Are you content with your work environment as a physical therapist?
#physical-therapy #physical-therapist
2 answers
Deborah R. Brandt, PT, DPT
Deborah R.’s Answer
I am now retired but I worked in two hospitals, several schools, senior home care, Early Intervention, and in my own private practice. I worked in one school for almost ten years and of all my jobs I was happiest there, particularly when I worked with one specific principal who was there for about five of those years.
In general, every work environment has positive and negative aspects. It is unlikely that any work place would be perfect. The goal is to find an environment that has more positives than negatives. Physical therapists have a huge number of possible working environments. If you like the patient population, the next most important element in the environment, I think, is the people you work with and the people you report to.
It was most important to me that I liked the people I worked for and felt respected by them. I felt that the special principal I referred to above liked me, I liked him, and I also felt that he respected not just me, but all the other therapists and teachers in the school. To me, that is a good workplace environment.
It is really important to feel primarily good about your workplace environment. I had one principal who made my work life very difficult and eventually I got sick and had to go out on disability. So, if you don't feel comfortable at your job, it is important to move to a different job before that happens. I stayed too long because I loved the children I was working with and didn't want to leave them, but I should have looked for work elsewhere before I got sick.
Since I don't know why you asked your question, here are some questions that may be relevant to you that you can ask yourself. See the list below.
Deborah R. recommends the following next steps:
Angelina’s Answer
I think it varies at every workplace but these are the reasons this job was the right choice for me
Out of all medical professions I felt as though PT had a positive environment compared to other medical offices. I rarely ever saw a patient that was unhappy with treatment or being there. Whereas you look at places like the dentist where some people are scared or hospitals where there is a lot of sadness. I felt as though pt never had that vibe.
Im also all about work life balance. Growing up my father who worked on wall street never had time for me and was always working and till this day he said he regretted that workchoice. As a pt you really can't take home your work, once the patients are gone its not like you have a ton left to do.
Lastly, even though we do some work on a computer most of it is being active and talking to people which is great for a talker! and someone who cant sit still:)