Student having doubts advice needed!

[alolia2k]

Hello I am looking for some insight or advice. I am a 3rd year PT student and I am having major doubts that this is the right career for me. Having done some placements it appears that the role is quite limited in a hospital ward setting mainly involving mobility assessments, stair assessments etc. for safe discharge, across most specialisms such as general medical, surgical, T and O, care of elderly etc. How many years does it take to progress beyond this and take on more interesting, specialised work? What other opportunities are there? It also seems that there is endless study and work in the professional to maintain CPD and keep skills and knowledge up to date which implies it is not just 9-5 job? Is this correct? I have struggled so much to keep up with the amount of study and work on the course and I am concerned this will never end even after graduating? Also my main goal is to work in NZ or Australia, and was wondering how difficult this is for a new graduate? Any advise would be much appreciated. Thank you

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[Fyzzio]

HI,
doubts are OK, they keep you focussed.

If you want a job that does not require constant updating and lifelong professional development - don't chose anything scientific, whether that's medical or science technology. That's not a burden, that's what makes the job interesting.

I feel sorry that your clinical educators are unable to highlight to you the significance of physio work in a hospital. Deciding whether patients are safe to discharge is of huge importance, early mobilisation prevents a lot of secondary complications and if you mess up your intervention in Trauma and Orthopaedics, your patients will suffer for the rest of their lives. These roles each have a high degree of specialisation in themselves. Ask your Clin Educator why you fail to see that. However, you do not have to like hospital work - it's extremely draining with a never ending workload that needs to be squeezed into small amounts of time, includes weekend duties and a high emotional involvement. On the other side - it's the best for team work, peer support, supervision and free of charge training opportunities.

At some stage you will have to decide whether you want your physio career to be in prevention, primary (e.h. hospital or private practice), secondary (Rehab) or tertiary health (Community, private practice). And the specialisation comes after that decision - pretty much straight away. And then, after a few years, you might like to chose a different path of specialisation. And you can - another beauty of being a Physio.

You can apply for registration in Australia, but will have to pay a substantial amount of money for the application and the exams. NZ has a 4 year degree, so they require 12 months of clinical experience before you can apply.

The training is tough, but you're just about there - keep on going, you'll be fine.

Fyzzio

[Unite Health Management]

Hi there,

I am sorry to hear you are feeling like this. It can be very frustrating to begin with. I am actually based in Australia, but originally from the UK. if you are thinking of coming to Australia you will most likely need to sit the APC Physiotherapy exams. I work for a company that runs preparation courses for these exams. We also run the APPI Pilates Teacher Training courses as well as other CPD Physiotherapy courses.

Starting out in Physiotherapy does not nessasarily mean working in hospitals. Some private clinics are happy to take on new graduates and if you are lucky you will find a clinic that will really help to progress you career with on-going training. If you are thinking of coming to Australia clinics like 'Back In Motion' usually take on new graduates and give you great opportunities.

Just keep trying new things to see what it is that really interests you.

(More info on prep courses)
APC Clinical Exam Preparation for Physiotherapists

[alolia2k]

Hi Fyzzio, thank you for your reply.
I do not mind a job where I am constantly learning and developing but my concern with physio is that it does not come naturally to me at all and I find it very challenging so for me personally to be any good I would have to constantly be studying and practicing, and I want more work life balance. I also understand the importance of physio work in the hospital but it does not really suit the way I like to work, I feel like its just a check list of patients to work through without much time to really consider them in much detail and also battling with messy notes and paperwork. I do not think this style of working is for me. What do you mean when you say deciding if I want t work in 'prevention' and also what do you mean exactly by 'secondary' sector?

You say I do not have to work in a hospital but is it not usually the best idea to do at least a year or 2 in hospital to get all-rounded clinical experience otherwise I would not be very employable elsewhere? I am just so confused right now, I do not know what to do.
Thanks for your help

Alex

HI,
doubts are OK, they keep you focussed.

If you want a job that does not require constant updating and lifelong professional development - don't chose anything scientific, whether that's medical or science technology. That's not a burden, that's what makes the job interesting.

I feel sorry that your clinical educators are unable to highlight to you the significance of physio work in a hospital. Deciding whether patients are safe to discharge is of huge importance, early mobilisation prevents a lot of secondary complications and if you mess up your intervention in Trauma and Orthopaedics, your patients will suffer for the rest of their lives. These roles each have a high degree of specialisation in themselves. Ask your Clin Educator why you fail to see that. However, you do not have to like hospital work - it's extremely draining with a never ending workload that needs to be squeezed into small amounts of time, includes weekend duties and a high emotional involvement. On the other side - it's the best for team work, peer support, supervision and free of charge training opportunities.

At some stage you will have to decide whether you want your physio career to be in prevention, primary (e.h. hospital or private practice), secondary (Rehab) or tertiary health (Community, private practice). And the specialisation comes after that decision - pretty much straight away. And then, after a few years, you might like to chose a different path of specialisation. And you can - another beauty of being a Physio.

You can apply for registration in Australia, but will have to pay a substantial amount of money for the application and the exams. NZ has a 4 year degree, so they require 12 months of clinical experience before you can apply.

The training is tough, but you're just about there - keep on going, you'll be fine.

Fyzzio

[Fyzzio]

Hi,
as a Physio, the world is wide open in regards to future employment. We work in all areas of health care, research or education (I think that covers most).

In regards to lifelong learning: I'm not sure what you were expecting when you started studying. But a science degree only gives you a basic understanding of the profession. Your clinical placements will only cover a fraction of actual physio work and you are quite protected in regards to the patients you'll see. The actual bulk of learning will occur over the next +/-5 yrs post grad. And that learning is actual fun - because you can pick and chose and will discover areas that fascinate you so that studying is exciting rather than a 'must'. You will develop a routine with notes writing and paperwork - don't worry if it troubles you now.

Prevention: you can work in prevention, e.g. health management, fitness, balance and elderly exercise classes; this means that you work with healthy individuals and/ or work in areas of education
Secondary: the stage after primary care; here you work with patients that have already been seen and discharged from acute services, but need ongoing intervention to achieve further gains before they can be discharged home; e.g. pulmonary or cardiac rehab, neuro rehab, elderly rehab
Tertiary: this refers to patients that have been discharged home, but still require intervention, either for rehab or maintenance; same topics as above, but intervention takes place in the community

New grad experience: I would highly recommend hospital rotations; the skills you learn during the different rotations are transferrable and the focus is far more on patient care rather than making money. I know this doesn't sound right, but that's my experience. This would benefit you, esp. if you are looking towards working overseas. If you go into private practice, make sure they offer a wide ranged regular IST programme, peer review and supervision.

Have you had a placement in Outpatients yet? Did you like that better? What have you chosen as your elective?

Fyzzio

[alolia2k]

Hello,
yes I have had outpatients but as it was my first placement I think it was hard to really judge whether I like it or not IT was also a very small hospital with up to an hour per patient, which is unlikely in most bigger hospitals, so not sure this was a true outpatients experience? I think I would like outpatients more in terms of more problem solving and finding solutions and developing treatment plans for specific things. What do you mean by elective? We do not choose any of our placements, they are allocated.

What is it like in a busy outpatients setting? Do you have time with each patient to properly assess, discuss and treat. Do you follow up each patient right through all of their sessions, or would they be seen by a different physio each time?

Also what is it like in a neuro setting? For example with stroke patients on a ward? Would it involve specific treatment plans, or is it more general mobility to ensure they are safe for discharge?

Thanks

Alex

Hi,
as a Physio, the world is wide open in regards to future employment. We work in all areas of health care, research or education (I think that covers most).

In regards to lifelong learning: I'm not sure what you were expecting when you started studying. But a science degree only gives you a basic understanding of the profession. Your clinical placements will only cover a fraction of actual physio work and you are quite protected in regards to the patients you'll see. The actual bulk of learning will occur over the next +/-5 yrs post grad. And that learning is actual fun - because you can pick and chose and will discover areas that fascinate you so that studying is exciting rather than a 'must'. You will develop a routine with notes writing and paperwork - don't worry if it troubles you now.

Prevention: you can work in prevention, e.g. health management, fitness, balance and elderly exercise classes; this means that you work with healthy individuals and/ or work in areas of education
Secondary: the stage after primary care; here you work with patients that have already been seen and discharged from acute services, but need ongoing intervention to achieve further gains before they can be discharged home; e.g. pulmonary or cardiac rehab, neuro rehab, elderly rehab
Tertiary: this refers to patients that have been discharged home, but still require intervention, either for rehab or maintenance; same topics as above, but intervention takes place in the community

New grad experience: I would highly recommend hospital rotations; the skills you learn during the different rotations are transferrable and the focus is far more on patient care rather than making money. I know this doesn't sound right, but that's my experience. This would benefit you, esp. if you are looking towards working overseas. If you go into private practice, make sure they offer a wide ranged regular IST programme, peer review and supervision.

Have you had a placement in Outpatients yet? Did you like that better? What have you chosen as your elective?

Fyzzio

- - - Updated - - -

Hello,
yes I have had outpatients but as it was my first placement I think it was hard to really judge whether I like it or not IT was also a very small hospital with up to an hour per patient, which is unlikely in most bigger hospitals, so not sure this was a true outpatients experience? I think I would like outpatients more in terms of more problem solving and finding solutions and developing treatment plans for specific things. What do you mean by elective? We do not choose any of our placements, they are allocated.

What is it like in a busy outpatients setting? Do you have time with each patient to properly assess, discuss and treat. Do you follow up each patient right through all of their sessions, or would they be seen by a different physio each time?

Also what is it like in a neuro setting? For example with stroke patients on a ward? Would it involve specific treatment plans, or is it more general mobility to ensure they are safe for discharge?

Thanks

Alex

Hi,
as a Physio, the world is wide open in regards to future employment. We work in all areas of health care, research or education (I think that covers most).

In regards to lifelong learning: I'm not sure what you were expecting when you started studying. But a science degree only gives you a basic understanding of the profession. Your clinical placements will only cover a fraction of actual physio work and you are quite protected in regards to the patients you'll see. The actual bulk of learning will occur over the next +/-5 yrs post grad. And that learning is actual fun - because you can pick and chose and will discover areas that fascinate you so that studying is exciting rather than a 'must'. You will develop a routine with notes writing and paperwork - don't worry if it troubles you now.

Prevention: you can work in prevention, e.g. health management, fitness, balance and elderly exercise classes; this means that you work with healthy individuals and/ or work in areas of education
Secondary: the stage after primary care; here you work with patients that have already been seen and discharged from acute services, but need ongoing intervention to achieve further gains before they can be discharged home; e.g. pulmonary or cardiac rehab, neuro rehab, elderly rehab
Tertiary: this refers to patients that have been discharged home, but still require intervention, either for rehab or maintenance; same topics as above, but intervention takes place in the community

New grad experience: I would highly recommend hospital rotations; the skills you learn during the different rotations are transferrable and the focus is far more on patient care rather than making money. I know this doesn't sound right, but that's my experience. This would benefit you, esp. if you are looking towards working overseas. If you go into private practice, make sure they offer a wide ranged regular IST programme, peer review and supervision.

Have you had a placement in Outpatients yet? Did you like that better? What have you chosen as your elective?

Fyzzio

[Fyzzio]

Hi,
in NZ, Students have 3 or 4 allocated clinical placements and then an 'elective' - you chose your own - whatever you like.

Outpatients: yes, wherever I have worked, you follow your clients through from first assessment to discharge; most hospitals will allow for 30 min sessions, in private practice it is more likely to be 20 min
Neuro Rehab: it's the same - you assess and then develop treatment plans and see clients until discharge; most rehab units are staffed to give clients 2 treatments per day, so you can focus on different areas; on Neuro acute, it's more likely to be one treatment per day - but this is also Neuro Physio - not general mobilisation.