Common Myths About Travel Physical Therapy, Debunked

If you’re considering travel physical therapy, you’ve probably heard a lot of conflicting advice, but it is often from people who have never done travel themselves. Some make it sound intimidating (PT schools!!!), while others make it seem like nonstop fun with big paychecks and flexibility (ME!!!). Understanding the reality of travel physical therapy can help you make informed choices for your career. Let’s break down the most common myths.

Myth 1: "You Need Years of Experience to Do Travel PT"

Many schools and clinicians suggest that new grads should gain experience first. While experience can help, you absolutely can start travel PT as a new grad, but you should definitely look out for your best interests and put yourself in the right situation. This means choosing contracts that fit your skills, asking the right interview questions about patient population, caseload, ramp-up periods, and productivity expectations, and making sure you have support on site. You don’t need formal mentorship, but having other PTs around to ask questions and learn from can make all the difference. After graduating, I started in acute care with a full-time role and then took my first travel contract in outpatient with only outpatient experience from clinical rotations during PT school. It turned out to be completely doable.

Myth 2: "You Will Be Thrown to the Wolves"

Some individuals think travel PT means being left to figure everything out on your own. This is not necessarily true. When I left my outpatient job, I was told that I would be “thrown to the wolves” in travel PT, but it was quite the opposite. I landed a one-on-one outpatient contract with a very supportive ramp-up period. You can find contracts like mine with one-on-one outpatient caseloads, or you can choose settings such as inpatient rehab, home health, acute care, or SNF jobs that offer ramp-up periods and realistic productivity expectations. Think about it—the clinic or facility risks worse patient care and even jeopardizing patient safety if they rush you into a new role. While some places may push you too fast, many facilities are looking out for their business and want you to succeed. Choosing the right contract ensures you are supported as you gain confidence and develop your skills.

Myth 3: "You Will Be Stuck in Rural Areas"

It is a common misconception that travel PT only takes you to remote or undesirable locations. There are plenty of jobs in big cities, although you may need to be flexible with the type of setting. Even if you are not in the most ideal location, travel PT gives you more freedom than a traditional full-time job to explore on weekends, take longer vacations, and experience new places while working. For my rural contracts, I was still within an hour or two of major cities.

Myth 4: "You Will Lack Career Growth"

Some people worry that short-term contracts limit professional development. In reality, travel PT can accelerate growth. You will gain diverse experience with multiple patient populations and settings, learn from a variety of clinicians, and pick up skills you might not encounter in a traditional full-time role. You can complete continuing education opportunities online or in person while on contract just like you would working a full-time job. Travel PT pushes you out of your comfort zone and teaches you how to be more efficient, which is exactly how you grow professionally. I have learned plenty of new exercises and treatment perspectives from clinicians that I hadn’t been exposed to before.

- You don’t grow when you stay comfortable. True learning happens when you push yourself into the uncomfortable.

Myth 5: "Travel PT Isn’t Stable or Secure"

Many worry that travel PT is unstable, with contracts ending unexpectedly or concerns about finding a new assignment and potentially being out of work. However, the travel PT job market has been strong, and many facilities are actively seeking PTs, giving you more negotiating power. Cancellation rates are very low, and if a contract does end early, you should be able to move to another one pretty quickly. Travel PT agencies provide full W2 benefits, including health insurance and retirement options, giving you the security of a traditional job, but with much more flexibility. I’ve done more than 10 contracts and haven’t ever been cancelled or had a contract end early.

Bottom Line

Travel physical therapy can be challenging, especially when you first start, but it is extremely rewarding. It offers the opportunity to grow professionally, gain diverse experience, and explore new locations while maintaining strong benefits and job security. By understanding these myths and doing your own research when selecting contracts, you can confidently take advantage of the unique opportunities travel physical therapy offers.

For another perspective on travel PT myths, including insights from September, check out our earlier post here.