Continuing Education

One area that isn’t discussed much in school or with new graduates is the importance of continued learning.

I get it—you’re a new graduate, feeling on top of the world. You just earned your doctorate after three years of grinding through coursework, passed your board exam, and you’re ready to start your career. Having confidence in yourself is great, but be warned: this is just the beginning!

School Is Just the Foundation

What many students don’t realize is that school provides only the bare bones of education needed to prepare for the real world. In school, you were exposed to various types of physical therapy—acute, subacute, outpatient, neuro, pediatrics, etc.

First off, good luck remembering everything you learned. Your professors weren’t lying when they said that if you don’t continuously use and practice these skills, you’ll lose them. I was once in your shoes, thinking, “I’m going to remember everything I learned in PT school, no matter where my career takes me!” Yet, here I am almost 10 years into my career, and I couldn’t tell you much about hospital settings or pediatrics, and my neuro knowledge is minimal.

Even when you specialize, there will still be a lot to learn once you start working. For example, I chose to pursue outpatient orthopedics, had three clinical rotations in that setting, and it still took me over three years to feel somewhat comfortable with what I was doing daily. This is a consistent theme I’ve noticed with new clinicians.

Embrace Growth and Learning

If you want to keep growing and improving, accept that you won’t know everything right away and that you need to continually learn and evolve.

The Role of Continuing Education

Continuing education is essential for personal and professional growth. I highly encourage you to start thinking about courses that could benefit you. Ask colleagues what courses they found valuable, and explore topics that interest you. The more courses you take, the more knowledge you’ll gain!

Most states require a certain number of continuing education hours or Continuing Education Units (CEUs) to maintain your license every two years. Be proactive and seek out courses that will help you advance your career while fulfilling these requirements.

Here are a few things to consider when selecting courses:

• CEUs: Most courses have a designated number of CEUs, which is important for tracking your progress.

• Learning style: Think about what learning format works best for you. There are many online platforms, such as MedBridge, that offer flexible, high-quality content. Additionally, look for in-person courses in your area—many companies host public continuing education events locally.

Final Thoughts

If you want to be successful in both your life and career, continued growth and learning are non-negotiable. Seek out opportunities within the physical therapy industry that will keep you learning, growing, and moving forward. Continuing education isn’t just a requirement—it’s a vital tool for building a successful, fulfilling career.