Did you know that there are more than 260,000 people employed as physical therapists in the United States of America? Becoming a physical therapist is a great way to make a living while staying active and making a positive difference in peoples’ lives. You’ll gain many benefits from becoming a physical therapist and getting a physical therapist education.
Before you invest the time and money to get physical therapy training, it is important that you’re aware of the pros and cons of becoming a physical therapist. The good news is that you’ve come to the perfect spot to learn all about physical therapist testing and the many great things you’ll get from becoming a physical therapist.
Keep reading this article to learn more today.
Benefits of Becoming a Physical Therapist
There are a ton of benefits that come with studying and becoming a physical therapist. Many people think about the obvious benefits like getting to stay active and helping people recover their strength and mobility. There are many more benefits that you’ll gain in addition to those great benefits.
Here is a closer look at the benefits of becoming a physical therapist.
High Pay
A big benefit of becoming a physical therapist is that you’ll get paid well for your knowledge and efforts to improve the lives of your patients. The average physical therapist makes almost $90,000 each year. There are factors that come into play when it comes to your pay as a physical therapist, like the cost of living in your area and the amount of education you’ve received.
The more certifications and degrees that you have regarding physical therapy, the more in-demand your service and skills will be. This means that you’ll be more valuable and get paid more money.
Flexible Schedule
Physical therapists also get a great balance between work and their lives. The majority of physical therapists work in an independent capacity rather than working for a corporation or large business. This means that they create their own schedule and work when they want to.
If you’re someone that has a fear of your life revolving around your work then you’ll definitely want to consider becoming a physical therapist. You’ll never miss out on the important things in the lives of your family members. This is a much better alternative when compared to a job in Corporate America.
Different Work Environments
There are also a number of different work environments that you can choose from based on your preferences. Some people prefer to work in hospitals and help patients there while other physical therapists like working at gyms or in nursing homes. It all comes down to your personal preferences and the types of people that you wish to help.
Medical Knowledge
If you end up getting your degree in physical therapy then you’ll gain a ton of medical information that will prove useful throughout your life. You’ll have a thorough understanding of how the human body works and how to treat a number of things when it comes to issues with bones, muscles, and joints. You will also attend medical certificate programs that will teach you how to save a patient’s life and react in any sort of life-threatening emergency.
You’ll also gain a chance to use your creativity and your knowledge to help with complex issues within the human body. This makes a huge difference in the lives of your patients and is a big part of why physical therapists are so appreciated and respected.
Job Satisfaction
A big reason why so many people are interested in becoming a physical therapist is that there is a great deal of job satisfaction that you’ll gain each day. You’ll get to develop close bonds with the people that you’re helping and you’ll go home each day knowing that you made a difference.
This is especially true if you’re someone that loves meeting people and doing your best to help them. In addition, all of the progress that your patients make is tangible so you’ll get to see them improve and get back to their best selves right before your eyes. This is a fulfilling career that you’ll love if you enjoy helping people.
Cons of Becoming a Physical Therapist
Being a physical therapist is a great career choice, but there are some drawbacks that you should be aware of. It isn’t the easiest road to take if you’re looking at different career paths. Here is a closer look at some of the cons that come with becoming a physical therapist.
Major Educational Requirements
There is a ton of schooling and physical therapy training that you’ll need to go through when you choose to become a physical therapist. This means many years of school and the possibility of racking up significant student loan debts. You should expect to be in school for seven years to get your bachelor’s and doctorates when it comes to physical therapy.
You’ll also need to take courses on human anatomy, biology, physics, physiology, and chemistry. If you’re not a student that is strong in those areas then you might have some difficulties with becoming a physical therapist. You’ll also need to remember that most professions only require a four-year degree whereas physical therapy requires seven years of university.
You’ll be facing tons of exams and training that are difficult to pass. If you’re in PT school then you’ll want to make sure that you use a PTA exam prep course to get ready for the real thing.
Demanding Work
You’ll also want to keep in mind that becoming a physical therapist takes a toll on both your body and your mind. You’ll likely be worn out at the end of the day when you’ve been helping patients. You’ll have to act as a model for your patients to show them how to do exercises and stretches.
You’ll also find that you’re on your feet most of the day and that you’ll have to constantly think of things your patients can do to improve their health.
Take Steps to Start Becoming a Physical Therapist
Becoming a physical therapist is a long road that involves many years of school and training. This journey is worth it to gain the benefits of becoming a physical therapist, like flexible work hours and the chance to help people improve their lives. You’ll also get paid well for your knowledge and skills.
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