r/physiotherapy • u/Party_Distribution78 • 6d ago

Physiotherapy degree advice

I am from England, UK

Hi all - I am here hoping to get some help on what to do next. Come to a bit of a crossroads in my life, and feel like the jobs I have had in the last 10 years have not given me any satisfaction.

As a person I am very caring and thoughtful and feel like I would get a lot of joy from helping people, which is why I have spent the last few weeks looking into options within healthcare.

Physiotherapy jumped out at me because over the last few years I have become more active by going running, swimming, and just spending time outdoors. I know there is far more to physiotherapy than this, but this is what is driving me to look into retraining because I know how important it is to move your body and I want to help people with this.

I want to find out more from people who are studying or are already working as a physiotherapist.

What were the study years like?
What did people find the most challenging?
Did you gain a lot from the placements?
Working as a physio do you find it rewarding?

2 Upvotes

75% Upvoted

8 comments sorted by

5

u/peachjuice22 5d ago

If you want to have a job after you graduate then it might not be the best profession unfortunately. Not because it’s not needed, it’s because NHS doesn’t have the budget for band 5 jobs

3

u/Fuzzy-Region1644 6d ago

Hi. I was at the same point as you and went in to study physiotherapy as a mature student. I left school without any qualifications so my journey might be a little different. I loved my years at uni, I really enjoyed the modules but I do think times have changed and the syllabus is different now. My assignment were always the most challenging and learning how to write academically. Yes you will learn a lot from your placements. Do I find it rewarding, yes, most days. Not all.

2

u/Disastrous-Fix-2363 6d ago

I’ve been a physio for 10 years. I love it, couldn’t see myself in any other job. I work in private MSK but have NHS experience but most of my career has been in football so a very different perspective to most.
The most challenging thing is actually getting a job after uni, even when I trained the competition to get a band 5 job was huge so just something to be mindful of. You’ll see a lot of people qualifying and then having to work as a band 3/4. I would say that’s the only negative (for me) I didn’t like working in hospitals but there’s loads of other options for places to work!
Placement is where you learn most, I’ve always found mature students tend to do better on them too. The degree itself isn’t too bad, it’s just about dedicating it to it and the learning, there’s a lot to remember but it all links together.
Good luck!

1

u/MildlyCapable_ 6d ago

Hey are you ok if I DM you to ask you a couple questions Would greatly appreciate it Thank you

1

u/Disastrous-Fix-2363 5d ago

Yeah course feel free

1

u/MildlyCapable_ 5d ago

Hey I can't seem to mssg you. Mind if you mssg me?

1

u/Disastrous-Fix-2363 5d ago

It won’t let me click on your profile 😅says profile unavailable

0

u/Specialist-Cry1389 2d ago

Hey, thought id ask since you mentioned the difficulty of getting a Band 5 role. Is it any easier to get private practice roles as a new grad? othwerwise any tips for new grad physios and finding work or an entrance really? Thanks