Once you graduate from Physical Therapy school, you’ll likely be eager to start work to earn money and apply what you’ve learned in a real-world setting for the past several years. However, thinking about the bigger picture and evaluating your priorities (which should be the NPTE!) is essential before diving into work.

Financial Situation: Work to Pay Debt?

As a new graduate, you have undoubtedly accumulated significant debt from your education, and you may be in a hurry to start earning an income to pay it off. However, it’s essential to be mindful of your timeline. If you decide to take the licensing exam within 1-2 months after graduation, ask yourself whether you can afford to take time away from studying to earn an income in this pressed timeframe. Yet, if you decide to schedule your NPTE for a few months down the line, working while studying may be a more feasible option.

Study Habits and Energy Levels

You have graduated and have had experience in multiple clinics and hopefully different settings; once you start working, it’s a whole new ballgame! You are now held to making your own decisions and do not have someone looking over your shoulder to protect you, like a clinical instructor. Because of this, you will face a new type of exhaustion from mental stimulation, like constantly thinking with clinical reasoning. You’ll need to assess whether you realistically have enough energy and focus to effectively study for the exam after a full day of work consisting of this.

Work Schedule

If you work, you have time taken out of your day from studying. Some questions you need to ask yourself: do you prefer full days to study, couple hours out of the day? Can your employer accommodate this depending on which one you identified as your preference? Can you have 8-hour shifts just a few days of the week? Can you work part-time, five days a week? Consider the job’s demands, such as documentation requirements and commute time, when determining whether you’ll have enough time and energy to study effectively.

Ultimately, there’s no right or wrong answer when deciding whether to work right away or wait until after the licensing exam. It’s a personal decision that depends on your situation and priorities. However, by carefully weighing the pros and cons and considering all the relevant factors, you can make the best decision for you.

If you’d like to learn more about financial strategies, check out the article Financial Strategies for Recent Graduates from the APTA!

When you’re ready to study for the NPTE, visit our course content at www.sptwithme.com