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What is physical therapy look like as a career path?

What does a normal day in a physical therapy place look like because that is my main choice of a future career and I want to see if it's actually a good fit for me. I'm interested in learning why things are hurting or like why things happen in the human body. I was also wondering what are some positives of the career and what are some negatives? I've never heard any negatives. How do you manage your time between schooling and normal life? I know there are lots of years to be able to have your degree.

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Donna’s Answer

As a physical therapist for 35+ years in several different settings, I found each setting had its own rewards and challenges. PT's can work in hospitals, outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities,home health, school systems, etc. In each setting, it was extremely rewarding to work with patients to achieve their highest level of independence, improve their function or decrease their pain. A typical day had regularly scheduled patients for the PT to see, either for an initial evaluation or ongoing treatment. Some settings have PT Assistants or aids to help with aspects of treatments; others the PT does the entire treatment themselves. As patients improve, you change their treatment goals and set up a new program for them to work on, so the work is ever-changing and can be very challenging when a patient isn't improving or cooperating. Most patient interactions are very enjoyable.
There is always the paperwork/computer charting aspect of the job and that can be exasperating some days, but it is necessary to do that well so someone else can step in to work with your patient if you can't. PT is hard work with some long days but patients and colleagues make it worthwhile.

PT school is difficult and intense. But it is Temporary! Keep this in the forefront of your mind: you are working this hard for your FUTURE patients. They should always remain your main focus. These sacrifices you make now, are for them, later.
Tell yourself, “I need to know this for my future patients, not just for the test tomorrow.”
Good luck!
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