what is the difference between an orthopedic nurse and a physical therapist? Is nursing a good job?
Asked by Ashlie
Answers from nurses or PTs are most appreciated. What is the difference in job duties, pay, hours, opportunities? Aside from this, is nursing a good job to get into compared to PT? I heard good and bad about nursing.. I just want to make sure I get the right info... Is it true that all nurses have to train how to deal with human corpse and clean up after their patients when they go to the washroom or bathe the patients?

Best Answer:
They are both good jobs. National average salary for PTs is about $66,000 and RN is about $10,000 less...but depends highly on your level of education, setting and shift your work. An orthopedic nurse is typically one who works on an orthopedic unit in a hospital. They do normal "nursing" type things, performing nursing assessments, dispensing medications, dressing wounds, assisting with patient mobility, completing family/patient education, etc. They might also work privately for an orthopedic surgeon. A physical therapist, on the other hand, is primarily concerned with the evaluation and treatment of patients who have mobility or funcitonal impairments. There is sigifincant potential exposure to blood and "other" body fluids in both nursing and physical therapy...however, again, this will depend on your setting. Since I work in an outpatient setting, this is rare for me. However, as a physical therapist, I was required to take gross human anatomy which requires full dissection of a cadaver. I believe nursing students have a much more limited exposure to this. ...Both PTs and RNs may be required to assist a patient to the bathroom.... ...Hours: for PTs, mostly days with some evenings if you are in the outpatient setting...occasional weekends and holidays. For RNs, if you work privately...mostly day time hours. For the vast majority, however, RNs could be in either 1st, 2nd, or 3rd shift with being required to work several weekends and holidays.
I am a PT www.bls.gov
Answered by mistify

i am neither a nurse nor a physical therapist, but i can say that physical therapy requires more education that is considerably more difficult as well. opportunities are excellant in both fields. you can make more money as a physical therapist especially if you head your own firm. usually physical therapists have physical therapy assistants working with them and the PTA's are closer to orthopedic nurses in many respects.
Answered by rexx0046

nursings the way to go. although i dont feel like talking about why id rather keep my good job a secret.
Answered by Super Bruin 2