Changing Careers: Is the added debt worth it?

[2234leej]

Hey everyone,

 

I wanted to seek some advice regarding switching careers from PT to PA. I currently have my DPT and I am in a residency program at U of C for orthopedics. While I love the PT profession, there are certain aspects that I like about orthopedic PA (and PA in general): more diagnostic imaging, pharmacology/medications, potential to participate in surgeries, etc.

 

I am torn because I want to apply to PA school but I do not know if the added debt is worth it. The median salaries are relatively similar (83,000 vs. 76,000 according to BLS statistics), but I know that varies depending on what state you live in, years of experience, whether you own a clinic,etc. I've looked at three programs in Illinois and they range from 60k - 90k. I have a wife but I do not have any kids at the moment. 

 

I have a couple questions that I would love to hear from you (if something does not apply feel free to answer the ones that do):

 

1. Did you have another career before you switched to PA? And if so, did it take a lot of time to pay off the debt that you collected? Are you still trying to pay it back? 

 

2. When/if you considered going back to school, was the financial aspect always the determining factor for you? I am honestly not doing it for the money and that might be my problem. It does not necessarily "advance" my PT career which leads me to my next question...

 

3. With a DPT, PA-C, would I have a good chance at teaching at a PA institution as it relates to orthopedics? I would not mind teaching in the future and this is something I've considered down the road. Just wondering if any of you are working at a PA institution and what it takes to be in that type of setting. 

 

 

I've been thinking about this a long time because my wife and I would like to have kids in the next 2-4 years. I could finish PA school before then but I'm not sure if I'm screwing myself over in the long run with the added debt. Any advice or things you've learned would be fantastic. Thanks again.

 

JL

 

 

 

[UGoLong]

You sound like you are on the cusp; it can be a tough place to be until you make the decision, whichever way you go.

 

I had a long career before I went to PA school, making more money than I do now (I expected that). For me, it was a decision to do what I wanted to do and enter a career that would extend my working life, which it has. My kids were grown up at the time. At the time, it was an $80-100K expense, including the cost of moving to an apartment out of town while my wife stayed behind and worked. There was also my lost salary for 2.5 years.

 

I did the prereqs at night while I kept my day job. I now make about half of what I did in my old job, but I really enjoy what I do. Not ALL of it of course (every job has its downsides) but every day I know why I took this step.

 

I think you really have to want to do this and understand what you and your wife want out of life. As far as teaching, I do a little of that and hope to do more when I retire a bit from the clinical side. I've also found that your credentials from before you become a PA are not lost by any means. I should think your DPT would give you a leg up, especially in ortho or physiatry (if I spelled that right!).

 

So, could you become a PA? By all means. Shadow some and see if you would like the lifestyle (it's way different than just watching a PA work from a distance). And talk with your wife about what you two expect from life. Maybe you'll decide to do it now before kids or, like me, maybe you'll wait. Life is long (hopefully) and time is nature's way of not having everything happen at once. Do what is comfortable for the two of you. As I've told lots of people, the the top two decisions in my life were (1) to marry the right mate and, (2) to have our children. Everything else has been gravy.

 

Good luck!

[SocialMedicine]

--just served on an ad comm and several physical therapists were applying to that PA school. In my mind a DPT makes a great PA candidate.

--Absolutely the DPT positions you better for a career in teaching. I could not see you finding challenge with securing a full time or per diem teaching role In the future. Provided you live in an area where several schools are located.

--In my experience PAs generally have a higher salary then PT's

--if it is worth the debt ... that is up to you ...   how much debt are you in already and account for interest build up during the 3 years you are in PA shooll.

[AZ-Buckeye]

Maybe my situation will help with yours as I struggled with this same issue. Being an OT for 22 years took its toll on me physically while working with the orthopedic population ( I worked with post operative patients). I weighed the options of working and potentially getting to the point where I physically could not work vs the option of changing careers, extending my ability to work but at the risk of financial cost (lost wages, increase debt, depleted savings ect..). For me it was an easy decision. To clarify this was not the sole reason for the change, as I enjoy healthcare and wanted to the opportunity to use my experience in an expanded role in other settings where OTs do not work. I am hoping upon graduation to find an employer who has a loan repayment program to help off set the incrued debt. I hope this helps.

[2234leej]

@UGoLong: Thanks a lot for your advice. Your situation was arguably even more difficult than mine (especially since you were getting a higher salary). You're really lucky you had a wife who supported you through those 2.5 years. My wife was initially resistant to it but she now supports me completely. I think she knows that I like PT a lot but I don't necessarily love it.

 

I have shadowed some ortho PA's and it does appeal to me greatly. There is less autonomy (to some degree) in specialty settings, especially since many people are coming to see physician specialists for their particular problem. Primary care is something of interest to me as well, but with the added debt, I'm pretty sure I'll try to go into ortho surg/specialty setting where PA's make more money.

I'm definitely on the cusp...it's one of the things I think about most. If I may ask, how old were you when you made the decision to switch? 30's/40's?

 

@SocialMedicine: That's good to know; thank you for taking the time to write that. I have had some good interactions/healthcare experience as a PT so I hope that works in my favor for the application process. I would love to work as professor in a PT or PA setting (teaching ortho in PA or teaching more about non-rehab medicine in PT).

 

@AZ-Buckeye: good to see another rehab professional on here! 22 years is quite a long time in any field. I could never have done what you did. My wheel is already turning so I feel like now is the best time to make the switch. If I work for 5 years there's no way I'll go back, especially with kids.

[UGoLong]

@2234leej: I was 51 when I started prereqs, 58 when I went to PA school, and 60 when I graduated. I had not heard of the profession until I was in my late 40s. It was such an interesting time of my life that I wrote a book about it.

 

You should not be surprised if your mate was initially skeptical. You have been making mental changes right along and some of it may be new to her. In some cases, it takes a lot of talking and planning as a couple.

 

Good luck!

[2234leej]

@2234leej: I was 51 when I started prereqs, 58 when I went to PA school, and 60 when I graduated. I had not heard of the profession until I was in my late 40s. It was such an interesting time of my life that I wrote a book about it.

 

You should not be surprised if your mate was initially skeptical. You have been making mental changes right along and some of it may be new to her. In some cases, it takes a lot of talking and planning as a couple.

 

Good luck!

 

Thanks again UGoLong I really appreciate it. We've talked about it a lot and she supports me now. I think she originally wanted me to be done because I've been in school for so long already. Really appreciate your advice.