How to Avoid Burnout as a Travel PT

Travel physical therapy offers unique flexibility and time off compared to traditional PT jobs. Taking a few months off between assignments allows you to recharge and return to work refreshed, making burnout far less common. That said, burnout can still happen if you are in the wrong setting or rushing to adjust to a new assignment. If you are considering travel physical therapy or are on assignment, here are practical ways to prevent burnout and enjoy your career!

1. Choose the Right Patient Load

Patient load plays a huge role in preventing burnout in travel therapy. For outpatient clinics, try to find 1:1 jobs that avoid double booking every hour of the day. The majority of my contracts have been 1:1 outpatient, which has been low stress. Seeing around 12 patients a day is generally manageable in outpatient settings with occasional double booking, but I usually aim for 8–10 patients in an eight-hour day with no double booking. In acute care, a reasonable caseload is about 7–9 patients in an eight-hour day. However, be sure to ask about unit and billing expectations during the interview. Knowing what to expect and setting realistic limits from the start can make your days far less stressful.

2. Give Yourself Time to Adjust

Starting a new travel PT contract involves more than treating patients. You also need to settle into a new home, find a gym, grocery store, and other essentials. The documentation system may feel overwhelming at first if it is unfamiliar, but with repetition it will soon become second nature. Be patient and give yourself time to get acclimated. Even though the onboarding process, including orientation, shadowing, and online modules, may be boring, be grateful for it because you will be hitting the ground running before you know it.

3. Stay Organized

Organization reduces stress significantly as a travel physical therapist. Keep track of receipts (tax home, reimbursements, etc), vaccination records, licenses, and any other documentation you might need. Planning ahead and having everything in order will prevent unnecessary frustration and help you have an on-time start date.

4. Consider Your Commute

Having housing close to work reduces daily stress and leaves more time for personal activities. Ideally, find housing within 30 minutes of your assignment. Personally, most of my contracts have been within 15 minutes of work, which makes a big difference in maintaining work-life balance.

5. Ask Questions and Connect with Other Clinicians

Avoid being the only physical therapist in a clinic if possible. Having colleagues to ask questions and share experiences with can prevent feelings of isolation and provide valuable support. Don’t hesitate to ask plenty of questions while on assignment. It will help you learn faster, work more efficiently, and maximize your confidence.

6. Choose Assignments Thoughtfully

Ultimately, many causes of burnout can be prevented by simply choosing the right assignments. Pay attention during interviews, ask detailed questions about patient load, productivity expectations, documentation systems, and team structure. Knowing what you are getting into will make your experience far more enjoyable.

Conclusion

Travel physical therapy naturally offers more flexibility and time off, which makes burnout less common than in permanent positions. However, the wrong assignment or unrealistic expectations can still lead to stress and burnout. By managing your patient load, staying organized, allowing yourself time to adjust, and building a supportive network of colleagues, you can enjoy a fulfilling travel PT career without burning out. And if you happen to pick the wrong assignment, it only lasts 13 weeks!