CovalentCareers
HOW TO
LAND YOUR
FIRST
PHYSICAL
THERAPY
JOB AFTER
GRAD SCHOOL
Brett Kestenbaum Pt , DPT The simple guide that takes you through everything from choosing a setting to resume writing job search and salary negotiations
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Table Of Contents 1. Introduction ................................................................ 2. Why Networking is so important ............................... 3. Different Settings you can work in ............................ 4. Goal Setting ................................................................. 5. Resume Writing .......................................................... 6. Cover Letter ................................................................ 7. Standing out - Blogging .............................................. 8. Job Search ................................................................... 9. Common Mistakes ...................................................... 10. Advice From Hiring Managers ................................. 11. Negotiating Salary .................................................... 12. Transitioning into your first job ..............................
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Introduction Letter From Brett Kestenabum
A career is an incredible journey and the first moments can only be experienced once. I remember being incredibly excited after graduation and then just as nervous about my career soon after. I was nervous about the board exam. I was nervous because I’d never written a resume before (true story). I was nervous because I didn’t know what setting I wanted to work in, or even where I wanted to to work! The time after graduation was an emotional roller coaster and I did not feel I was prepared for it. The truth is we get a fantastic clinical education in school, and then the guidance stops. I wrote this ebook because I feel it is something that is needed. Going from student to practitioner is a transition, and this ebook is written to guide you through it. I’d like to thank all of the incredible people whose works from newgradphysicaltherapy.com have been credited throughout this ebook. Lastly, I’d like to tell you all how excited I am for you to experience this incredible time in your lives! Have fun, and embrace the journey.
Brett Kestenbaum 1.
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Networking When to start and where Networking is a topic that gets me going crazy because besides becoming a rockstar practitioner and honing your craft, it is the MOST important thing to do for your career - period. Well, to be honest, networking and clinical practice are equally important and here's an example that explains why. There are two practitioners - let's call them Emily and Erin, who both want to work for a professional sports team. Emily and Erin are both equally skilled. They are both grand master orthopedic physical therapists who can take on any diagnosis and injury. Emily has been connecting and networking in the industry for ten years, has a large following online, and knows everyone. Erin is more reserved, keeps to herself, and does not have an online presence. Both Erin and Emily apply to the same job to work for the Yankees. Emily, who has a large social following from networking for ten years, posts on her social media channels that she is applying for a job as a PT for the Yankees. Emily's contact Bob messages her and says he has a friend named Jason, who is the hiring manager for the Yankees. Emily calls Jason and sets up an interview.
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Networking When to start and where
Erin, who has not networked for ten years, finds the position of PT for the Yankees and sends her resume. Her resume lands on a pile of 10,000 others that have applied for this coveted position. Although Erin is incredibly skilled and qualified, nobody knows that because, at this point, she is just another piece of paper in a large pile. Networking is important because it is the way to get where you want to go. We live in a world of people, and it's those people that hold the keys to the kingdom. I will dedicate an entire ebook to networking but, for now, read Shante Cofield’s PT, DPT, OCS, CSCS article on networking. It will give you a background on where to begin. I recommend putting this ebook down and starting right now! Seriously, come back and read the rest once you have taken steps towards building your network.... Also, take a look at how Mark Denesha connected with Kelly Starrett as a new grad. Ok, now that you've begun networking let’s discuss the different PT settings you can work in.
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Physical Therapy Settings This section is written from contributions by Meredith Victor PT, DPT
Acute Care (Acute, Inpatient, Med-Surg) This setting involves treating patients who are acutely ill, either having just had surgery or fighting an active illness. Sometimes, you may even treat patients in the ICU. Acute care is a great place to learn and become comfortable with medical diagnosis, and contraindications. As the profession moves closer and closer towards becoming primary care practitioners with direct access, understanding medical diagnosis and contraindications becomes ever more important. Adult Day Care This is an environment where loved ones drop patients for the day in a facility filled with other adults, where they receive meals and engage in activities and outings, as well as therapies. Correctional Facility Physical therapy in a correctional facility involves providing evaluations and treatments to incarcerated individuals. Hand Therapy While many occupational therapists choose to specialize in hand therapy, it is also a popular path for PTs. Hand therapists commonly practice within hospitals or as part of larger PT clinics. Home Health In this setting, physical therapy is provided in patients’ homes, rather than in a hospital or clinic. This can include assisted living facilities. Inpatient Rehab (Acute Rehab) Inpatient rehab is where patients land when they were pretty independent prior to an illness/injury and have the ability to tolerate intense therapy (and have expected positive outcomes following rehab.)
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Physical Therapy Settings This section is written from contributions by Meredith Victor PT, DPT
LTAC (Long Term Acute Care) LTAC PTs treat patients who were medically stable enough to leave an acute care hospital, but need continued medical care above what is provided by a nursing staff at a SNF or inpatient rehab. These patients are often medically fragile, but their physical mobility varies. Patients typically discharge either to SNFs or acute rehab from LTACs. Occupational Medicine Occupational health PTs work with patients to help them return to work, improve their safety, or improve their workplace productivity. Orthopedics/Sports PTs in this setting treat patients with orthopedic injuries…anything from simple shoulder or knee pain, to complex post-op spinal rehab. Pediatrics Pediatric physical therapists treat young patients who have developmental or orthopedic conditions that impair their functionality. Pelvic Health/Women’s Health PTs who perform pelvic health/women’s health therapy have a very specialized area of practice involving retraining the pelvic muscles to relieve pain and improve function. Registry/Float Pool/Per Diem PTs can work for a single hospital, hospital system, independently contract themselves, or opt to work for a registry organization. In each case, they are contracted to work on an “as needed” basis, which is generally non-benefited but has higher pay and greater flexibility.
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Physical Therapy Settings This section is written from contributions by Meredith Victor PT, DPT
Travel Physical Therapy PTs who elect to travel will find themselves in different settings, different cities and different lives every few months. It’s an exciting lifestyle, with many changes. School System PTs have lots of options within the school system. They can treat patients from preschool through high school/vocational school. Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF, Convalescent Home, Nursing Home, Sub-acute Rehab) Nursing homes have a variety of patients, from long term dementia or chronically ill patients to those who need a brief stay before returning home. PTs in SNFs have a lot of job security, as the baby boomers age. Wellness Clinic Recently, wellness clinics have been abounding in the PT world. With insurance changes, many clinic heads are choosing to increase the focus to cash-pay clients, offering a concierge service that blends fitness and PT. Choosing which setting is right for you depends on your goals, which will be covered next. For more information on each of these settings including pros, cons, pay, and advice for new grads read this article on PT settings by Meredith Victor PT, DPT.
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Goal Setting Examples: In the example of the Yankees, your long term goal (your north star) would be working for the Yankees. From there, you would set your short term goals by following a logical progression backwards to find the thing you need to do today that will get you closer to your north star. So, to work for the Yankees you would need to be the best sports therapist in the world, and you would need to be within the network that can get you the interview you need. You know that to become the best sports therapist in the world you may want to find the best sports therapist mentor and become SCS certified and likely CSCS and PES certified as well. If you don’t meet the minimum requirements for SCS certification, then you will need to do whatever it takes to meet those requirements - and that's where you’d start. Your short term goal is now getting the requirements to become SCS certified. If you are the type of person who only knows that they want to make $70,000 / year then start from there, or if you know that you want to be an orthopedic therapist in San Diego then start there.
“Setting goals is the first step in turning the invisible into the visible.” Tony Robbins Now that we have our goals picked out it's time to tackle something you will likely need along your journey - writing your resume like a pro!
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Writing your Resume Like A Pro Everyone has a resume. To stand out, you need to have an exceptional resume. Most people read the traditional resources on writing resumes’ that talk about how you need an objective, work experience, and academics. I’m here to tell you that, especially as a new grad, you better stand out if you want to land the job of your dreams! Recruiters and hiring managers spend an average of 15 seconds (some studies say 8 seconds) sifting through resumes’ so you need to convey your value, and what sets you apart in the opening sentence. There are a few things you need to do to show you are “different and valuable.” 1. Format and design your resume as if it is a work of art Make sure the design is simple (so it can be easily read), yet elegant (so it looks like you put a lot of time and thought into it) 2. Write a short summary statement highlighting your top achievements that would be of value to the specific employer “Ambitious and motivated new graduate physical therapist with experience treating high volume patient load at a top teaching hospital. Served as co-chair of a council of student PTs. Received Outstanding Leadership Scholarship and graduated in the top third of PT class.” As a new graduate you are going to have to convey your value in different ways than highlighting your work experience because, well, you don’t have any! There may be times in which highlighting your clinical experience could be of value if it is something rare, unique, and would be of benefit in the position for which you are applying. One scenario would be applying for a level 1 trauma center, and you’ve worked in a level 1 trauma facility in the ICU or trauma units before. There are also other ways you can convey your value to future employers. If you are applying for outpatient clinics, for instance, and you are excellent with social media and websites, describe how you can change their business by improving their marketing to the local community online. Get artistic, think outside of the box. Flex those creative muscles that each and everyone one of you have as PTs Cameron Yuen, SPT wrote a great article describing what you can do as a student to begin building an awesome resume.
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Standing out blogging If by now you have not figured out that the name of the game is networking and standing out then I will take this opportunity to spell it out for you The Name of the Game is Networking and Standing out :) Platforms like LinkedIn and CovalentCareers were designed to make both networking and standing out easier for you. Learn to leverage these technologies, and others to get a quick leg up on your peers. Outside of networking platforms, there are other ways to stand out, both through technology and in other ways. I'm going to be very real right now and let you in on a secret. Most of your friends and colleagues are not doing much to stand out - that's why it's called standing out. Standing out is easy, but it takes effort doing things that most would consider "work." It's easy because all it takes is effort. It's the effort that most people aren't doing because it doesn't pay you anything. You see, the trick is to do stuff, for free, because mostly everyone else is watching TV or going to the beach or sitting on the floor or... (insert thing that doesn't sound like work). Volunteering, emailing practice owners for an informational interview, connecting with people on Twitter, and blogging. These are all elements that would be considered work to most people and don't pay you anything, but they LEAD to getting what you want, doing things you want to do,and creating opportunities for yourself.
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Standing out blogging Blogging is the most simple form of doing work that will stand out. I see people writing blogs about their experience as a student, or doing travel therapy, or working with athletes, and I'm sure you've seen them too. Bloggers are no different than you. In fact, they are you, just with a different name...and a blog. You are an expert at something. You are an expert at going from an SPT to a DPT. You are an expert at passing exams in PT school. You are an expert at learning how to get better at orthopedics. You are at least proficient at something. Start writing about it. Build yourself a platform to bring your uniqueness (in this case, as a physical therapist) to the world. If a practice owner sees that you have a blog, you are 10x more valuable than the next guy who doesn't because usually, they don't have any idea how easy it is to do blog, and you seem like some super genius. The simplest way to get started blogging is to sign up for Medium or LinkedIn. The only downside to these two platforms is that you don't necessarily "own" your content. The platform owns it. The other ways to start a blog are through Blogger, WordPress, Squarespace, or Tumblr. Each platform can be covered in detail which I will do in another ebook ( I know, that's a common theme). The important part is that you start now (another common theme). Start writing even if you are terrible at it. I used to be a terrible writer, and maybe I'm marginally better now. But people still seem to read and listen to what I have to say, and I get more comfortable with writing every time I put a pen to the page or my fingers to the keyboard. You will start to pick up on the nuances of writing and blogging and get better and better as time goes on. Writing is a skill like A/P glides of the humerus or transverse process palpations. I went on a rant there but Let's tie this all back to getting a job. If you have a blog and show employers how awesome you are because you "get the internet" and "work hard" and "are an expert" then you are 10x more likely to land any job. Your writing is your asset, and it's free to create! All it takes is your effort.
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Job Search How to find jobs Your job search can take many forms. It can range from searching websites to jobs reaching out and finding you, to utilizing your clinical rotations or your network. Can you guess where the best place to start your job search is? If you guessed through your clinical rotations and your network you guessed right! Your personal and professional networks will give you a leg up in the form of a reference and referral. It may be that foot in the door you need as a new grad to land the job you want. Your clinical rotations are in themselves an on the job interview. The clinics you did rotations at will also get the benefit of an employee who is already up to speed with their EMR and processes if they hire you as well (a large cost saving for them). If you didn't particularly enjoy your clinical rotations, or there are no open opportunities, or if you don't yet have the network, the next best place to start is online. Many platforms out there allow you to upload your resume, and most will have your inbox flooded with recruiter emails and your phones ringing off the hook moments after you click submit. LinkedIn and CovalentCareers have built in ways to combat recruiter spam through providing the job seeker control over who can contact them.
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Common Mistakes This section contributed by Meredith Victor PT, DPT and Melissa Totah LPC, NCC
There are 3 common mistakes or pitfalls that cause physical therapist to struggle finding a job. No matter how awesome you are, don’t forget that, during the job application process, you’re initially just some some words on a piece of paper. That can work for you, or against you. Learn from these common mistakes, and improve your chances of success. 1. Having “Confidence Issues” The reason this section is called “confidence issues” is that being over-confident or under-confident can really hurt new grads during the job searching process. Lack of Confidence: As a new grad, poor confidence will come across in your resume and cover letter, as well as during the job application process. New grads will commonly downplay their experience level, failing to highlight clinical and internship experience on their resumes. Sometimes they won’t realize that non-clinical job experience is also applicable. Say you worked at as a server during undergrad. Managing the tables and providing excellent services doesn’t sound too different from managing a complex caseload!
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Common Mistakes This section contributed by Meredith Victor PT, DPT and Melissa Totah LPC, NCC
Over-Confidence: Some DPT programs teach students to be extremely confident in their abilities as new graduates, since they offer some of the the most recent evidence-backed education around. There is certainly some truth there, and graduates have much to feel proud of. However, experience provides much of what the most skilled physical therapists know about diagnostics, prescriptive exercise and manual skills. Some clinics do not appreciate a newly minted PT sashaying into the interview process, writing “Dr.” this and “Doctor” that and boasting of being a “Doctor of Physical Therapy,” especially if the team consists of highly trained clinicians who happen to not have doctorates. At the same time, clinics like Gaspar Doctors of Physical Therapy are working to establish an image of an accomplished team of doctorate-level clinicians. They would surely love an applicant to confidently call him/herself doctor. Know your audience when submitting applications. If you feel like you may come across as arrogant in your interviews, practice interview questions with a friend you trust to see how you come across.
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Common Mistakes This section contributed by Meredith Victor PT, DPT and Melissa Totah LPC, NCC
2. Failing to Tailor Your Job Application to a Specific Job Remember, it’s not all about you! The clinic/hospital/organization in question also has needs, and they’re concerned about hiring the right candidate for the job. Top priorities of hiring organizations will vary. In larger hospitals and corporations, you may be one of many benefitted therapists in a large staff, and there is often an extended period of paid orientation and training involved. From their perspective, they will want you to be affordable, competent, and around for the long haul, after all the training and expenses involved with your on-boarding process. Emphasize your commitment to an employer in your cover letter and play up job experience with multiple years. Pay attention to cues in the job posting. Does a company say they are looking for someone “available as soon as possible”? If you’re open to starting work quickly, make sure to mention that in your cover letter.
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Common Mistakes This section contributed by Meredith Victor PT, DPT and Melissa Totah LPC, NCC
3. Failing to Network Properly Totah reports that as many as 80% of jobs are obtained through networking. With the advent of social media, connecting to peers and coworkers has never been easier. LinkedIn and Facebook can provide avenues to share articles about physical therapy. If you’re hoping to land a job at a large hospital system, sharing news from their website via LinkedIn is a way to have evidence of your interest of them convey itself when the HR rep inevitably cyberstalks you! Learn how to leverage each social media platform. Amy Wolfgang, career coach, shares a few LinkedIn career tips in this fantastic article. When someone asks you to be a reference for them, how do you feel? Assuming you like the person, you’re probably flattered and eager to help out! Why should it be any different for you? Stop thinking of using networking connections as bothering people or being a nuisance. You would do the same for them, and you probably will one day. Set aside your self doubt and start contacting people you met through clinicals, internships parents’ friends and religious organizations. You never know who needs a new PT, or who knows a clinic owner who needs coverage. Have you heard of an informational interview? If not, consider taking out an associate or mentor that you admire. Even if you have never met the person, if you see that they have your dream job, they’re someone you need to know. Offer to buy them lunch somewhere nice and pick their brain about how they got where they are. Chances are, they’ll dig you and keep in touch. You never know where that will lead!
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Advice From Hiring Managers ACUTE CARE Advice from Vonnie Commbs, Director or Rehab at Scripps Mercy Hospital
Preference is given to those new grads that have had exposure and experience in an acute care setting during one of the clinicals. Because our hospital is an accredited Trauma 1 and a Stroke 1 facility, it is much desired that a new grad have a basic understanding of what goes on inside a hospital. Having a thoughtful cover letter also goes a long way. In writing a cover letter, make sure to give specifics about the position that you are applying to, expressing your passion and desire to work in that. During the interview, show your passion for treating patients. Sell the manager on you being the best person for that position because of your care for patients, your desire to learn, your excitement about being a part of the Rehab team. I’ve interviewed candidates who made statements about maybe trying this particular branch of PT for a while with no commitment or excitement for that position – Red Flag! I can appreciate new grads coming out of PT school with so much debt and needing to get a job as soon as possible. But don’t let that desperation come across during an interview. Make sure if you are applying to a position and going as far as an interview that this is truly a position that you are interested in working in and are committed to giving your all. This will come across loud and clear! Outpatient Private Practice - Advice from Keith Mahler, PT, MPT, CEAS, CCI - Private practice owner My advice to you as a new physical therapist? Think like a business owner when you’re applying for a job. What value are you to the employer? Simply put, your employer is hoping you add to the bottom line, both long term and short term. While any boss longs for the perfect blend of creativity, intelligence and congeniality, at the end of the day, I have a clinic to run, bills to pay and patients to keep happy. In a word, I need you to be hardworking. The “treat and go home” mentality simply won’t fit my small business.
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Advice From Hiring Managers Outpatient Private Practice Advice from Keith Mahler, PT, MPT, CEAS, CCI - Private practice owner
I run a small outpatient orthopedic clinic in San Diego. I pride my clinic on providing exceptional patient care, a quiet and friendly workspace, and a close-knit staff of trusted employees. It has taken some time to build the right team. During the 12 years of running clinics, I have seen my share of employees. While all of them have their strengths, many have not lasted because it simply was not a good fit. The ones who have stuck around are willing to work, both in the clinic and out of the clinic, and they have reaped the benefits. Do you know how much it costs, per hour, to add a physical therapist to a clinic? This is just a partial list of the costs incurred by your employer: base salary health insurance increased liability insurance taxes social security worker’s comp vacation coverage 401k increased support staff documentation charges‌ That means whatever I offer you as compensation has a nice chunk of extra cost to my clinic added on top. When hiring, I factor in 1.6x your base salary as a true cost to me. Therefore, a therapist wanting a salary of $35/hour would cost me $56/hour. The average therapist is rarely 100% productive in a practice. Therapist productivity rates typically vary from 66 to 80%, due to normal ebbing and flowing of patient load, cancellations, etc. The money lost through unproductive time, along with declining reimbursement rates, often leaves very little profit for the clinic. By bringing you on board, I believe I am investing in both the clinic, as well as investing in YOU. For that reason, I expect you will do your part to make sure that it was a wise investment for both the employer and the employee.
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Advice From Hiring Managers Outpatient Private Practice Advice from Keith Mahler, PT, MPT, CEAS, CCI - Private practice owner
That said, here are the top traits I look for in a new graduate PT: 1. Efficient Use of Time: Are you the type to whip out your cellphone at the first sign of a patient cancellation? It may seem silly. It’s only a few seconds. Are you all about chatting with the office staff, rather than working on your paperwork? This type of behavior speaks volumes as to how much effort you are willing to give to your employer and hone your skills. Please don’t come to me later, asking for extra charting time. If you’re booked solid and treating til the end of your day, of course you can have time for paperwork. But if you’ve got gaping holes in your schedule, I would expect you can finish your paperwork. Alternatively if you are caught up, there is plenty to learn. Please work on something that will further your growth, or the clinic’s growth. 2. Willingness/Ability to Market: This does not mean I expect you to fill every empty hour by awkwardly dropping into doctors’ offices and leaving business cards with unfriendly receptionists. I find marketing to the public far more effective than cold calling a doctor. If you’re a yoga teacher, and a person is in distress, send them to the clinic. If you’re a social butterfly, and you see someone on crutches, go talk to him or her. Do you play on a softball team? I’d be happy to sponsor your team if you’re willing to bring those weekend warriors in for treatment at my clinic. Think of marketing as your unemployment insurance. If this is not your cup of tea, you may do better in a large, hospital-based institution. As I mentioned earlier, the treat and go home philosophy won’t work in the private sector. I like to say, “if you treat and go home, you might as well just go home”.
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Advice From Hiring Managers Outpatient Private Practice Advice from Keith Mahler, PT, MPT, CEAS, CCI - Private practice owner
3. Evidence-Based: I am proud to treat patients using evidence-backed techniques. But I’ve been out of school for almost 15 years. I do keep up with literature, and participate in research. I enjoy listening to what is being taught in the schools. As new graduates, you have a lot to offer to an existing practice. Your didactic knowledge is current, and I am eager to learn from you, just as much as you likely wish to learn from me. I expect that I, and all my employees, perform regular inservices. 4. Willingness to Treat: Even if your clinicals consisted of you spending 15 minutes with your patient and then passing them off to a tech for HUS (hotpack, ultrasound, stim), that’s not how we operate, and there are questions regarding the legalities, when it comes to medicare. I learned some helpful lessons from physicians, who often dedicate a scribe to help with the documentation. Note-taking is not direct patient care, which means that using support staff to help does not subject you to loss of your license. You just review the documentation, make necessary corrections and sign. By this point, you may be wondering, “What’s in it for me?” I expect a lot from my employees. But in return, they receive excellent benefits, a generous cont-ed package, fun team outings, a genuinely caring and understanding employer, a warm family environment, and limitless growth opportunities. I will invest in you if you invest in me. Remember, net worth rarely comes from wages, and net worth is not self worth.
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Negotiating Salary You should have a better idea of what hiring managers are looking for and with that knowledge you can now negotiate from a more educated position. There are 2 very important points to consider when it comes to negotiations
1. Everything is negotiable 2. You decide what you are worth Those two points are critical. If you receive an offer that is not inline with what you want and after negotiating you and the employer do not come to an agreement that you feel provides you with the value you are worth, then it may not be the right opportunity for you. Now - Here’s how negotiations are done. As a physical therapist there are a few things you need to consider when going into a negotiation. 1. Does the employer have a high-demand practice? a. If so, they will likely have more negotiating power than you because they have an inbox full of qualified applicants. In this scenario, you can negotiate for increases in salary based on performance or over time. If you are the best candidate for the job then employers will likely be willing to negotiate on these terms. b. If the practice is not high-demand, their immediate need for an employee will afford you more flexibility to negotiate. The truth is both vacancy and turnover are expensive. I recommend learning more about vacancy and turnover costs so you are more prepared for a salary discussion, but essentially you can think about vacancy cost like this: i. If a PT appointment costs $120 and a physical therapist sees 10 patients a day, then the PT generates $1,200 / day in revenue. Although there are expenses to consider, that is $1,200 of top line revenue lost every day there is a PT vacancy assuming the practice has the patients to fill the PTs schedule.
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Negotiating Salary 2. Is the employer an institution, or do they function privately? a. Institutions (like large hospitals) may have salary tiers and rules. If this is the case, begin the negotiations with benefits. Ask for relocation assistance, increase in PTO days, sign on bonus, retention bonus, etc… Hiring managers typically have flexibility to negotiate with you on benefits, so make sure to ask for what you want. b. Private practices can negotiate on anything with no “red tape”. Ask for what you are looking for and provide reasoning behind it. If you go into a negotiation armed with data ( a business plan that shows how you will make the practice more money), it’s much easier to convince the employer to give you more money.
Key Lesson - Always ask for what you want within the reasonable upper limits of negotiations.
Asking for what you want however does not mean asking for $150,000. It has to be with reason and make sense for both you and the employer. The more you can learn about the monetary value a physical therapist can bring to the facility you are negotiating with, the better you can figure out the upper limits to negotiate within.
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Transitioning Into Your First Job Real quick, 3 things which you NEED to remember when transitioning into your first job:
1. You have the foundational knowledge to get through any evaluation, provide a basic
HEP, and then look up the diagnosis, ask your peers, or in some way learn more about the patient and what works for their presentation and come up with a plan.
2. You will learn and improve over time. You will become more knowledgeable and
your skills will improve over time. Remember back to your first day of clinicals, and then remember your last day. I bet you felt a lot more confident treating your patients on the last day then you did on the first. That is the case with your career as well, just you will become “more comfortable” for the next 5 years, not just a few months - so be patient, and enjoy the journey of growth which you have embarked on.
3. You will develop a routine over time. Again, remember your first day of school,
how you were nervous and didn’t know what to expect. Then remember how you felt 3-6 months in. You survived those first weeks / months of being nervous and feeling uncomfortable and then developed a nice routine. You have been transitioning from this thing to that thing to another thing all your life. Your first physical therapy job is no different. It’s a process. Embrace it, enjoy it, and you will have a happy and successful career.
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