Congrats on finishing your first year! I'm a third year dpt student at Brenau in north Georgia. I'm Starting my 2nd clinical rotation in macon in a week. Little nervous. Keep grinding, it gets easier!
As a newly PTA grad who was fortunate enough to have well-rounded clinical experiences, I would suggest a student shadow a PT and a PTA at various clinical settings because the jobs vary immensely. At my inpatient rotation, the PTs were mostly typing all day and the PTAs were treating. This clinic had more PTAs than PTs. In outpatient, depending on the setting, PTs were able to be more involved in some treatments. In acute care, my rotation included a PTA and a PT as my CIs and the PTs’ job was immensely boring IMO. They repeated the same phrases day in and day out and just asked a bunch of questions. They rarely performed any treatments. I did work in a level 1 trauma unit so we were always busy. It may be different in other acute care settings. I only worked ortho, neuro, and trauma. I’m sure the cardiac floor was much different but still a lot of repetition. If that doesn’t bore you to death like it did me, then that might be good. Each person has different interests and all are needed. It’s often that one will go into school thinking they will work in a specific setting until they go on clinicals and learn more detail of certain pathologies and their treatments. I thought I wanted to work outpatient but I fell in love with neuro. The best thing is to know your learning style and interests and then pay attention to what interests you in school. I can’t emphasize shadowing/observation in multiple settings before applying to PT or PTA school. Plus, the bridge program is there for those who decide to expand their degree. I think the only reason I would pursue the bridge program is if I ever wanted to own my own clinic. Otherwise, I love the direct patient care I can give as a PTA and the leadership and guidance I can get from a great PT.
Just finished my first semester of PT school and was offered a leadership position on Widener's Pro-Bono clinic network. You're an amazing inspiration with your videos!
I'm 23. Joining the Marines next year, after four years I'm going to persue the Physical therapist route. Marine corps will pay for alot of my schooling.
11yrs in the corps right now and My advise is take advantage of Tuition Assistance as soon as you can to get a jump on things that way you can have your degree before you exit
I'm confused on which route to take. I have a BS in Biology but a low GPA. I thought about trying to get into the DPT program and had several virtual meetings with schools. I then thought that going to the PTA program would be shorter and I'll be working in the field sooner than going to DPT. I work in the emergency department (17yrs) and I"m tired of the flow. I managed to get 20 hours of shadowing a PT in the hospital that I work at (that's the limit which they offer). I'm gonna try to shadow at an outpatient location and then a nursing rehab. I'm trying to get into a different field because my heart is no longer in the ER. I started to work on the PTCAS but need to take the GRE and pay for the applications. I hope to get into a program this year.
@@rachelharmon3604 I was a paramedic tech in the ER. I don't know if I have the heart to keep going. I'm considering going to get a master's in education and teach biology. Is it my desire? No. but it's something where I can utilize my Biology degree. I've gone so far, gone into financial holes, and sacrificed a lot. I'm not young so I can't go back to school to make up classes to bump my GPA. It is what it is and that's it. If I spend a year or two trying to bump my GPA I rather spend those years moving forward with a MS in something.
Great video. Hi if anyone would like the perspective of A PTA who is also in education as a program director! Please reach, the comparison between the 2 professions is something I get frequently asked day to day.
Hey Kristen, I am currently finishing up my Associate of Arts Degree and was planning on going into the PTA program at the community college I am attending. Would it be better for me to get my bachelor's first, then go into the PTA program or should I just go straight into the PTA program? Also Is getting a Bachelor's in Psychology or a bachelor of science in allied health a good choice for PT/PTA?
I would say this depends your end goal! If you eventually want to become a PT after working as a PTA for awhile, I would say go ahead and do the bachelors. You need a bachelors to apply to a DPT program. If you want to be a PTA for the long term, then associates is all you need. As for the degree, I think Allied Health would best prepare you but either is fine! Hope this is helpful and best of luck :)
I have been getting left knee pain then the PTA I have been working with evaluated my knee and diagnosed it as patellar tendinitis then gave some exercises to do but left me alone the whole time. I was wondering if a PTA is even qualified to do this evaluation on his own ?
@@toakonouzoko9449 how many hours do you work a week? i am worried about becoming a PTA and not being able to support myself financially. OR overworking myself just to get by. I would appreciate your take on this matter :)
thanks for watching :) leave any questions you have down below!
I loved this and your editing is sooo beautiful you are amazing productive
thank you!
@@kristennicolosi of course sending you hugs 🤗
OoOo that's cool that there are ways for PTAs to advance and actually grow!!!
i agree!
Congrats on finishing your first year! I'm a third year dpt student at Brenau in north Georgia. I'm Starting my 2nd clinical rotation in macon in a week. Little nervous. Keep grinding, it gets easier!
thank you so much! best of luck to you too💗
How do you like brenau and what made you choose brenau?
As a newly PTA grad who was fortunate enough to have well-rounded clinical experiences, I would suggest a student shadow a PT and a PTA at various clinical settings because the jobs vary immensely. At my inpatient rotation, the PTs were mostly typing all day and the PTAs were treating. This clinic had more PTAs than PTs. In outpatient, depending on the setting, PTs were able to be more involved in some treatments. In acute care, my rotation included a PTA and a PT as my CIs and the PTs’ job was immensely boring IMO. They repeated the same phrases day in and day out and just asked a bunch of questions. They rarely performed any treatments. I did work in a level 1 trauma unit so we were always busy. It may be different in other acute care settings. I only worked ortho, neuro, and trauma. I’m sure the cardiac floor was much different but still a lot of repetition. If that doesn’t bore you to death like it did me, then that might be good. Each person has different interests and all are needed. It’s often that one will go into school thinking they will work in a specific setting until they go on clinicals and learn more detail of certain pathologies and their treatments. I thought I wanted to work outpatient but I fell in love with neuro. The best thing is to know your learning style and interests and then pay attention to what interests you in school. I can’t emphasize shadowing/observation in multiple settings before applying to PT or PTA school. Plus, the bridge program is there for those who decide to expand their degree. I think the only reason I would pursue the bridge program is if I ever wanted to own my own clinic. Otherwise, I love the direct patient care I can give as a PTA and the leadership and guidance I can get from a great PT.
thanks so much for sharing!
I fall love with your voice 🖤
Your video is very Imformative 🌿
awww thank you!
@@kristennicolosi 😊🖤
Just finished my first semester of PT school and was offered a leadership position on Widener's Pro-Bono clinic network. You're an amazing inspiration with your videos!
omg thank you so much this means so much to me!! congratulations thats awesome!
Start school soon! Should we apply for leadership position?
I'm 23. Joining the Marines next year, after four years I'm going to persue the Physical therapist route. Marine corps will pay for alot of my schooling.
you're amazing! best of luck to you and thanks for watching!
@@kristennicolosi I appreciate the kind words, be safe ✌
11yrs in the corps right now and My advise is take advantage of Tuition Assistance as soon as you can to get a jump on things that way you can have your degree before you exit
Why same amount of school?
Pts tend to do more paperwork and have less patient treatment time compared to ptas though right
not true at all! it may just vary clinic to clinic how they set it up, but PTs treat patients every hour all day long
well i am going for my Doctorate of physical therapy i am going to university of georgia thank you for your help.
that is so exciting you will love UGA! soak up every minute
I'm confused on which route to take. I have a BS in Biology but a low GPA. I thought about trying to get into the DPT program and had several virtual meetings with schools. I then thought that going to the PTA program would be shorter and I'll be working in the field sooner than going to DPT. I work in the emergency department (17yrs) and I"m tired of the flow. I managed to get 20 hours of shadowing a PT in the hospital that I work at (that's the limit which they offer). I'm gonna try to shadow at an outpatient location and then a nursing rehab.
I'm trying to get into a different field because my heart is no longer in the ER. I started to work on the PTCAS but need to take the GRE and pay for the applications. I hope to get into a program this year.
best of luck to you!!!
What did you do in the er?
@@rachelharmon3604 I was a paramedic tech in the ER. I don't know if I have the heart to keep going. I'm considering going to get a master's in education and teach biology. Is it my desire? No. but it's something where I can utilize my Biology degree. I've gone so far, gone into financial holes, and sacrificed a lot. I'm not young so I can't go back to school to make up classes to bump my GPA. It is what it is and that's it. If I spend a year or two trying to bump my GPA I rather spend those years moving forward with a MS in something.
Hello! Can you become a PTA with a bachelors degree? Or do you need to attend the program
its an associates degree typically through a community college!
Great video. Hi if anyone would like the perspective of A PTA who is also in education as a program director! Please reach, the comparison between the 2 professions is something I get frequently asked day to day.
thank you for watching im glad you enjoyed!
I can spot that pre-req class requirement list from a mile away! Starting the PTA program next fall! Go eagles!
that is awesome! best of luck to you :) you are going to be awesome!
Hey Kristen, I am currently finishing up my Associate of Arts Degree and was planning on going into the PTA program at the community college I am attending. Would it be better for me to get my bachelor's first, then go into the PTA program or should I just go straight into the PTA program? Also Is getting a Bachelor's in Psychology or a bachelor of science in allied health a good choice for PT/PTA?
I would say this depends your end goal! If you eventually want to become a PT after working as a PTA for awhile, I would say go ahead and do the bachelors. You need a bachelors to apply to a DPT program. If you want to be a PTA for the long term, then associates is all you need. As for the degree, I think Allied Health would best prepare you but either is fine! Hope this is helpful and best of luck :)
What are some good PTA Programs in the ATL area. going to moving to Covington GA end of this year
I’ve heard great things about chattahoochee tech☺️
Hello,can you suggest any skilled nursing facility or assisted living facility that allow shadowing in ATL area
maybe try reaching out to Encompass :)
@@kristennicolosithanks a ton
I have been getting left knee pain then the PTA I have been working with evaluated my knee and diagnosed it as patellar tendinitis then gave some exercises to do but left me alone the whole time.
I was wondering if a PTA is even qualified to do this evaluation on his own ?
legally pta’s can’t do a formal initial evaluation
Hi is that $52k & $90k before or after taxes?
before!
Hi PTA here, with experience and a part time job on the side depending on the state you can make over 100k as a PTA. Depending on your hustle 😅
@@toakonouzoko9449hey! do you enjoy being a pta? or would you go back for your dpt? i’m conflicted!
@@toakonouzoko9449 how many hours do you work a week? i am worried about becoming a PTA and not being able to support myself financially. OR overworking myself just to get by. I would appreciate your take on this matter :)