<p>Physical Therapy vs. Nursing: deciding between DPT or direct-entry MSN.</p>
<p>Hi, new here, and looking for some advice about which graduate program to choose:
I have a bachelor's degree in Biology, and have been admitted for this fall to a brand new Doctor of Physical Therapy program (3 yrs $80K total cost) and also to an established, and well-respected Master's Entry Program in Nursing (21 months $90K total cost). </p>
<p>Yes, I know PT and Nursing ARE very different. I've shadowed and researched each profession a lot, and know I'd enjoy either. Both have the components I want in a career: connecting with patients, evidence-based, results-driven practice, and some level of autonomy as a practitioner (I plan to go on for DNP if I go the nursing route). There are pros and cons to each: I feel I'd like the actual work (and regular hours) of PT better. But nursing seems to have more options to advance into leadership roles and switch it up, which is great for a person like me who gets bored if I do one particular thing for too long. </p>
<p>The Nursing program I was accepted to has great reputation in the community and 100% of new grads had jobs at graduation. The DPT program is brand new as of last year--I would be in the 2nd graduating class--and so there's some element of the unknown as far as quality of education, clinical opportunities, level of faculty support, jobs at graduation etc. Both programs will be academically challenging, but overall I expect the Nursing program would be less intensive and time-consuming than the DPT program.</p>
<p>One last thing to consider is that I would like to start a family in the next 1-3 years, and this is factoring into my decision as well. (yes, obviously having a baby while in grad school is not ideal, but this is the reality of the situation.) When I graduate, I'd like to have the option to work part time, and I know both PTs and RNs who do this while their kids are young.</p>
<p>So, it comes down to: 2 yrs to a master's nursing degree in a great, supportive program (plus 1yr as a new grad probably with bad hours, then more flexibility and good pay)? Or 3 yrs to a doctorate in PT in a unestablished/unknown program (then regular hours, and slightly less pay)? Help please! It's really great to have these options, but I need to make this decision by next week! :) Thanks for the input!</p>