working as a physiotherapist

[marcos9999]

I am going for a degree in nursing and I heard good things about being a physiotherapist. How does it compare to nursing in terms of going out there and finding a job, and what is the base pay for a physiotherapist these days. I live and intend to work in California's Bay Area.

Thanks

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[neving]

where to start!
I am a physiotherapist with a lot of years of experience working in 4 different countries, and I'd say go for it! It is a very versatile profession, with a wide range of possibilities. We work in almost every area of medicine, a large number work in orthopedics/sports medicine, lots of fun because you basically work with "healthy" people, specially in sports, concentrating on musculosceletal problems/injuries. In this area many of us work in private practise, being paid directly by the patient, but of course we also work in hospitals. Another large area is neurology, very challanging and interesting, and very rewarding, then there is pedeatrics, mental health, pre- and post-natal care, rheumatology, geriatrics, palliative care, cardiovascular care, general surgery, the list goes on. The profession also gives you the opportunity to work either for an agency or facility, eg. hospital, home care, extended care, etc., or to work as an independent physiotherapist. Some of us are affiliated with a particular sports team, or work at sports events. Although we do often work on weekends, specially in hospitals, we seldom do night duties, another plus!
You should also check out the training requirements, in some countries the physiotherapy programs are masters programs, so you would need your B. degree first anyway. Depending where you graduate from, you might have the possibility to travel pretty much world wide and work in a number of countries, also a great plus.
And - of course - we are the greatest bunch of people you will ever meet!
So - go for it and good luck!
neving