Essay on Why I Want to Study Physical Therapy

As a physical therapist, one is able to make a difference in the lives of the patients he or she encounters. Whether they have a minor injury, such as a broken

Physical therapists also can consult and practice with other professionals, such as physicians, dentists, nurses, educators, social workers, occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, and audiologists to help them with their treatment to a patient. Conducting research or teaching is another job option for physical therapists.

Everyone feels good about themselves when they help someone accomplish something. I feel overwhelmed with joy when I help people. Becoming a physical therapist assistant (pta) will allow me to feel that kind of happiness. Whereas I want to become a physical therapist assistant so I can help people, a physical therapist assistant is the perfect career for me given that physical therapy will always be needed. This career will allow me to interact with patients and learn about them. I will help patients regain their movement and manage pain whether it was from surgery or a type of illness. The schooling will be tough, but the end will be worth it.

With the job outlook of the physical therapy field being expected to grow by 34 percent by 2024, faster than the average occupation, the average annual wage at a whopping $84,020, paid sick and vacation days and the flexible work environment, this seems like the perfect profession to enter. Having a career in physical therapy can be very rewarding because a physical therapist gets to watch as his or her patients improve every appointment through treatment. Unfortunately, this is not always the case in this profession. There are many disadvantages, and knowing these will help anyone interested in this field have a better understanding of how tough pursuing a career in this field can be. Being a physical therapist can be a rewarding experience and have amazing benefits. However, it is important to be aware of the disadvantages: the extreme amount of education, physical demands, emotional demands and the continuation of education requirements.

As I have almost completed my sophomore year of college, I know what my career goals are at this point. I am currently on the physical therapy track planning to declare the major of exercise science: applied kinesiology. I became interested in PT after hearing many appealing things about it such as: the rapid growth and demand of physical therapists, the purpose it serves, and financial stability that comes along with the rewarding work. I am eager to learn about the functions, progress, and healing of the human body in the most natural manner, and through exercise science my knowledge in this study will certainly grow.

In fact, as suspected over the next 10 year span (2008-2018) the demand and popularity will continue to grow by at least 35%. In the past there have been more jobs than graduates (“PTA Career”). According to Dawn Parker, a Physical Therapist Assistant and one of the MCC PTA professors, this is partially because insurance companies are finding it cheaper to rehabilitate patients as opposed to paying for surgery (“Dawn Parker”). There are already over 65,000 licensed and practicing Physical Therapist Assistants in the United States. The median income for the Physical Therapist Assistant depends on many different factors which include but are not limited to: educational background (certifications, trainings, other degrees), geographic location and the setting (clinic, hospital, extended care facility, etc.) (“PTA Career Overview”). The average income of a Physical Therapist Assistant in a clinical or hospital setting in eastern North Carolina is around $18.00 an hour. Nursing homes do tend offer more incentive being there is a much greater need of Physical Therapist Assistants. According to research Physical Therapist and Physical Therapist Assistants are among some of the happiest professionals

The outlook for a Physical Therapist would be that it is going to to increase but by very little. The average increase is 2.00% each year. So if there is a 2.00% increase each year there is a 2.00% chance that someone will get a career as a Physical Therapist. People need to think of the location when finding a career. Which is the geographic location of where a person would like to live to be able to commute back and forth from work. Working as a physical therapist means working with all kinds of people so various amounts of people might not be every ones type.Working as a Physical Therapist gives the option of working in an office with patients, working at a high school with injured athletes or working with major sports team. Last is how far someone wants to travel. What that means is if someone is living in a small town like Knox Pennsylvania and they want to work with the Pittsburgh Steelers that would mean traveling 2 hours to work everyday. Not everybody wants to travel that far so keep that in

In the future, I see myself as being a physical therapist assistant. I am interested in this career choice because I enjoy fitness and helping others improve their life. Being able to see a person making progress and being a part of that process is an amazing feeling. I want to be able to use being a PTA as a platform to touch someone’s life in a positive way. Working as a PTA, I would need to be able to work with physical therapist to help people with lack of mobility.

Also, a PTOT has the assurance of guaranteed job security and great salaries. For instance, PTOT’s have more job security more so than other jobs in today’s society, because of a major contributing factor; people are living longer. Apta claims, “the soaring demand for physical therapists can be attributed to the aging American population, particularly baby boomers which are more vulnerable to chronic and debilitating conditions that require physical therapist services” (“Apta”). The job of a PTOT is very secure. In addition, salaries for PTOT’s are very impressive, according to the US Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics, “a PTOT’s salary compared to related occupations . . . physical therapists receives leading pay at all levels. The average starting salary of a PT is $57,220 at the beginning of their careers, and progresses to $105,900” depending on their worksite” (“Labor Bureau”). PTOT’s are compensated very well for their hard work.

Becoming a physical therapist assistant isn’t easy, because there are certain steps that have to be taken, certain skills/responsibilities that they have, and a crazy day experience that they go through. To become a physical therapist assistant there are certain steps a person must go through including, a certain amount of education, certification, and they have requirements. Education is very important in any career a person chooses, but according to O*net online the only education needed is an associate’s degree to become a PTA (n.p). A certificate or license is also needed to become a PTA. According to the website,

Physical Therapy is a very important profession. There are many people that are treated and cared for by the physical therapist and the physical therapist assistant each and every day. They have helped many patients improve their overall way of life and this profession has provided jobs to thousands of people. Physical therapy has made a big impact on the world and has changed the way patients can be treated.

Physical Therapist’s earnings are good and very high. On average Physical Therapist has a salary of $82,180 in 2013 they are well paid. (“Physical Therapist: Salary.”) Also, Physical Therapist that live in the Metropolitan areas of Laredo, Texas: Los Vegas: and Brownsville, Texas are paid a magnitude of money. (“Physical Therapist: Salary.”) Finally, ‘”Being a Physical Therapist is very rewarding. They work with Patients one-on-one, see them progress through treatment, and know that they are really making a difference in their lives,” said APTA spokesperson Merideth Harris, PT, DPT, EdD,’ (“Benefits of a Physical Therapist Career.”) A Physical Therapist is paid very well, and has high

This career is correct to me because it puts emphasis on many of my skills. Physical Therapist career is something that I love and because it is a very rewarding endeavor where you try directly with patients. The most emotional and say the best reward that we have, in addition to the monetary stance that although is not much nor is it very little, is that we link a lot with the patient. Little by little we note their progress, as is excited to see its improvement, starting from scratch since this depressed and sad not to be able to move until we see his smile and his joy to see the progress. I produce a great satisfaction to get the relief of a physical discomfort (and sometimes psychological) to someone using the hands.

Working in the physical therapy industry some are required to have much greater degrees than others. In some instances you may be in need of a Doctrine and others just an associate's. The serious groups that work with these experienced therapist are american physical therapy association,(ptcas),federation of state boards of physyical therapy and many more associated with this career. 9.Physical therapy may sound great but it comes with its disadvantages like you'll become physically drained of energy the work is physically,mentally and emotionally exhausting. 4.To get a job anywhere no a days ur gunna have to have specific qualification. 10.Computer literacy is an advantage both getting through school and staying up to date after entering the workforce.several science courses are needed and will need a great deal of scientific

I am interested in this career field because I find how the body and its muscles and bones work very interesting. I have experienced many injuries myself and have gone through many hours of physical therapy, and i always found it very interesting to think about and see how the exercises and stretches that they would make me do were actually healing my body. As an athlete I hate injuries and having to sit out for my sport, so that is why I would want to be a physical therapist so I could help kids that were just like me heal quicker and get back to playing the game they love. Also I am very interested in the human body and learning about how