Investing in New Athletic Training Graduates Matters to Our Future

Year after year, we hear that new athletic training graduates are not fully prepared for practice. Athletic trainers in the field expect new professionals to be competent, confident, and ready to handle any situation that arises—essentially practice-ready. However, the reality is that many new graduates are not fully competent yet; they are just beginning. Competence in athletic training means the ability to apply knowledge, clinical judgment, skills, and values to care for patients effectively within the scope of practice. Clinical judgment is just one part of being competent—it doesn’t mean someone is fully capable. 

Based on Benner’s Novice to Expert Model, new athletic trainers start as novices, with no professional experience, and progress to becoming proficient, where they recognize key patient issues, apply clinical judgment, and learn to prioritize care (Benner, 2020). True competency is usually reached after two to three years of experience. 

Facilitating Competency in Healthcare and Athletic Settings

After passing the BOC exam, new athletic trainers enter the workforce, where the real work of building competency begins. Those in practice must accept that new graduates will not be fully competent on day one. It is the responsibility of healthcare organizations, sports teams, and other employers to help them get there through comprehensive orientation, residency programs, mentorship, coaching, and structured experiences. 

Employers need to invest in robust preceptor programs that provide structure, resources, and support for new graduates as they develop. Pushing for rapid independence can lead to poor outcomes, including a high turnover rate among new athletic trainers, which mirrors trends seen in other healthcare professions. Offering structured residency programs can lead to lower turnover rates compared to standard orientations (Knighten, 2022).

A Collaborative Effort Between Academia and Practice

Academia alone cannot ensure the competency of new athletic trainers—there must be collaboration between academic programs and practice settings. Organizations that partner with academic institutions to provide students with more clinical experience, under the guidance of experienced preceptors and dual-appointed faculty, have had success in better-preparing graduates and reducing attrition (Kennedy, 2020). While some organizations struggle with the costs of longer, more comprehensive orientation or residency programs, the return on investment is significant. Retaining a new athletic trainer and supporting their growth from beginner to competent professional saves substantial costs in the long term (NSI, 2022).

Investing in New Athletic Trainers is an Investment in the Future

The BOC exam is an important first step toward ensuring new athletic trainers are on their way to competency. However, experienced athletic trainers and employers must change their approach to new graduates. It is crucial to recognize that new athletic trainers are still developing their clinical judgment, and it is up to their colleagues and organizations to facilitate their progression from beginner to competent professional. By investing in new athletic trainers, we are building a future workforce that is capable, confident, and ready to handle any challenge.