Do you feel you have more to give but the environment you are working in is holding you back?

I bet you got into physio because you want to help people, right?

You might dream of working in a certain role in the NHS, private practice or even sport…

But whatever your dream role is, at the heart of it is being good at what you do and helping the people you work with.

I honesty think we have the best job in the world.

Being in a position to help others out of pain to do the things they want to do can feel like a privilege.

But it can also be one of the most lonely and frustrating jobs in the world when things are not going well…

And you are not able to help your patients in the way and to the standard that you would like.

As I right this post I have just jumped off the phone speaking to two therapists, both new grads, at different ends of the country, working in completely different areas of physio…

But with ultimately the same problem. 

Which way next?

They are both at a crossroads in their careers, and both were looking for support and advice as to the best next step to take next to progress their careers.

One feels like she is not getting the help and support from the senior staff at her place of work, a private practice clinic, that she needs to be successful in her current role.

The other an NHS physio and part-time rugby physio is unsure how to make the transition into sport full-time, his goal, and the main reason he pursued physio as profession in the first place.

Their question…

What should I do?

I couldn’t possibly detail everything we went through on those two 30 minute calls…

But what I can say is that we ended the calls with some real clarity about what they need to do next.

The next steps they need to take to move towards their goals.

Both these therapists booked these calls as part of the 1-1 support they get access to as a member of my New Grad Physio Membership.

The main reason I first started wanting to helping new grads, and then set up the membership, is because I know how tough it can be transitioning out of Uni and into the real world.

You lose your student tag and often might feel you have the weight of the world on your shoulders.

Patients have waited weeks and weeks on a waiting list to see you…

Or are paying £60-£70 a session for you to fix them.

Maybe you work in sport and the player (and the manager) wants you to get them back on the pitch asap.

Then there’s the pressure from your boss to see a certain number of patients or discharge them in a set number of sessions…

Squeeze in all the admin that you somehow need to find the time to do alongside seeing your patients…

Keep to time so you are not late starting your next appointment…

And do all this with a smile on your face!

This is the real life day-day as a physio.

And the worst part of it is…

Your patients and players do not care that you have just qualified.

They still want the same level of care and expertise as a physio that has 10 years on you.

And this is just the clinical stuff!

What about the time and effort needed to keep on top of your CV, look and apply for jobs or prepare for an interview!

Some therapists thrive as a new grad, whilst others struggle just to survive.

Which one do you feel like right now?

If you flying, well done and keep it up!

If you feel like you could do with some help then reach out.

You do not have to do it all on your own.

Get the specific help and support you need to get working towards your own ‘dream job.’

Or indeed help with any other career or clinical challenge you are facing right now.

Head here and fill in the short form, tell me what you need help with and I’ll get right back to you with some advice.

Have a great week!

Andy 

The New Grad Physio Mentor

PS. The best thing I did as a new grad physio, and continue to do as a so-called ‘experienced’ physio is to ask for help.

No one knows everything and there is always someone better placed than you to advice you what to do next.

Want some help?

Head here, get in touch and I’ll get right back with some help.