4 answers
Stella
Student
Princeton, New Jersey
1
Question
Updated
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Outpatient vs SNF vs Assisted Living PT in New Jersey — Which is Most Manageable?
Hi everyone,
I’m trying to decide between outpatient, skilled nursing facility (SNF), and assisted living physical therapy roles in New Jersey. I’m looking for a low-stress, manageable job with a predictable schedule, moderate patient load, and minimal mental and physical strain.
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4 answers
arpita kundal
Physical therapist
3
Answers
Sterling Heights, Michigan
Updated
arpita’s Answer
I found working in skilled nursing to be very stressful. It’s a pain dealing with nurses who constantly want you to do their job especially helping with patient hygiene etc. Assisted living is low key with set hours so definitely the least stressful. Personally I chose outpatient because I love orthopedics and wanted to be in a thriving upbeat highly clinical oriented environment. The hours you put in doing extra work especially paperwork and making insurance calls and writing long reports can take a toll and lead to burnout .
Courtney Hundley
RN
11
Answers
Elkin, North Carolina
Updated
Courtney’s Answer
Hi there,
For those with advanced health needs, skilled care is essential. However, assisted living residents are often more active and can engage in a variety of exciting activities. You can explore options like swimming, dancing, or yoga as part of their physical therapy. While skilled patients might focus on walking and gentle movements, the key is finding joy and fulfillment in your work, as that truly matters the most.
For those with advanced health needs, skilled care is essential. However, assisted living residents are often more active and can engage in a variety of exciting activities. You can explore options like swimming, dancing, or yoga as part of their physical therapy. While skilled patients might focus on walking and gentle movements, the key is finding joy and fulfillment in your work, as that truly matters the most.
James Constantine Frangos
SOFTWARE ENGINEER SINCE 1972; NUTRITIONIST SINCE 1976.
7094
Answers
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Good Day Stella!
Skilled Nursing would be really interesting! Working with Nurse Practitioners! The assisted living physical therapy role in New Jersey is quite a low-stress, routine position, even more so than the skilled nursing facility. See, you are away from Emergency Care or Surgical Procedures.
I live in assisted living with about 60 people with varying degrees of disability. I work very hard helping people and volunteering for Career Village. We pay $595 in Australian dollars per week. I use a wheely-walker post CVA, but it is no problem. I have trained medical staff such as dentists, doctors and nurses.
We have no nurses, just visiting carers employed under companies like 'Right At Home' utilizing the National Disability Insurance Fund, a $50,000,000,000 rort. I work 100+ hours a week and get no wage, only receive pension! Been here since April 2023.
Shall keep you updated!
JC
Skilled Nursing would be really interesting! Working with Nurse Practitioners! The assisted living physical therapy role in New Jersey is quite a low-stress, routine position, even more so than the skilled nursing facility. See, you are away from Emergency Care or Surgical Procedures.
I live in assisted living with about 60 people with varying degrees of disability. I work very hard helping people and volunteering for Career Village. We pay $595 in Australian dollars per week. I use a wheely-walker post CVA, but it is no problem. I have trained medical staff such as dentists, doctors and nurses.
We have no nurses, just visiting carers employed under companies like 'Right At Home' utilizing the National Disability Insurance Fund, a $50,000,000,000 rort. I work 100+ hours a week and get no wage, only receive pension! Been here since April 2023.
Shall keep you updated!
JC
Cheri Hall
Physical Therapist
103
Answers
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Updated
Cheri’s Answer
Hi Stella,
Choosing the right Physical Therapy setting for you depends on your interests. Each setting—outpatient, skilled nursing facility, and assisted living—is unique. Physical Therapy involves active and demanding work, so expect some physical effort in all settings.
In an outpatient setting, you can work with people of all ages, from children to seniors, and handle various conditions. You might also choose to focus on areas like orthopedics or sports injuries. Skilled nursing facilities care for patients who need therapy after an accident or injury and can't go home right away. Here, you might help patients learn to walk again. Although this can be physically demanding, you often see fewer patients daily than in an outpatient clinic, so it might not be as tiring. In assisted living, PT services are similar to those in skilled nursing, but patients are generally living in the assisted living community.
As a PT student, you'll have clinical rotations where you work in different settings under a licensed therapist's supervision. Most schools require you to try various environments to discover what suits you best. If you enjoy working with a certain group of patients, you'll likely find the job more rewarding and less stressful.
Choosing the right Physical Therapy setting for you depends on your interests. Each setting—outpatient, skilled nursing facility, and assisted living—is unique. Physical Therapy involves active and demanding work, so expect some physical effort in all settings.
In an outpatient setting, you can work with people of all ages, from children to seniors, and handle various conditions. You might also choose to focus on areas like orthopedics or sports injuries. Skilled nursing facilities care for patients who need therapy after an accident or injury and can't go home right away. Here, you might help patients learn to walk again. Although this can be physically demanding, you often see fewer patients daily than in an outpatient clinic, so it might not be as tiring. In assisted living, PT services are similar to those in skilled nursing, but patients are generally living in the assisted living community.
As a PT student, you'll have clinical rotations where you work in different settings under a licensed therapist's supervision. Most schools require you to try various environments to discover what suits you best. If you enjoy working with a certain group of patients, you'll likely find the job more rewarding and less stressful.