Take Time to Settle

One of the most valuable lessons I learned early in my career is the importance of giving yourself time to settle. This is a piece of advice I frequently share with students, new graduates, and younger clinicians.

You’ve just conquered the challenges of physical therapy school, worked tirelessly to earn your doctorate, and then poured all your time and energy into passing your board exam. Phew, you made it! So… what now?

I highly encourage any physical therapist at this stage to take time to settle into their career. There is a significant difference between what you learn in school and the lifestyle you experience during clinicals compared to working in the real world. It takes time to adjust to new colleagues, newfound independence, unfamiliar diagnoses, and the unique environment of your clinic. With so much change happening at once, this period can be one of immense personal and professional growth.

Focus on making the most of it.

Avoid Overloading Yourself Too Soon

Starting your first job can be overwhelming. You’re learning the ins and outs of the organization, building relationships with your team, and adapting to the day-to-day demands of patient care. Adding continuing education courses or other external commitments during this adjustment period is doable, but it can stretch you thin and make it harder to maintain a healthy lifestyle outside the clinic.

Instead, I strongly recommend taking the time to settle into your role before diving into additional responsibilities. This approach allows you to master the core skills needed to thrive in your current position without burning out. Once you feel more comfortable and confident in your day-to-day work, you can start exploring new opportunities with a solid foundation.

My Personal Experience

For me, it took about three years to feel fully settled in outpatient orthopedics. By that point, I felt confident in my skills and comfortable with my recommendations. Only then did I pursue my manual therapy certification, which took another three years to complete. I’ve mentored several younger clinicians who hit the 2.5-year mark in their careers and echoed similar sentiments—they finally felt ready to take on new challenges.

A General Blueprint

While there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to career progression, here’s a general blueprint to help you thrive:

1. Spend 2-2.5 years mastering your current role. Use this time to build trust with your team, hone your clinical skills, and establish a stable routine.

2. Once settled, seek out new opportunities that align with your career goals—whether that’s pursuing a specialization, certification, or leadership role.

Final Thoughts

There’s no right or wrong path when it comes to your career. However, taking time to settle can help you build a strong foundation, grow as an individual, and establish trust with your team and employers. Once you feel ready, you’ll be in a great position to pursue the next big step with confidence.

Remember, success isn’t a race—it’s a journey. Take the time to settle, grow, and thrive before asking yourself, “What’s next?”