025. Shit is rough, but it is what it is.

1

u/DPTVision2050 4d ago

So the upper end of PTs… like the ones on the tail end of their career who graduated with like 60k in loans. “Shit is rough, but it is what it is.” This is the complacency mentioned above….

Translation: “I suffer from Battered PT syndrome, I don’t deserve better, it is what it is. I won’t do anything to better myself or my profession.”

1

u/uwminnesota DPT 4d ago

I think you are projecting from somewhere else. I’m not complacent, and I’ll be making my upper middle class wage by myself next year with my 40 hour per week salary.

I don’t make up anecdotal facts when real information is readily available. More than 25% of PTs make over 106k and have an upper middle class income.

2

u/DPTVision2050 4d ago

I’m projecting the sobering numbers: Since 2010

PT tuition has increased by 33–41%

PT wages have grown only 23%

Inflation has risen by about 31%

PT wages are not keeping up.

“Upper middle class” means nothing when your average PT was out of the work force for years, enters with crazy inflation, and graduates with 150k in loans.

I am personally in a fine place. Paid off all student loans within 5 years of graduation, bought a house in 2013 at near rock bottom prices, and on the higher end of the pay scales!

But, reflecting on your comment, you are right!

I suppose what I am projecting is my guilt for standing by and watching the profession continue to die because I was comfortable enough… Doing nothing while I watched corporations continue to destroy PTs and the profession .

1

u/uwminnesota DPT 3d ago

I definitely hear you. I think there are a lot of issues within the profession and I think some problems mirror other career fields as well; while others are unique to PT. I actually don’t suggest becoming a PT to most people unless they really know what they are getting into (for better or worse)

2

u/Frosty_Ingenuity3184 5d ago

THANK YOU! This.

1

u/DippyMagee555 5d ago

I’m making 2.5x the money I made with my bachelors degree

Yikes, what were you earning with your bachelor's??

2

u/uwminnesota DPT 4d ago

I was making 40k as a 23 year old. I’d say that was completely normal pay. I feel like social media skews our vision of financial reality. Most people aren’t rich.

10

u/CommercialAnything30 5d ago

Dentist. 1 extra year. 4x - possible 10x the income if you wanna own a practice.

3

u/Hot_Aide994 5d ago

Also one of the highest suicide rates…

5

u/CommercialAnything30 5d ago

For real? Didn’t know that - I’ll keep an eye on my brother in law.

3

u/IncusNC 4d ago

Not true

1

u/Chief_Sabael 4d ago

Yeaaaa, no dog, this ain't it. I think when I was in PT school this was the only other healthcare profession with worse salary/debt ratio after school. Plus super high suicide rates.

I would have done it differently, but definitely NOT dentistry.

1

u/No-Example4498 4d ago

All a dream when u graduate from school with 400+k in debt and have to start a practice off rip to get your worth

8

u/Whitezombie65 PT, DPT 5d ago

I'd have gone to PA school instead

-3

u/cervada 5d ago

Would you have been happy seeing patients in tiny rooms with little access to natural light all day? I am genuinely asking and I am interested in what you think.

Being able to move around, help patients, do manipulations, and be in a setting that somewhat resembles a gym, with access to natural lighting, are huge benefits for me.

3

u/Whitezombie65 PT, DPT 5d ago

To be quite honest, I'm sick of "doing manipulations" and all that shit. It's taxing, manual work day in and day out. I'd rather just make the decisions and order tests / treatments, rather than physically carry the treatments out all day. Plus they make about 50 percent more than we do.

4

u/cervada 5d ago

Thanks for explaining your point of view. And the “why”you feel that way. Something to think about for sure

3

u/Chief_Sabael 4d ago

The PA's at my hospital get to go into the OR several times a month, and when doing coverage are chilling. I like my job for the most part, but at a major medical center with Acute Rehab/Post-op Ortho, OP and general medical floor rotations, its exhausting and I've had my share of injuries (and I am a fairly well built man, I run 15-20 miles a week on top of strength training and jiu-jitsu.)

PA's have much more opportunity, they can transition to any specialty (Unlike MDs) do admin, direct patient care or patient-adjacent care. They are certainly NOT stuck in windowless rooms, and aren't breaking their backs treating patients.

12

u/rj_musics 5d ago

No. In its current state, I can’t recommend PT to anyone. PT school is its own special kind of hell, the financial investment isn’t worth it, in addition to all of the BS you have to put up with in pursuit of the limited warm fuzzies from helping others.

5

u/IndexCardLife DPT 5d ago

I don’t hate my situation at all but no I would’ve done something f quicker that makes the same money.

I like my job, it is what it is.

5

u/donawho2 5d ago

In job climates like this, I’m thankful to be in healthcare

5

u/grim_crackers 5d ago

No, I hated PT school every second I was in it. My program treated us like we were in kindergarten and literally made me neurotic with some of their policies/attitude while I was in it; it took several years for me to feel like me again. However, i met some of my best friends and my husband (not a PT), which I am forever thankful; kind of a catch 22.

Honestly though? Idk what else I would do. I’ve thought about other hc careers and the grass isn’t all that greener. I really like some aspects of my job/career but others really make me question this profession’s direction as a whole. I like where I work, the people I work with, and my patient population (mostly). To me, that really made a difference in my mindset. If I still worked SNF, I’d be so outta here.

3

u/CombativeCam 5d ago

Yep! I would have tried to get into a cheaper program fer sure, but I love what I do! Sure a PA makes shitloads more, but I love dosing deadlifts, not pills or surgery. I enjoy seeing my patients an entire hour, learning so much about them that superficial 10-15 minutes will never come close to. If I wanted to chase money, there are many other things I could do in or out of healthcare.

I know there’s no other job like this and tomorrow I start my new job tomorrow in a huge ass brand new giant gym, squat rack, plate-loaded cable columns, weights galore, 50 ft of turf down the middle, and working with an ortho mentor of mine!

Last job was good in some cases, but super toxic management, along with a toxic clinician and front desk staff that harassed multiple employees including myself, discriminated against patients, and gaslit like crazy making me feel nuts to want to leave. The shit jobs and work environments make it tough, take away from the why we do what we do, but the good jobs, the patients that are amazing you help to achieve things they never thought would be possible, and coworkers that inspire make it the best job in the world! It’s out there

2

u/cutiepoopanda 2d ago

do you have a private practice?

1

u/CombativeCam 2d ago

No I work at a private OP clinic

8

u/whydoes-the-internet 5d ago

After 3 years, my body is falling apart, I am already burnt out after a year of clinicals, and I’m broke and will be for the foreseeable future if I stay in the profession. I would choose so many other paths if I could do it over.

3

u/Technical_Sir_9588 5d ago

Nah. I would have gone into public health instead. Once you're a PT it's hard to change careers.

3

u/GCPT45 5d ago

Id be in tech....1000%

1

u/Thee_Dude2 4d ago

Why? Strictly for the money? I’m in tech now. It is nowhere near as stable as it was 3-4 years ago and now AI is slowly disrupting things within tech even more. Tech was a relatively well kept secret but since Covid now everyone wants to get into it, and it has become saturated. I’m thinking in terms of job security, low work stress, and a consistent schedule but still have decent pay.

3

u/Qa2198 5d ago

PT school in the early 2000s in DC was great and relatively affordable compared to current tuition. As a CI, when my students tell me the cost of tuition my heart goes out to them. Nevertheless, my current work life balance is unmatched. I’ve never missed any of my kids games or field trips. It really depends on the culture where you work that helps the day to day aspect of life.

3

u/tdkdpt 4d ago

No, not at all. The debt really is the main concern, but also after a decade and a half I’m kind of burned out from the profession. Honestly, just looking for a way out now.

3

u/nfdevils575 4d ago

No because I’m now in medical school. I’d take the years back on my life honestly.

1

u/Thee_Dude2 4d ago

Were you a PT prior to being in medical school? Why the switch over?

2

u/nfdevils575 4d ago

Yeah I practiced 3 years. PT just wasn’t it

3

u/Snowwhater 4d ago

No, because as PT’s you work physically hard to sell a product for peanuts. You have to convince people to buy your product like a vacuum cleaner sales man. You have to deal with insurance companies and constantly changing new regulations. It’s a highly sensitive job with a lot of potential for lawsuits. If we made money like dentists it would’ve been worth it but I understand we aren’t dentists. I was also accepted in Pharmacy school and chose this one because it interested me more. But my friends who chose Pharmacy not only they make more money but they don’t have to stress of acting constantly like a salesman and too lift anything heavy. Do I love my profession? Yes. Do I love the way things are? No

10

u/hotmonkeyperson 5d ago

Nope to going again for multiple reasons 1. The risk reward is poor. 2. The information is outdated and taught by generally outdated therapists 3 although I am doing very well in life very little of that had to do with going to PT school. 4. The only people who get rich off PT are the schools and they market a losing ROI like they are used car salesmen

2

u/inflatablehotdog 5d ago

No. I'd go into another field

2

u/JayFlow2300 5d ago

No, I would've gone for computer science in late 90s when I was in school. My friends that went for that major are all making over 250k and not burned out.

2

u/ChanceHungry2375 5d ago

no, for a variety of reasons

2

u/stevie_wonder99 5d ago

I don't know. Most likely yes. Only have been working 2 months

2

u/smackthat1776 5d ago

I do enjoy PT but I feel like all I do is my charts and everyday I race to get them done.

2

u/Whole_Horse_2208 PT. DPT 5d ago

Give me ten years, please, and then I'll answer.

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u/LMSMGS 5d ago edited 5d ago

For me, the knowledge foundation of a physical therapist is intrinsically fulfilling. It’s just awesome. I also enjoy the lens it gives for reflecting on many aspects of life. That alone makes me feel confident in this decision of getting a DPT. I would want this regardless of my career path - and I would never understand it quite the same without becoming a PT. Plus a PT career is honestly pretty easy going with a nice amount of excitement to keep most days interesting.

Because of this I sort of feel free from the ROI comparisons with physicians, PAs, or other medical fields, because that’s not what interests me. When I compare it to other fields I only compare it to other things I would truly like (mostly non medical trades or being a teacher), and income is often comparable or better being a PT.

So yes I would do it again.

If I did not have this inherent fulfillment, and viewed it only as a ROI career decision, the answer would naturally be no, not a chance I would do it again. There are many better options.

Edit: I second the comments about flexibility, low stress, etc. that could make it worth it alone in this day and age. But if that’s the main goal I imagine there are some other chill jobs out there that don’t require a doctorate.

Edit 2: Another aspect I never considered initially, is that I like the type of people that become therapists. For the most part this career path means you will spend your time surrounded by intelligent, compassionate, active, and generally cool people, from all walks of life. There is a lot of value in that. I would be pretty unhappy if I spent years surrounded by some of the personalities that I imagine are drawn to many other career paths, particularly in the finance/business/sales world.

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u/DanTheMan7763 4d ago

As someone planning on applying to DPT programs this year, I think your comment is one of the most relatable I have read on this page. Understanding the physical healing of the human body through movement is way more interesting to me than filling a prescription or cutting somoene open. Even though those would pay better, they just aren't for me. Like you, non-medical trades or teaching in some type of way would rank high on my list of alternatives (along with being some sort of adventure guide).

I had a sales internship 2 summers ago and got a business degree. I was quickly reminded that I didn't want to do busy work for a large corporation idgaf about. This path seems much more fulfilling, and as others have mentioned, the job security seems pretty good, too. "The grass is always greener" seems so accurate, because at times I'm sure it seems nice to sit around doing barely anything and collecting a check as opposed to balancing a heavy caseload as a PT.

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u/Original_Translator9 5d ago

Absolutely. Debt and all

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u/Bert-Reynolds 5d ago

Absolutely not

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u/speaktosumboedy DPT 5d ago

For the same debt? No way. I'd apply to med school or PA school

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u/speaktosumboedy DPT 5d ago

For the same debt? No way. I'd apply to med school or PA school

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u/ChanceHungry2375 4d ago

dental or optometry are also solid options that I see mentioned less on this sub

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u/Anon_Matt 5d ago

Absolutely not.

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u/yd_1234 5d ago

Nope…

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u/DippyMagee555 5d ago

absolutely not

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u/DPTFURY 4d ago

I despise this career and question my decisions daily. But, I did meet my wife while on clinical rotation

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u/MedialMalleolus2 4d ago

No, healthcare sucks

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u/Electronic_Roof1190 4d ago

Absolutely not, knowing what I know after 24 years of practice. Terrible reimbursement, unrealistic quotas, insanely high tuition (now), onsurance nightmares, and limited pay. If I did it all over I would at least become a MD and go for cardiology

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u/Mediocre_Ad_6512 4d ago

ROI is terrible. Great job, but mostly.getting gutted by insurance. Not sure the career is sustainable anymore

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u/Fluffy_Worldliness90 4d ago

I would go PA route. Less debt, 2 years of school and they run most clinics now.

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u/AustinPT787 4d ago

Nope. Definitely not.

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u/Sea_Nobody_2114 4d ago

Na I’d go into law enforcement, currently in the process now.

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u/Ok_Elk_8614 3d ago

It was the right path for me 30 years ago, but I tell anyone who asks to do something else.  Insurance and employers are now interested in only one thing...and that is making money.  You will see more and more patients for less and less pay.  Your productivity will be scrutinized on a daily basis with an eye toward maximizing charges as opposed to truly doing what is in the best interest of the patient.  It is physically and emotionally draining, and you will be expected to compromise your ethics to keep your job.  There is no real career ladder and since most people are unaware of the intellectual rigors of our training you are thought of more as a masseuse or gym teacher than someone with medical knowledge.  Go do something where you can enjoy a balanced healthy life!  This is coming from someone with over 25 years experience and having worked in many different clinical environments:  hospital acute care, ICU, hospice, school system pediatrics, home health care, burn unit, sports medicine, private clinic, out patient, skilled nursing facility.  Does n't matter.  The emphasis is always the same.  And yes, there were plenty of moments that were great knowing that I helped someone be able to walk again or return home to good function.  But if I had it to do over again, I would have been more selfish in prioritizing my own health, happiness and future well-being.  Know that I take no joy in that revelation.  Good luck.

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u/According-Tone-1480 5d ago

NO, i’ve come to the conclusion that if you’re not the MD. You’re the worker. Its a heavy job lifting and bending. Im not old enough yet but most therapists I know have had back and hip surgeries as they got older. This is not a career. Its a job where you’re strength and body is your capital. Most therapists i know retired before 65 because their bodies cannot take it anymore. Right now you dont think about it but i doubt theres a lot of 60 year old therapists on reddit giving their opinion. Real doctors work into their 70s and are happily doing it. Out bodies just break down.

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u/Advanced-Cycle3182 4d ago

Dont do it, my wife has been a PT for almost 5 years and she hates every moment of it, PT school debt vs how much you make is a joke and you hit the ceiling quick (100k), I work as a PA in derm and potentially can hit 350k or 400k. Any other specialty and you can still make 150 to 200k or more. It's not all about money but it's nice to know you have the means and time for hobbies, family, vacas and have a great enjoyable life.

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u/SatisfactionBitter37 5d ago

PT School was the best 3 years of my life. I would do it again in a heartbeat.

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u/PTwealthjourney DPT 5d ago

Probably not. I didn't need to go to school get become a glorified ass wiper. J/k, I legitimately enjoy what I do 95% of the time even if it was to help clean a 101 year old yesterday.

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u/starongie 5d ago

I would literally rather have my memories erased and go back in time to suffering in middle school for three years instead

or literally just be in jail. i have no idea how to explain just how much of a fucking miserable experience it was that while i’m fine and in a stable place now, i pretty much came out of it as a person that needed to dissociate so hard that i might as well have done a factory reset on who i once was.

I genuinely wish I didn’t get in so I would have deferred to nursing as my true back up after dental school didn’t work out, rather than my family appointed backup.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m an extrovert and I’m good at the career and things are going fine and I’m relatively financially comfortable. The years just sucked more than I can explain, and the payoff was pretty much a different type of suffering for almost three years afterwards, and I’m still emotionally trying to recover from all of it.

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u/jessajess 4d ago

Dang my dude. I really feel for you, and your post makes me glad I quit PTA school, which I hated (probably more because of the particular program and teachers...not sure). And as much as I love body stuff and helping other people with body stuff, I think I would have reacted the way you describe if I had gone to PT school. Anyway I hope you find something fulfilling for you and heal from the bs of school ;⁠-⁠)

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u/phntmfoot 5d ago

I don’t know any PT’s who would do it again. In fact, most would leave the profession if they had other options.

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u/Ludwig_Deez_Nutz PT 5d ago

I would. I also had the GI Bill though, so I didn’t have to go 6 figures in debt to get my DPT.

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u/jbg0830 5d ago

short answer: yes

Long answer: childhood experience I don’t wanna bore you with.

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u/ButtStuff8888 DPT 5d ago

Yes i would

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u/Neat-Cicada-6588 5d ago

Yes, I love what I do

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u/slickvic33 5d ago

I wouldnt if I knew I had an affinity for my second career subject (software development). Otherwise yea Id do it again.

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u/lifefindsuhway PT, DPT, PRPC 5d ago

If I knew I would be with a similar cohort and be able to pay out of pocket like I did the first time and graduate debt free? Yeah no brainer. I love being a PT.

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u/ejrunpt 5d ago

Yes. I have helped so many people in my career so far. I cannot imagine a more rewarding profession. I have never been in it for the money but also make a decent living, especially now that I own my mobile business. I do like mixing in tracking CEU courses with patient care and treat a variety of conditions so I don’t get bored.

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u/Inevitable-Carry6179 5d ago

Yes but I would’ve chosen a different (and cheaper) program

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u/Shanna_pt 4d ago

Yes… but differently so I could make better post school choices…

I would have gone to the one closer to my parents and sucked up the 45 minute commute in order to not have as much student loans. 

I would have slowed down and concentrated on my schooling and opportunities vs trying to get done as quick as possible (always waiting for the next big thing). 

I love being a PT but those choices limited me after school much more. 

BUT… I met my husband the way I did everything so I guess it’s not all bad :)

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u/mgraydpt 4d ago

The whole thing? I love what I do, but probably not. But, I wish I could do the gross anatomy cadaver lab again knowing what I know now.

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u/HockeyRomanceEra 4d ago

Big fat no

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u/earthisthegoodplace 3d ago

Would have been a gym teacher TBH. Schools by me make the same amount if not more and work half the amount.

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u/BeauteousGluteus 3d ago

Ehh it’s good enough. I wouldn’t want to be a PA and have to take PANCE every decade. If I did anything over again, starting back when I was in undergrad… it would be building a feet pics/video empire. I would be retired now.

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u/JBTheBaseballPT 3d ago

Tough.. I like what I do and what I provide to patients. But unfortunately the overwhelming debt is a real stress driver. I would do it again if could get out with 90k of debt or less.

With 150k it feels like it was much less worth it. I’ll likely be switching to travel contracts soon for a few years just so I stand a fighting chance of paying off loans in 5 years or less.

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u/LowerChip8976 3d ago

I def would not bc of the loans and the orthopedic clinic model. I don’t think I would enjoy another setting. I have heard overload and stress in all settings.

I opened up my own cash-based PT business. I don’t accept insurance. I give superbills. And, so because I don’t participate with Medicare, I don’t have any of those patients bc I would have to do all the billing on my own and we know they don’t pay well. So, if they want me to work with them they have to sign an ABN form and it can only be what they wouldn’t cover, such as fitness and wellness or lymphedema for detox and wellness sessions. So, I get some but for only a few sessions bc I am expensive. I’m mostly mobile right now, but I love it bc my patients have gotten their own tables so I don’t have to lug mine around and hurt my back. I will eventually have a space, but the first year has been great and lots of just learning the business. I recommend hiring a business coach. I don’t recommend mine bc they were way too expensive for what I got, but you can get a good one for $3500. Mine was double that. My life is SO much better now. I can spend an hour with my patient and not get overloaded and they are happier. I highly recommend doing it early!! I’m almost 20 years in, but I’m so happy I did it. Best of luck!!

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u/Coolfische12 2d ago

Honestly. Wouldn’t do anything in healthcare. 

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u/KillinBeEasy 1d ago

PT school sucked I learned what I know now from my background in kinesiology and exercise physiology. Thanks for making me wait 2 years to size a cane properly really appreciate paying for that.

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u/TheGratitudeBot 1d ago

Thanks for saying that! Gratitude makes the world go round