'We're the ones holding your hand, telling you to push harder. I like that. That’s the trainer in me.'

Blinn student Shelby Salley combines her passion for personal training and healing through the Physical Therapist Assistant Program

September 18, 2024

Quitman, Texas, native Shelby Salley has always had an athlete’s spirit. Growing up, she balanced gymnastics, tennis, track, and even won a secondary black belt world championship in Taekwondo.

“I’m constantly moving,” Salley said. “It’s how I calm my body down and focus.”

A first-generation college student, Salley chose to start her college career at Blinn before transferring to Texas A&M University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Motor Behavior Kinesiology and started her own personal training franchise. When she sought a more meaningful way to connect her athletic background with a desire to help people, Blinn’s Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Program was the answer.

“I’ve always loved kinesiology and movement, but I wasn’t sure what avenue to take until I found physical therapy,” Salley said. “It’s rewarding to help someone regain something they have lost, whether it’s their sport, the ability to walk, or even just getting in their car or visiting their grandchildren. Blinn’s program was my top choice, and I only applied there. Luckily, it worked out.”

PTAs help patients of all ages with medical or health-related conditions that limit their mobility and daily function. They teach patients exercises to improve mobility, strength, and coordination; assist patients to walk with crutches, canes, or walkers; and provide treatments such as ultrasound, electrical stimulation, heat, cold, and massage.

This hands-on patient care and Blinn’s affordability drew Salley to the field.

“Cost was the number one factor in choosing PTA over becoming a physical therapist. Schooling to become a PT is very expensive,” Salley said. “Another factor is that PTAs are in direct contact with the patients throughout their care. We’re the ones holding your hand and telling you to push harder. I like that. That’s the trainer in me.”

Blinn’s PTA Program is located at the RELLIS Academic Alliance Complex at Texas A&M-RELLIS in Bryan. Part of a 16,000-square-foot health sciences simulation center, Blinn’s physical therapy lab provides students with innovative instruction and training. There, students can put their coursework into practice immediately through hands-on simulation. Blinn students also participate in clinical rotations to gain experience prior to graduation.

Salley is looking forward to beginning her clinical rotations, where she hopes to explore her interests further.

“Outpatient orthopedic is something that I know I already love, but I’m also drawn to neuro. I want to work with brain, spine, and traumatic injuries, including Parkinson’s and dementia patients,” she said. “Every person and every treatment is different, and I like that challenge.”

Blinn’s PTA Program has a two-year National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) first-attempt pass rate of 94% and has achieved a 100% employment rate since 2019. Salley credits the program’s small class size and dedicated faculty for its success.

“The small cohort size and one-on-one attention is an environment I thrive in, and my classmates do as well,” said Salley. “The professors ensure we fully understand each topic, which is critical for both licensure and working in the field.”

PTAs can gain employment in hospitals, outpatient clinics, inpatient rehabilitation facilities, education or research centers, schools, hospices, workplace environments, fitness centers, sports training facilities, and military settings.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Texas leads the nation in PTA employment with a mean annual salary of $72,060.

To learn more about Blinn’s PTA Program, visit www.blinn.edu/physical-therapist-assistant.