To: The person who just finished taking the NPTE
…Life-Changing Lessons I’ve Learned as a New Grad Physical Therapist
Hello friends!! Long time, no blog post. It’s been a little over a year since I’ve published a blog post. I have been quite busy in the past months. Most of my time has been spent acclimating to my NEW job as a physical therapist. After graduating from PT school and passing the board exam last August, I landed my first real “big girl” job at an outpatient orthopedic clinic in my hometown. As of this month, I have been working for six months, which is surreal to think about. Without further ado, here’s what I have learned so far…
…Five Pants You’ll Want to Wear in the Clinic
Many outpatient healthcare clinics uphold a “business casual” or “professional” dress code. While tops can range from collared shirts + polos to nice blouses with a “modest neckline,” women’s pants options can feel limited. Business slacks can feel too fancy for kettlebell squat demonstrations, and khakis take you back to elementary school days. Lucky for you, I have found some pants that have both the contemporary style and comfort level to suit your daily work activities.
…25 Lessons I Learned at 25
Turning 25 was a formative year for me. I wouldn’t say it was the best year of my life, but there were many memorable experiences from which I gleaned bits of wisdom.
…Ten Amazing Amazon Purchases that Changed My Life
I watch a lot of YouTube videos, and one of the trends is sharing their favorite purchases from Amazon. I don’t know why I find these types of videos fascinating, but I’m always looking for more practical items to make my life so much easier. Whether you’re looking for a last-minute gift or just curious to see what I’m loving and using on a daily basis, keep reading. If you’re interested in purchasing any of these products, click on the image.
…3 Easy Ways to Organize Your School Notes
Organization and order are things everyone needs in their life. As a physical therapy student, I have accumulated many papers – printed syllabi, research articles, handy graphs + tables, my one-of-a-kind study guides, and the growing stack continues. Organized notes help me understand different PT topics as they build on each other (e.g. In the pediatrics course, we learned about Down Syndrome and hypotonia before having the lab about treating patients with low tone.). Plus, keeping my notes in chronological order brings order to my brain. When you have a system for your notes, you create a filing system for your mind, which can help retrieve a specific piece of information during an exam.
Today, I will be sharing with you 3 organization systems I used during my last didactic semester as well as the entirety of my didactic time in PT school.
…The Best Professional PT Lookbook
One thing I did not think about when I started PT school is DRESS CODE. During orientation, my program went over what’s appropriate for class (i.e. Don’t look like you just woke up or have a hangover. Be presentable.). Fortunately, my program allows us to wear athleisure to not only labs but also in-class lectures. Otherwise, I wear scrubs for clinic days and a PT department polo paired with khakis for guest speakers or professional events. Considering I bike to school, the dress code is convenient for me.
Several months ago, I asked PT students on my Instagram story if they are required to wear professional attire. [Thank you, everyone, who did respond.] While most responded with “no,” there are some PT programs that are required to dress professionally primarily during in-class lectures. To the few of you responded “yes,” I messaged them directly to ask more specific questions:
- Does your program’s dress code have rules against particular items of clothing (ex. T-shirts, open-toe shoes, skirt lengths)?
- Rules can vary across all programs. No denim. Open-toed shoes must have a back. No logos on clothing. Skirts need to be reasonable (at knee) length. No spaghetti straps. T-shirts need to be a solid color.
- Do you find it inconvenient if you have to bring athletic clothes for lab days?
- Some see it as a hassle to bring an additional outfit to school and dress in the middle of the day.
- Do you feel restricted of movement/uncomfortable in class because of the professional dress code?
The answer to that last question? It depends! [Every PT’s favorite answer.] I would have to agree, which is why I have created professional, school-appropriate looks that I find to be fashionable with sacrificing comfort.
Note: I may make a small commission from some of the links below. Please consider supporting your fellow content creator by using their links below.
Look #1: Political Powerhouse
2019 Texas Legislative Day: The day we went to the capital to talk to our state legislators about Direct Access for physical therapists. Yes, I walked around in heels all-day, but if you prefer black flats, that works too.
Blazer: H & M
Dress: H & M (alternative option)
Black Tights: Target
Heels: DSW
Look #2: Classic Clinical Khakis
I was invited to be a part of a speaker panel for the Alpha Eta Alpha Pre-Health Society at the University of Houston. This is the typical attire for student observers and working in the outpatient setting. The key is to find khakis that are comfortable. If you can squat in them, and there’s no buttock cracks or rips in the fabric, you’re good to go!
Polo: I purchased mine from my school’s fundraiser, but here’s an alternative option from Amazon. This is Dri-fit, which is comes in handy if you end up working a sweat.
Khakis: Old Navy
Shoes (not seen): It changes with my mood and style. I recommend
- Sperry’s/loafers
- BANGS Shoes
- Crocs sneakers
- or any walking or lifestyle shoe
Look #3: The Interesting Interview
We all get nervous during interviews, so ease your comfort by wearing clothes that are also comfy. I called this look interesting because the blouse is the softest, white + black plaid shirt. You don’t have to wear the crisp white button up to look professional. Also, the pants don’t have to be slacks, you can pull off stretchy, legging-like business pants as professional.
Blazer: same one from Look #1
Plaid: Old Navy (alternative option)
Pants: You can find them at any department store (TJ Maxx, Marshalls), but here’s an option from Macy’s.
Shoes: These shoes are second hand, but these are my favorite black flats from DSW.
While interviewing students, one mentioned the benefit of having a professional dress code, which is building up your personal professional wardrobe. I think that’s why schools instill professional dress codes in the first place – you can still wear the clothes when you become a physical therapist. Even if you chose to work at a clinic that makes you wear scrubs, professional attire can be worn at work conventions or different volunteer opportunities. Also, you may have noticed that I reuse certain articles of clothing throughout the different looks. Items such as a black blazer, khakis, and button-up top are truly essential to any closet and professional wardrobe.
While I like to preach on sustainable and ethical fashion choices, I also understand that not everyone has that kind of budget to make investments. I encourage you to find secondhand options at your local thrift store, online consignment shops (ThredUp, Poshmark, etc.), or your friends + family. Additionally, brands like Athleta, Allbirds, Eileen Fisher, and Patagonia are considered certified B corporations that provide apparel + footwear for any PT while working towards sustainability.
I hope you find outfit inspiration or a new addition to your professional wardrobe. I intend to make more lookbooks in the future. As always, you can find more fashionable looks on my Pinterest page and follow me on my journey #forthedpt via Instagram.
Sincerely,
Jordaine Enriquez, SPT
Dear Physical Therapists: You Are Creative!
Yes, you read that correctly. I believe creativity is the soft skill that all physical therapists have and need to be successful clinicians. If you’re telling yourself, “I don’t have a creative bone in my body,” allow me to change your mind.
…5 Free Resources for Physical Therapists
I don’t know about you, but I LOVE free things. I also LOVE being a resource to physical therapy students [more on that later]. During my time as a PT student, I have come across websites, articles, and videos through simple Google searching and classmates sharing their findings. The one thing these resources have in common is that they will help you become the best clinician you can be.
…Ten Things I Love about PT School
Now that I have completed my didactic portion of PT school, the only thing standing between me and getting my DPT are two clinical rotations. With the semester coming to an end, I thought about what I love about my school and just being in a Traditional DPT program in general. In no particular order, here’s the list of my favorite things about PT school:
…Common Fears in PT School (and how to get over them)
Physical therapy school can be scary. You’re in a new chapter of your life, which means there’s plenty of uncertainty that’s pulling you out of our comfort zone. Feelings of nervousness, anxiety, doubt, and worry are completely normal when you begin PT school. However, most of the class tries to put on a brave face, so it could make us feel like we’re the only one who feels that way. If you’re a first-year PT student, have no fear! I’m here to tell you some of the common fears I had in PT school and what you can do to address those fears.
…Health Insurance: What Students Don’t Talk About
Quick Disclaimer: While researching for this post, I realize that the ability to have healthcare coverage is still a privilege. The intent of this post is for educational purposes as well as an additional resource to the reader. I am only speaking from my experiences, which is my upbringing in a middle-class lifestyle. It should also be said that I am very grateful for my hard-working parents who made multiple sacrifices to financially support me.
A few months ago, a follower messaged me on Instagram asking me about my medical insurance plan. I never expected such a question, but they had every right to ask. Both of our institutions, along with 99% of the followers who participated in my poll, require students to have medical insurance on file. This is because of the Affordable Care Act and state laws requiring students at health institutions to be medically insured.
For myself and others who attend grad school straight out of undergrad, they are able to rely on a parent’s health insurance plan. However, because I chose to take a 9-month hiatus, I turned 26 prior to job acquisition, meaning I will no longer be covered by my parents. If you a) decide to take a gap year [or two] or b) never had medical coverage prior to pursuing higher education, you will have to purchase a health coverage plan. As soon as I learned that I was going to be kicked out of my family’s insurance plan, I really wished I had someone to guide me in finding a health coverage plan that works for me [Adulting is hard.], so here are some things to know when it comes to finding the best plan for you.
…20+ Gifts for Student Physical Therapists: 2020 Guide
There’s probably other guides out there, but as an SPT myself, there’s just some things I wish my family + friends would give me instead of clothes that don’t fit me or a gift I won’t use. I’m here to give you the REAL things PT students want. I even included small businesses and sustainable options. I’ll even sort them out by value for those trying to save some coin.
…Advice for Restart Students
Going back to school can be difficult. Restarting school is common, so know you’re not alone. As someone who have been in your shoes, I wish someone had told me these things. Here’s some pointers you should know when you in Round 2 of school:
…How to Prepare for PT School
Whether you’re just starting your first year or heading into your final year of PT school, we have to bring our minds into the right headspace to study. During the break, we make the most of it by spending time with family + friends, travel the world (or in this case locally with face masks on), and catch up on medical appointments. In this post, I’m going to share 5 things you can do before your first day of the semester, so you can set yourself up for success!! I personally use these tips myself, and I thought I would share them with you.
…Reflections from My Second Year of PT School
Now that I have completed the summer semester do-over, there’s things I have learned quite a bit about myself and what it takes to be a successful student (and eventually a better PT).
…Managing Study Productivity in PT School
In May, I made a post on Instagram about my struggles with productivity, which in my terms is spending time accomplishing important tasks – like studying. At the beginning of this summer semester, I studied at least 10 hours per week. Now that I’m 2 weeks away from being a 3rd year DPT student, I’m pretty sure I study less than that. When taking classes in university, the rule of thumb is 2 hours of studying for 1 hour of lecture. In PT school, there’s NO way to abide by this ideal rule and fit in time to exercise, socialize, and practice self-care.
…4 Study Strategies for the Struggling PT Student
In my first two years of PT school, I would “study” for hours on end, only to get a C on the exam. Sound familiar? Then, I would spend the rest of the semester working twice as hard just to barely cross the borderline and get my grade to a B. There’s a saying that goes around in PT school: “B’s make PTs.” Every student wants to strive for an A [Even I have some A’s in PT school.], but it’s nice to know that B’s are okay too. I knew the study methods I used in undergrad would not work in PT school, but how I was studying in PT school was not conducive. If you are struggling to stay afloat in yout PT courses like me, here are some strategies I have implemented.
…Novice vs Experienced Runners: A Comparison Based on Evidence
This blog post serves as my submission for the Running Assignment in the course Advanced Orthotics and Prosthetics.
…Reflections 1 Month back in PT School
It’s been a little over a month since I’ve been back in PT school, so I thought I would share some reflections:
…My PT Identity + Mission
In my program, the third-year students wrap up the end of didactics by giving a speech about how they discovered physical therapy, what motivates them to keep pursuing the profession, and potential plans after graduation. I’ve already shared a little bit about my background and my PT journey on the blog, but my classmates didn’t know about my blog or the story of how I got here. I also have friends who wish to hear my presentation, so here it is.
…