Nurses/PTs?Parents: HS Anatomy or Physics

[PrincessCLM]

Recent grad PT here.
My senior year of HS I took both Physics and Anatomy. Anatomy was only a 1/2 year elective course though, so I was able to take both.
My curriculum in college involved 2 semesters of physics, 2 semesters of general anatomy and physiology, and 1 class of indepth gross anatomy with cadavers and 1 class of indepth physiology.
All of the PT schools I looked at had physics as a requirement. Surprisingly there is a lot of phsyics in PT.
My physics teacher in HS was actually harder than my college professor so I had a great background. And having anatomy was nice because I had some exposure to it, while many of my classmates didn't.
If you want to go into nursing or PT, get used to the two science classes now.

On a side note, if looking into PT seriously weigh the options of a 5 year Masters and 7 year Doctorate program. The profession is pushing for doctorates but as far as I know they are not required yet. I did a 5 year Masters and got an excellent job without any problems.

 

[mamajoan]

Physical Therapy is a great field. Has your daughter done ANY volunteer work at a clinic or nursing facility? Alot of schools ask this question and many require it. It will help her to clarify her career choice.

Physical Therapy has many options of practice. You are not limited to a hospital. In patient, out patient, peds, ortho, neuro, pain management, home health, geriatrics, sports med, rehab are just a few choices.

Physical Therapist Assistant- PTA- requires a 2yr degree from an accreditted program and in most states..license.
Registered/Licensed Physical Therapist- RPT/LPT- Now requires a Masters degree and License

Most PT staff work a sched of M-F with occaisional wkds.. not too many work past 5pm.... a few out patient clinics are open as late as 8pm.

Early in my career I did ortho traction set ups and surgical PT and was on call per diem. Most hospitals have traction/ortho techs who do this these days.

The absolute best therapists I ever worked with were people who were not concerned with schedules and salaries, but those who truly cared about their patients.
btw.. LOTS and LOTS of jobs for PTA's and PT's... with great starting salaries.


AS for the Anatomy vs Physics..... take both, but if a choice has to be made I vote for Anatomy first. PT requires both because of the use of electrical modalities and the use of physics in practice.

 

[DisneyCowgirl]

Better check what the college is going to require. I know that a few years ago LSU implemented the requirement that if you had not taken Physics in high school, you had to take it as one your science requirements in college. And college physics is HARD!!!!