12/03/2025
I appreciate those physical therapists who reached out to me and asked for my professional advice and tips on how to deal with their professional life after passing their Philippine physical therapy board exams.
So, as a physical therapist with more than a decade of experience, and have experiences in different physical therapy settings such as schools, private physical therapy clinics, hospitals, homes for the elderly, community-based, industry, and home-based, Here are my tips for you:
1. It's okay to be feeling broke for 3-4 years after passing the board exam. Your priority here is not to earn a huge amount of money but to acquire advanced training, skills, and higher knowledge. Convert your salary or earnings to knowledge and skills.
2. Find a mentor to guide you and inspire you.
3. Join any medical mission that has physical therapy services or acquire probono cases. You will learn a lot from them.
4. Expand your network and influence.
5. Embrace yourself of the reality. Some of your colleagues will hate you because of your beliefs, way of thinking, ideas, and patient preferences. It's normal. It's called professional rivalry. Although it's a healthy competition others are just insecure. Nevermind them.
6. Learn how to plan and budget your finances.
7. Plan your next goals after 3-4 years. What I am going to do next? Abroad? Pursue my graduate study? Choose my field of interest. Put up my private practice? Etc… Align your daily activities to your goal.
8. Be appreciative of your struggles. Normally, you will experience emotional and compassion fatigue, feelings of dissatisfaction, and self-crisis along the way. It's normal.
9. Do moonlighting. You can do part-time works aside from your major work. Choose a major job that does not require a 5-day, 8am-5pm shift to give way to your other part-time jobs.
10. Be open to new knowledge, suggestions, and new experiences.
GOOD LUCK, YOUNG PHYSICAL THERAPISTS!
