Nurse Vs Physiotherapist (PT), Which Is Better? (Must Read)

Are you trying to figure out what you want to study or what career you want to pursue?

Are you contemplating a career as a Nurse or a Physiotherapist (PT)?

Selecting one to study can be a tough and intimidating task.

As a result, I’ve decided to write this post.

Nurse Vs Physiotherapist (PT), Which Career Is better?

Nursing is thought to be better than Physiotherapists (PT) since it pays more and offers more career options. Nurses and Physiotherapists (PT) both work shifts and are on their feet for long periods. Nursing and physiotherapy jobs can be stressful as well because they must make critical decisions that affect a patient’s health.

Being a health care worker is really fulfilling since you get to meet a variety of people and assist them in watching patients improve over the course of treatment and/or rehabilitation and achieve their goals.

A person’s passion for one or both of the fields can provide the answer to this question.

Both professions have the potential to lead to a rewarding career; nevertheless, you must be able to adapt to your chosen domain.

Understanding the differences between the two disciplines is the most efficient method to discover and pursue your interests.

Then, based on your employment prospects, finances, and, most importantly, your interests, you may select the best options for yourself.

Now that we’ve answered the major question, let’s look at what it takes to be a Nurse or a Physiotherapist (PT).

So let’s talk about Physiotherapist (PT)

Physiotherapists (PT) are most commonly found in private offices and clinics, hospitals, patient’s homes, and nursing homes.

They spend the majority of their time on their feet, interacting with patients.

Physiotherapists (PT) often work during standard business hours, but some also work evenings and weekends.

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So let’s talk about Nursing

Nursing is a demanding professional path, but if you are compassionate and want to help the weak and sick, this is the path for you.

You must also be willing to work long hours in high-stress settings and put your patients’ needs ahead of your own.

Advanced-degreed nurses are in high demand all around the world, and they can find work in both the private and public sectors quickly.

To begin your career as a nurse, you must complete one of three educational paths: a bachelor’s degree in nursing, an associate’s degree in nursing, or a diploma from a recognised nursing programme.

A licence is required for registered nurses.

Many people mistakenly believe that nursing means caring for patients.

It’s much more than that, though.

Nurses are increasingly taking on leadership roles in healthcare settings, and they are capable of accomplishing a variety of tasks.

Furthermore, advanced education allows you to specialise in a certain field.

Speciality fields such as Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners

What Do Nurses Do Every Day?

Registered Nurses (RNs) provide and coordinate patient care, educate patients and the public about various health conditions, and provide advice and emotional support to patients and their families.

Nurses collaborate with doctors and other healthcare professionals to plan, coordinate, and deliver care to patients with a variety of medical conditions.

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What Do Physiotherapists (PT) Do Every Day?

Physiotherapists assist persons who are injured or unwell in regaining mobility and managing pain. They are frequently used in the prevention, rehabilitation, and treatment of people suffering from chronic illnesses or accidents.

Physical therapists’ tasks differ depending on the patient. A patient healing from a stroke, for example, requires care that is distinct from a patient recovering from a sports injury.

Some physical therapists specialise in a specific area of care, such as orthopaedics or geriatrics, for example.

Many physical therapists also work with patients to build fitness and wellness programmes that promote healthy, active lifestyles.

Is Physiotherapy Easier Than Nursing?

It is more difficult to become a Physiotherapist, at least in the United States, due to intentionally high entry barriers and a restricted number of PT programmes.

To be able to practice as a Physiotherapist requires a professional doctorate degree, whereas a Registered Nurse can be obtained with an associate degree.

A Physiotherapist programme includes intensive and sometimes demanding sessions on anatomy and physiology, particularly the musculoskeletal system, on which they explicitly act and intervene.

While Nursing requires a solid understanding of human body parts and functions, physical therapists are required to focus on bone and muscle, down to the last fibre as it always does.

However, if you are wanting to specialise in Nursing will require further education.

For example Nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners, also referred to as advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), must have at least a master’s degree in their specialty role.

APRNs also must be licensed registered nurses in their state, pass a national certification exam, and have a state APRN license.

Nursing and physiotherapy work can both be physically and emotionally taxing. Some people spend most of their day on their feet. Because they must lift and move patients, they are prone to back injuries. Nursing and physiotherapy jobs can be stressful as well because they must make critical decisions that affect a patient’s health.

How To Become A Nurse Practitioner?

Becoming a Nurse Practioner will take significant time and effort.

The education and training of a Nurse Practitioner normally take six to eight years.

Typically require a master’s degree in the field of your choice (two to three years.) Then required to take and pass the APRN certification exam (less than one year.)

How To Become A Physiotherapist?

To become a physical therapist, you need to have completed an undergraduate degree (4 years).

To become a board-certified and licenced physical therapist, you must first apply for admission to and graduate from a CAPTE-accredited programme, as well as pass the NPTE.

The regular DPT programme takes roughly (3) three years to complete.

So, that adds up to 7 years of study to become a qualified Physiotherapist

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Nurse Or Physiotherapist, Who Earns More? (Explained)

Nurses Practitioners earn more than Physiotherapists, with the median wage of a Nurse Practitioner $117,670 compared to $91,010 per annum.

However, wages will vary on the number of years of experience, geographical location, etc.

According to US Labor Bureau and Statistics, the median annual wage for nurse anaesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners was $117,670 per year in 2020.

The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.

The lowest 10 per cent earned less than $82,460, and the highest 10 per cent earned more than $184,180.

Job Role Median Wage / Per Annum
Nurse Practitioners, Nurse Anesthetists, Midwives $117,670
Registered Nurse $75,330

Median annual wages for nurse anaesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners in May 2019 were as follows:

Nurse anaesthetists $183,580
Nurse practitioners $111,680
Nurse-midwives $111,130

In May 2020, the median annual wages for nurse anaesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:

Hospitals; state, local, and private $124,660
Outpatient care centres $122,840
Offices of physicians $114,570
Offices of other health practitioners $111,610
Educational services; state, local, and private $111,400

Source; Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners: Occupational Outlook Handbook: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (bls.gov)

Being a Physiotherapist (PT) you do have the opportunity to start up your own private practice with the potential of higher income and the pleasure and pressure of being your own boss. 

With demand expected to increase by 21% every year, you should have no trouble finding work as a Physiotherapist (PT). The registered nursing job outlook is predicted to rise at a rate of roughly 9% per year.

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Final Thoughts

Being a health care worker is fulfilling since you get to meet a variety of people and assist them in watching patients improve throughout treatment and/or rehabilitation and achieve their goals.

Nursing is regarded to be superior to physiotherapy (PT) since it pays more and provides more career choices. Both advanced nursing roles and physiotherapist (PT) positions have rigorous educational requirements.

Nurses and physiotherapists (PT) both work shifts and spend long periods on their feet. Nursing and physiotherapy careers can also be stressful because they need to make vital judgments that affect a patient’s health.

It is important to choose what to study and what career to pursue.

Speak with trustworthy friends and family members, and think about obtaining professional help.

Before choosing a career path to study, consider your talents and limits, as well as your likes and dislikes.

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References

  • Source; Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners: Occupational Outlook Handbook: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (bls.gov)
  • Registered Nurses: Occupational Outlook Handbook:: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (bls.gov)
  • https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/physical-therapists.htm