In the past few years, physical therapy has become one of the sought-after fields: students are increasingly enrolling in physical therapy educational programs to pursue healthcare. In 2001, there were about 126,450 registered physical therapists in the US, and this number nearly doubled till 2016 and has only increased ever since.
If you’re considering a career path in healthcare, earning a degree in physical therapy presents a gateway to a rewarding journey filled with diverse opportunities and meaningful impact. In this article, we explore why physical therapy is a popular healthcare career.
1. Hands-on Experience and Diverse Work Settings
Physical therapy training involves using several pain and injury management techniques, equipment, manual therapy, exercise therapy, and assistive devices hands-on. As it isn’t merely theoretical, you’ll be fully capable of treating patients as soon as you leave school.
Your work settings are also likely to be very diverse since patients needing physical therapy can range from athletes and older people to individuals with disabilities. Unlike other medical fields, you don’t necessarily have to work in a hospital. Whether you prefer working with athletes in sports facilities, aiding patients in their homes, or assisting individuals in nursing homes, there is a niche for every aspiring physical therapist.
2. Job Prospects, Satisfaction. and Work-Life Balance
Among all the benefits of being a physical therapist, work-life balance, career security, and job satisfaction may be the most prominent ones. Since it’s still a growing field, physical therapy offers job security to its practitioners. With the global life expectancy increasing, the number of elderly individuals needing physical therapy is also growing. That means the demand for physical therapists is also going up. Owing to this high demand, it’s likely that you can enjoy a stable and secure job right after graduation.
Many physical therapy positions also offer flexible scheduling options, enabling therapists to achieve a healthy work-life balance. This flexibility is invaluable if you have significant personal or family commitments, allowing you to pursue your career aspirations while maintaining a fulfilling personal life.
Physical therapists play a crucial role in facilitating the recovery and rehabilitation of individuals with injuries, disabilities, or chronic conditions. Whether it’s guiding someone through rehabilitation after a knee replacement or devising strategies to manage chronic pain, you will have the privilege of witnessing the transformative power of your interventions firsthand. They consistently report high levels of job satisfaction, stemming from the meaningful nature of their work and their instant positive impact on patients’ lives.
Witnessing the progress and improvement in patients’ mobility, functionality, and quality of life is deeply rewarding and fulfilling. Job satisfaction aside, pursuing a physical therapy degree can also be rewarding financially. You will also enjoy an above-average salary with the potential for further increases based on experience, specialization, and additional certifications.
3. Growth Opportunities
The field offers avenues for career advancement, including roles as clinical specialists, managers, educators, researchers, and consultants, providing ample opportunities for growth and development. With a focus on physical rehabilitation, injury prevention, and overall health and fitness, you can work domestically and internationally. As a result, the possibilities for career expansion remain endless.
As the physical therapy field is growing, there are advancements in research, technology, and treatment techniques every day. The dynamic nature of physical therapy also means ongoing learning and skill development to stay on top of advancements in research, technology, and treatment techniques.
Several online and in-person certifications are available for you to broaden your skill set and learn as the industry innovates while you’re on the job. This keeps you in touch with the learning process if you’ve completed your degree and allows you to diversify your practices as you advance your career.
4. Flexibility
While most physical therapists have to choose their specialties early on, you won’t have to do so with a physical therapy degree. You can specialize in a specific field area much later in your career. The specialties can range from orthopedics, pediatrics, geriatrics, oncology to women’s health, where each specialty presents unique patient populations, conditions, and treatment approaches.
This flexibility allows you to tailor your practice to areas that resonate most with your interests and passions. For example, a physical therapist may begin their career in orthopedic rehabilitation, then transition to pediatric therapy to focus on working with children with developmental disabilities, and later pivot to oncology rehabilitation to support individuals undergoing cancer treatment.
You can also choose to switch between specialties during your practice or decide not to specialize and cater to a diverse range of patients instead. As you advance in your career, you can make more informed decisions about the specialty that suits you based on your experiences, preferences, and professional development.
Endnote
Pursuing a degree in physical therapy offers many benefits, including the opportunity to make a tangible difference in the lives of others, job stability, competitive salaries, versatile career paths, opportunities for advancement, continual learning, and a positive work-life balance. Through it, you can cater to your passion for helping others and fulfill your desire for a satisfying healthcare career that adequately balances work and your personal life.
