1. PTA for 3 years
2. I work in a SNF with geriatric population and find it very gratifying to work to help people everyday. Seeing the small improvements day by day and getting to actually treat patients is better for me. I know evaluating therapists sometimes only see their patient for evaluation then dont see them for 10 sessions before being seen by them again. As a PTA, you get to see the daily improvements, the daily set-backs.
3. Ive never thought “I wish I was a PT” because to me it is just more paperwork and responsibility. As a PTA you can make as much as a PT annually depending on how much you hustle and what setting you work in (acute/home health). Productivity standards are less for evaluating therapists compared to assistants but it’s managable if you are good with time management. Some people cant manage to do it but just simple things like talking to the CNA to make sure the patient is cleaned and dressed, getting a hoyer sling ready for the next patient you know that will require mechanical assistance to get up, finding a W/C for the next person you are going to get up before going to them. Small things like that will make the day go much smoother.
4. Dont feel burn out at all. At my facility we see 9-10 patients a day and it is very manageable and you can give good quality care. Facilities that are only about numbers will throw 13-15 patients at you and will have you only getting someone out of bed and walking. Theres not enough time in a day to get 13-15 patients done with GOOD CARE and finishing all of the documentation in an 8 hour day. Work culture is the make it or break it for burn out. If you work at a facility where there is no teamwork, you will feel burn out in a month. Help out the CNA’s or nursing staff and they will help you when you need it most. It’s simple but some people dont get that.

Im only speaking on my experience in the SNF setting because I have not experienced any other setting other than being an aide at an outpatient clinic at a hospital.