Travel Jobs & Compromise

Want to be a Travel Physical Therapist as a New Grad?

Tip #1 - Decide what you are and are not willing to compromise on.
     There are a wide variety of opportunities with travel companies and you will see jobs in amazing, desirable locations advertised on any travel company website.  Here's the one thing a not-so-good company might not tell you about - a lot of employers don't want a new grad.
      Don't be scared! I know this is frustrating - why did you spend X$ to be a Doctor just to be told you aren't trained enough?  Well, a travel therapist has to be able to "hit the ground running" so to speak, and placements are worried about a new grads ability to do this (see upcoming post on preparing for travel PT: diversify your clinical experiences!) The good news is, as soon as you've completed your first job, you lose the "new grad" label and everything becomes much easier.
      So this is why this first post is about compromise.  Think about your goals and what you are, and are not willing to do for a short 13 weeks in order to get where you want to be (a rockin travel PT!).  You might end up taking a first placement that isn't in your ideal location, or ideal setting, just to get your feet wet and to start to establish a track record.  And you might surprise yourself by loving it!

Here are some questions to think about:
Are you willing to work in a SNF?  Home Health?  Acute?  Outpatient?
Are you willing to work in an urban, suburban, or rural setting?
Do you have dependents or family that you need to be close to, or are you willing to go anywhere?

     A larger company will have a wider variety of placements, but overall the majority of PT jobs (in general!) are in geriatrics so you have to be prepared for that.  My advice? Be flexible for your first assignment.  Be picky once you have some experience and know what you want to do.  I know I want to end up working in outpatient orthopedics, but I decided that I was willing to compromise on my first placement because I wanted to work as soon as possible, because I enjoy treating a wide variety of patients in a wide variety of settings, and honestly because the Director of this particular rehab center was so super nice!  (However, I personally drew the line at Home Health - for the safety of myself and my patients, I really felt this was pushing it for a new grad with no experience in this area.)
     And remember - this is your life and your career.  Even when you are being flexible, don't be a push over.  You not only need to know what you are willing to compromise on, but also what you are NOT willing to compromise on.  A good recruiter will respect that.

"Minds are like parachutes. They only function when they are open."
-Sir Dewar