What do our athletic training students think about themselves?

As an athletic trainer at a high school, I sometimes wonder the different goals that our student athletic trainers are trying to pursue/reach while in the athletic training program. On the other hand, I was curious to know how our students viewed their own attitudes and personality traits/characteristics while in the athletic training program. In most athletic training programs, you tend to see a lot of different personality and behavior characteristics, which tend to change over time. This is possibly due to the increased amount of interaction between different individuals, such as other student athletic trainers, athletes, and coaches.

At the beginning of the year, we try to express the different expectations that we have while the students are in the program. Some of the basic expectations that we have but not limited to: positive attitude, being proactive, professional appearance, leadership, punctuality, enthusiasm, and reliability. With that being said, we always found ourselves having meetings with our students because one or more of them were falling short of our expectations.

At the end of football season, I decided to create a self-evaluation document for our students to fill out based on how they felt about themselves. While in college, the athletic training students always had to complete a self-evaluation, so I thought it would be a great idea to modify the questions as it relates to the high school setting. The choices that they were to choose from were: Not yet experienced, Below Average, Average, Above Average, and Excellent.

This was just a completion grade for our students, because it would be inappropriate for them to receive a grade based on how they felt about their own characteristics. Not all students possess the same level of each quality as compared to their peers. As the responses came in, it was interesting to see how the students rated themselves. The students that we believed to be better at certain qualities when compared with their peers were consistent with the self-rated responses. On the flip side, those students that we felt needed to work on some qualities; it was consistent with their responses as well.

Another aspect of the evaluation was to see their goals that they might have set for being in the program. While some responses ranged from meeting people, extra-curricular activity, or feeling important, others wanted to pursue a degree within the health-care profession. Although we understand that not all of our students will continue on to become athletic trainers in college, it is important for us to not only promote the profession, teach them basic athletic training skills, but also teach them lessons about life in general and be their mentor when they need it.

After the evaluation was due, we asked our students thought about the assignment. Some thought it was silly, while others thought it was a good idea. Those who thought it was a good idea realized the areas in which they were weak and took that information and understand the qualities they might be able to work on. Overall, our students enjoyed the self-evaluation idea and would like to continue to evaluate themselves so they can gage their progress while in the athletic training program.

Therefore, with the evaluation being a success, I am able to take the information and help those who may be struggling in certain areas and provide them with some resources to achieve the excellence status.

So the question is…..how would your students rate themselves?

Perception is Reality

I've spoken many times on this blog and elsewhere about the need to brand athletic training.  Being seen as experts in athletic medicine and recognized, every time, as the go-to profession and a requirement when dealing with athletic injuries.

A large part of branding is perception; primarily public perception.  In order to get the recognition we want, we need the public to understand our role.  We have gotten better as a whole about not being foot stompers: demanding people address us "athletic trainer," and respect us for providing health care and not just "coverage" and rather commanding respect and modeling our requested actions.

What I have found, however, is that it only takes one single misstep to lose ground.  One event can alter perception to the point that it erases forward progress and damages an otherwise spotless reputation.

"Perception is reality." And when the perception being distributed to the public are things like these:

Athletic trainers are paid to keep the machine humming. The long-term health of the individual player is not their first concern; the health of the team is. The faster a trainer gets his players back on the field, the more likely he’ll be to keep his job.

The doctors and trainers didn't know McCoy had taken a helmet-to-helmet hit.

The implication that not all athletic trainers are created equal..."professional">high school, etc.

The situation in Cleveland is a difficult one, and I'm sure we've all experienced similar frustration.

Maintaining an united front and combating misconceptions, as the NATA did and continues to do will go a long way to bolster our reputation, but the larger burden falls on us, the clinicians.  We are the ones "in the mission field" on a daily basis and in every encounter with our patient, athletes, parents, etc.  We are all athletic trainers, with a unique skill set and expansive knowledge base.  Take your responsibility to yourself and the profession as a whole seriously.

A Short Soap-Box from a Short Athletic Trainer

I recently left the "traditional" setting of athletic training and took a job as a physician extender in an orthopedics office. I love it so far! I'm learning something new every single day. I have great patients and see something new every 15 minutes. My day is so wonderfully busy and I am so fulfilled by my new job.

I have integrated a pre-op appointment in our office. Its all about patient education and putting the patient's mind at ease. I issue cryotherapy, teach TENS application for post-operative pain, crutch fitting and gait training, and fit for braces. My athletic training education prepared me greatly for all of this.

I am able to listen to patients and identify their complaints. I assess their injuries and then summarize their complaints to the physician for a better focused encounter. My athletic training education prepared me greatly for this.

My first attempt at casting a thumb fracture got glowing reviews from my Doc. He asked "Where did you learn how to do that? That's a really great job." It was simple: my athletic training experience prepared me greatly for that, too.

At the first of the year, I will also be serving as a first assist in the operating room for my doctor. In order for me to do this, I had to pass the National Board of Certified Orthopedic Physician Assistant Exam. I studied hard. I read all of my athletic training texts cover to cover. My physician offered a few of his texts to me for additional study materials; I already owned all but one of those from, that's right, my athletic training education. By my good graces and hard work, I passed that test.

That OPA-C credential is now opening so many doors for me in regards to my orthopedic practice, but it was my athletic training education that made it possible. Why is my ATC not recognized in the same capacity?

My point is, we must continue to be involved in legislation to allow athletic trainers to serve in this capacity. We are all health care providers and we are prepared through our education to be excellent health care providers. Even if you are in a "traditional" setting, being the voice of our profession is imperative. I know of a few collegiate settings that are beginning to use the health care model and bill for services. There is absolutely no reason that these athletic trainers not be seen as health care providers that are skilled and worthy of doing so.

Woman are taking over our profession...or are they??

Indiana State University (yes, I may be slightly biased to them! GO SYCAMORES!) publishes research presenting data on: Age, Sex, and Setting Factors and Labor Force in Athletic Training.

What does this information show??? Well, in a nut shell....we see tons and tons of females getting into the Athletic Training Profession...however, what we don't talk about is the number getting out! Out of 18,571 AT's 52.1% were male and 47.9% were females. So, initally what would you think?? Well, yes, you would think the woman are catching up to the men...however, here is what we see....

"National employment trends have indicated an increase in female representation in the workforce from 40% in 1975 to 46% in 2005, with a projection that 51% of the workforce will be female by 2014.....Athletic training has incurred similar growth patterns since women first became athletic trainers (ATs) in 1956, with women now representing 48% of the athletic training population. Currently, 97.7% of all National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) institutions employ ATs. However, a closer investigation of the ATs in the college or university, high school, and clinic populations reveals inequity. Less than one-third of NCAA in- stitutions have female head ATs. The populations of men and women appear comparable (22% of women and 23% of men are employed in the secondary school setting, 14% of women and 14% of men are employed in the college or university setting, and 22% of women and 23% of men are employed in the clinical setting." (btw I could absolutely do proper citing here; however, what fun would that be in a blog...I will provide the article information at the end of this segment!)

So, where is the major discrepancy...well, it seems everything is fair in love and war (i.e. woman and men) except for not many woman are head AT"s at a college...is this by choice or by sexism..YOU DECIDE..please leave me comments at the end of this blog!

Next thing about woman...."Female athletic trainers tended to leave the profession around age 28 years." Also, "Among female ATs, 45% stated that they changed job settings after having children. The changes were primarily from the college or university setting and might be based on multiple dy- namics, including irregular hours and flexibility of scheduling; regardless, these patterns mimic national data."

So, what does this suggest??? Well, even though we are increasing the number of female AT's coming in...we still cannot catch up to the male population because we have several females still leaving the profession, but can you blame them??? Don't get me wrong, I am a HUGE advocate for Athletic Training, but sometimes I like to play the devils advocate!

I was once told by a doctor that I work with that you have to be a, "COMPLETE IDIOT to become a doctor...the hours...the years, the dedication...the stress...but at least I know my family is taken care of by the pay check I bring home...even if I'm not there all the time". Well, his phrase kind of rings home...the hours, the dedication, the stress, but the one thing we don't get is the pay. We cannot always say our families are well taken care of. After doing alot of research from salary surveys to my own personal surveys I am completely astonished at what some AT's are being offered. ...and I am not talking about a starter job that you know you will move out of because that is the realm of the job i.e. a "starter position" (even though those in themselves are a shame)...I am talking about good "experience needed" jobs. We are taking jobs that pay us peanuts, leaving some unable to pay off their bills and loans....unable to afford their car payments...or leaving them eating noddles 6 nights a week. WE as athletic trainers have to stand up for our profession. We tell our people to stand up for themselves and fight for their own salaries..and there is no doubt that this is needed...however, our profession needs to stand up for us too. We want so badly to care for our kids, but at what cost? There is no doubt an Athletic Trainer shoud be at every school...but at what cost??? So, that they can barely live a life and not be able to save money to take care of their family or even themselves years down the road. We cannot just think about the now, we MUST think about the future...the future of our profession including the FUTURE of OUR PROFESSIONALS.

So, this blog kind of points out a few things.....percentage of men vs woman in our profession, the fact that woman are leaving the profession ...and the question still remains to know exactly why...well, here is some more food for thought!!!! It's not just the hours....it's not just the stress.....because even doctors manage families with that....what about the pay????



Statistics a "quotes" come from the following research:

Age, Sex, and Setting Factors and Labor Force in Athletic Training
Leamor Kahanov, EdD, LAT, ATC; Lindsey E. Eberman, PhD, ATC
Department of Applied Science and Rehabilitation, Indiana State University, Terre Haute

Are You Prepared?

After watching those who live on the east coast last week scramble to find emergency supplies and create hurricane survival kits before Irene made landfall. It made me wonder, are we really prepared as athletic trainers to execute our emergency actions plans (EAP's) in a timely manor? When is the last time we practiced spine boarding or splinting, or even walked through our EAP's step by step?

If you are like me and live in traditional hurricane territory, you are prepared. You have a Hurricane kit, you have plan of attack if a Hurricane ever comes on land, and you watch the National Hurricane Center for updates almost on a daily basis during hurricane season. So how can we transfer our hurricane preparedness into Emergency preparedness in our role as an athletic trainer?

Providing immediate emergency care is a vital part of an athletic trainers existence, and emergency plans have to be rehearsed. This rehearsal provides team members a chance to maintain and improve their emergency skills at a high level. In addition, all equipment should be checked on a regular basis, but lets be honest when the last time you took out your splints and made sure they where in working order?

Today, I reviewed my EAP's with my Athletic Training Education Program students and at this point I do not believe they would be able to accurately implement it. I plan on using the next couple of days to allow them to become familiar with not only the plan and their role, but the equipment they may be asked to get and/or use.

I hope to never use my EAP's but as long as my team and I have rehearsed and our equipment is in working order I know everything will turn out for the best.

Below are some references for creating and implementing your own emergency action plans.

National Athletic Trainers' Association Position Statement: Emergency Planning in Athletics-http://www.nata.org/sites/default/files/EmergencyPlanningInAthletics.pdf

National Center for Sports Safety -http://www.sportssafety.org/articles/emergency-action-plan/

Center for Catastrophic Sports Injuries, Prevention and Management, College Sports Medicine Foundation- http://www.csmfoundation.org/Center_Catastrophic_Prevention_Management.htm

Why fight the heat?

This past Saturday I got a small taste of what most of you have been going through for the last couple of weeks: high school football in the heat.

Honestly, I got lucky. The school I was covering made a great call and scheduled the scrimmages from 8:30 am to noon. We were even lucky enough for an occasional cloud to block the sun!

Even with good scheduling and a break from some clouds, the actual temperature was still just below 100 degrees. The coaches scheduled plenty of water breaks, constantly reminded the players to get water, and had obviously educated the players on the importance of staying hydrated.

So, there I am, at a school who has taken the recommended precautions to reduce the likelihood of heat illness but I can’t help but think we are still doing it wrong. Physiology tells us that the human body is not designed to function in hot environments, much less function in extreme heat wearing a helmet and full pads. Unfortunately, athletes die every year and remind us of this very fact.

So why are we still doing it?

I get it, we love football; but, from my viewpoint, it seems as though we could make some changes that would protect the athletes (and coaches) from heat illness.

The most obvious: start practice later in the year. Why do we start playing football in August? How about moving the season back a few weeks?

I understand that a champion needs to be crowned before Christmas. This can still be accomplished if we take fewer teams to the playoffs. What happened to only the district champion going to playoffs?

I think we let way too many teams go to the playoffs anyway.

Why not reduce that number and shave a few weeks off the season? A champion could be crowned and we could all avoid the dangerous heat for a few more weeks. Coaches may not want to give up two a days but that would be a small price to pay to say lives.

Brave? or just plain dumb?

“Quality of life” is one of the hottest buzzwords in the profession these days. What can we do to make our job more enjoyable and keep people in the profession? This isn’t rhetorical. Seriously, what is it? What are we looking for? What do athletic trainers need to make us stick with this profession that we so fell in love with that we sacrificed so much at one time?

I have left my current position. I left because I was unhappy. I am this demographic that I don’t know how to handle or how to fix. I was tired of being here for the long hours. Not so much the time I was working hard to get patients better or teaching or providing great care for athletes, but for the time wasted. The time in the middle of the day where I was expected to be in the athletic training room “just in case.” These moments are when I am certain Facebook was made for athletic trainers.

I left because I was uninspired by what was called of me everyday. I left because I know that I am stunted in my professional growth. I left because I want to be challenged and learn something new and make a new mark for athletic trainers outside of the school setting.

I have been told I’m “brave” to make such a leap of faith. Some have praised me for acknowledging these things in myself and doing what it takes to make the changes. I partially think I have lost my mind. Who quits without having a job lined up!!!! Oh, that would be me.

I like to think of it of the seven-year itch. I’m in my eight year with my hubby, and I still like him. So I figure something had to give…

So I ask of you, how do we prevent the seven-year athletic training itch?

Volunteering

The weekend of April 16-17 was the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer event in Houston. A few of the Young Professional Committee member's volunteered their time Saturday and Sunday to help medical crew the route, along with 3 other athletic trainers. The walk was significantly understaffed with medical crew, especially athletic trainers. Volunteering your time to an event like this is very rewarding and I encourage anyone that is interested in participating next year to please contact me via email or reply to the post for more information. We hope to see you next year in Houston on the weekend of April 21-22nd, 2012.

Below are some pictures from this year...

Thank you Loree McCary, Carissa Spraberry, Charessa Lyons, and Adriann Fleming for another great weekend :)

Remember when...

Remember when your grandma and grandpa would tell you how they walked to school 5 miles uphill both ways? Remember when your mom told you not to make that face or else it would freeze that way? Remember when you got to college and people said you would act like a kindergardner? Remember when you thought you knew it all and then 5 years later you realized you knew nothing?
Life experiences take us from one stop to another on our journey of life. Advice is a tool to help you along. Some pieces are worthless like that little allen wrench in the build it yourself furniture. Some pieces are an everyday need like a pair of scissors. We should pass on the good advice to help those who need it and save our opionion when others should find their own truths.
I know I sound old when I say "It was so different when I ______", but it really was. Computers didn't email, cell phones were in bags and no one knew what text messaging was. I want to change with the times, but I also want to remember when. One piece that I read rang so true to me. It is attributed to a speech from Bill Gates where he lays it out for those students about to step into the "real world". Please take what you like and leave what don't, but in the end "remember when".


Rule 1: Life is not fair-get used to it.
Rule 2: The world won't care about your self-esteem. The world will expect you to accomplish something BEFORE you feel good about yourself.
Rule 3: You will NOT make 40 thousand dollars a year right out of university. You won't be a vice-president with a car phone, until you earn both.
Rule 4: If you think your teacher is tough, wait till you get a boss. She doesn't have tenure.
Rule 5: Flipping burgers is not beneath your dignity. Your grandparents had a different word for burger flipping-they called it opportunity.
Rule 6: If you mess up, it's not your parents' fault, so don't whine about your mistakes, learn from them.
Rule 7: Before you were born, your parents weren't as boring as they are now. They got that way from paying your bills, cleaning your clothes and listening to you talk about how cool you are. So before you save the rain forest from the parasites of your parents' generation, try delousing the closet in your own room.
Rule 8: Your school may have done away with winners and losers but life has not. In some schools they have abolished failing grades and they'll give you as many times as you want to get the right answer. This doesn't bear the slightest resemblance to ANYTHING in real life.
Rule 9: Life is not divided into semesters. You don't get summers off and very few employers are interested in helping you find yourself. Do that on your own time.
Rule 10: Television is NOT real life. In real life people actually have to leave the coffee shop and go to jobs.
Rule 11: Be nice to nerds. Chances are you'll end up working for one

·Attributed to a speech by Bill Gates

ATEP Outreach Presentation

I recently had the opportunity to present the SWATA ATEP outreach lecture to the athletic training students at ETBU. I made the short trip to Marshall (only 90 min) on a Friday morning to meet my audience.

David Collins, the program director, met me outside of the athletic center with a big smile and welcoming handshake. After spending a little less then an hour getting to know Mr. Collins, learning how to use the projector and discussing all things ETBU athletic training it was time to present.

The audience consisted of about 20 total students with roughly two-thirds being upperclassmen which forced me to think, “Great, these are exactly the type of students who benefit from the information given in the lecture.”

Almost immediately a few quick questions revealed that many of the upperclassmen were not sure what the next step in their careers would be, so it was looking as though the presentation would prove to be very helpful.

We discussed all of their options (first job, GA positions, or continuing their education) and how to decide what was best for them as individuals. The students asked questions and appeared to be absorbing some useful information. Next, we discussed all the ins and outs of SWATA and NATA young professional committees. The students were intrigued by the existence of the committees and of the services that are provided to them by the committees.

Finally, we wrapped up the presentation by sharing contact information and discussing how to follow up on topics that interested them. I made the trip to ETBU to teach future young professionals how to transition, but actually learned a lot myself about their program and the interests of the next generation of professionals.

AATA's 25th Meeting

I wanted to personally thank those members of SWATA who came to Arkansas to help us celebrate our 25th Birthday of our State Association!

Friday:
Seminar on Concussions
YPC/AATSA Night at the BallPark

Saturday:
Morning - Remembering our past -- history of the AATA and NATA
Afternoon - Educational Sessions
Night - Evening Social at the Arkansas Athletic Training Hall of Fame at Verizon Arena; followed by a slideshow from the PR Committee; a video from the YP Committee; and a fun question/answer/story session from members of the hall of fame and founders

Sunday:
Dr Casa - Heat Illness -- Family Members from the victims of heat illness (those that lived and died)
Business Meeting - new President Elect Selected


We had several friends from Texas come and share this wonderful event with us!!

Thanks for all of your support!!!

Alison L Moore, MS, LAT, ATC

What Athletic Trainers Make

Recently, Taylor Mali's What Teachers Make poem began making the rounds again.  It is an emotional argument for the often under-appreciated value of teachers.  It is poignant and appropriate given the current state of finance in education.  I'm pretty sure we can all agree that we wouldn't be where we are without teachers. 
With that in mind, and after a weekend of bandaging blisters and helping men and women achieve their goal of walking 39.3 miles for breast cancer research, I started pondering what athletic trainers make. I'm no poet and most of mine are in reference to my setting, but it's a good start. Feel free to add yours in the comments.

Athletic trainers make pain go away.
We make quick, objective decisions in critical situations.
We make sure we stay calm when others are not.
We make sure we know our athlete's names, medical conditions and previous injuries.
We make sure athletes know we are always there, and more importantly that we care.
We make parents trust us with their kids and we make athletes trust us with their health, their hopes, their future.
Athletic trainers make sure that athletes are hydrated and fed.
We make athletes cry when we tell them no; and smile when they are cleared to go.
We make sense of medical jargon.
We make "it's going to be ok," mean something and "it's a torn ACL," not mean the end.
We make rehab exercises interesting so 6 months doesn't feel like an eternity.
We make season-ending not mean career-ending.
We make the first catch, pass, goal, hit or basket after months of rehab feel like an Olympic Gold Medal.
We make our athletes' best interest, our first interest.
We make athletes find strength when they are weak and hope when they are hopeless.

Bottom line...Athletic trainers make a difference in the lives of their athletes, patients, clients and weekend warriors.

SWATA Opportunity

Dear Group, I would like to talk about a few things that will lead up to a wonderful opportunity that will be offered at SWATA this year, and sponsored by the Young Professional Committee. As most of you know, the state is in a huge financial crisis and school districts are taking a large part of the hit to fix the problem. My district for one is facing a massive deficit and unfortunately athletic trainers are being discussed as possible cuts to make up the difference. Its only a matter of time that a large number of athletic trainers across the state will feel the pressure that my co-workers are feeling. That being said, there is a real chance that multiple athletic trainers will be looking for work in the near future. I know that not the entire group that follows this blog are secondary school athletic trainers. Some of you may be based out of a clinic, or a physician extender. The economic impact may have already reached some of you. If not, you will most certainly see the effects soon. Those of you in other practice settings may also see of feel the effects of the slow economy. Some of our readers are not even professionals yet. If you are a student, this most certainly pertains to you. You may be about to enter into one of the toughest job markets in a long time. I ask that if you are a student, to please pay attention to the current events and latest news. Having the knowledge of what is going on when and where, could give you an edge on the next person that you will compete with for a job. It could also effect you decision of what to do after graduation. Maybe its not time to get that first "real job". Maybe its time to stay in school and get your graduate degree, or try a completely different rout that leads you to a successful career in athletic training. Now that's enough of paint a dark picture of the future. The Young Professional Committee will be sponsoring a Mock Interview Session during the SWATA Annual Meeting this Summer in Houston. Below is some information about the Mock Interview session to help you get a better idea of what its all about. If you have any questions feel free to use the contact information below.

Register for the student symposium at the 2011 SWATA annual meeting in Houston, TX July 13-16 to have the opportunity of a lifetime!!!

Athletic Training & Administrative Professionals will be conducting mock interviews
that will allow you to:
 Present your resume
 Get constructive feedback on your interviewing skills
 Interact with seasoned athletic training professionals and young professionals
 Practice professional dress and speaking
 Learn tips from a communications professionalQuestions??? Email Kelley Henderson: k.henderson@tcu.edu

Right Place, Wrong Time

Dr. John sings "I been in the right place, But it must have been the wrong time..."

As you can see from my very scientific graphic illustration, athletic training is on the rise.  Our professional recognition and respect are at an all time high through the efforts of our associations, legislators and most importantly athletic trainers.

Contrasting our steady incline is the roller coaster condition of our local, state and federal economies.  My financial adviser assures me that the economy is cyclical.  "Don't worry, it will rebound, there is no need to panic."  I'm certain that the economy will rebound but at who and what's expense?  Right now it appears it will be at the expense of education.  Athletic training is right where we need to be-on the rise- but it couldn't come at a worse time, especially for our secondary school practitioners. 

Our state (Texas) legislature is considering a bill that will recognize athletic trainers as the key health care professional in concussion management, yet over 50% of secondary schools don't have access to an athletic trainer.  Individuals, and organizations alike are recognizing, requesting and requiring athletic trainers more than ever before; however university systems, school districts and clinics are tightening the purse strings.  The media may not always call us "athletic trainers," but they are increasingly familiar with our skills and role in health care.

Bearing these facts in mind I assert that, while we must be mindful of economic woes, we must continue the fight.  We may have to adjust course, but we cannot back slide.  Athletic trainers are not expendable, but rather a vital part of health care for athletes of all types and skill levels.

If you need resources or tips related to the value and importance of athletic training, I recommend Promote the Profession with a great outline of our skills and the NATA website is rich with information from brochures to the salary survey.

“The better I get, the more I realize how much better I can get”

“The better I get, the more I realize how much better I can get” Martina Navratilova

Its registration time! Both the SWATA annual symposium and NATA annual symposium are now open for registration. I think it is so important for athletic trainers to attend at least one of these meetings. But here is the hitch, my colleagues, you must actually attend them! Call me lame, but conferences aren’t an employee-funded drunk fest or family vacation. They are there to serve as enrichment in the growth of our professional practices. You need to pick programming that interests you or, better yet, in an area you feel that you are deficient in. Regardless of what time of day they are being held! I know that it will most definitely be difficult to rise and shine in New Orleans, but the growth is what will make our profession better.

As we continue to grow and continue to strive for more clout among the medical community, these learning opportunities cannot be ignored. An athletic trainer must know current standards of care formed upon evidence-based practices. An athletic trainer must know new trends in rehab, modalities, evaluations, and legislation. Medicine requires continuing education due to its changing nature, and it is this reason that our professional organizations required CEUs. They require it, so we might as well make it prosperous and meaningful to us as individuals. These meetings are the perfect opportunity to personalize your learning experiences.

The link for SWATA is http://www.swata.org/attendeereg/

The link for NATA is http://nola.nata.org

2011 Election-District Director (5 of 5)

This concludes our District VI Director Candidate profiles.  To see complete profiles and more information on the candidates be sure to check out the Special Edition Newsletter and our Facebook page (SWATA Young Professionals in Athletic Training)

How will you encourage YPs to reach out to you and the executive board?

Mike Carroll- Head Athletic Trainer, Stephenville High School

I have always felt like accessibility is of paramount importance.  I have been on executive boards for local, state, and district associations as well as multiple NATA committees.  While on all of those boards or committees I prided myself on communicating with the membership. That communication should include regular e-mails, blog updates, Facebook page updates or other media types with information about the association.  It should also include simple things such as returning a phone call or an e-mail in a timely fashion.  As district director it will be essential for me to represent District Six at the national level and the only way that I can do that is to encourage the YPs to communicate their thoughts, ideas, complaints, and praises to me.

Bucky Taylor-Athletic Trainer, Mesquite ISD

I would be the representative of the District 6 membership which I would take very seriously.  Anyone can contact me at any time.  My personal goal is to respond to the individual the same day as contacted, and within 24 hours at the latest.  I will answer/respond to their issue to the best of my ability, and I will both present and represent your concerns to the board.  No question or concern is unimportant.

Kathy Dieringer-Athletic Trainer/Co-Owner, D & D Sports Med

This is indeed difficult for some professionals, and especially for those who have not fully established their networking skills yet. The best I can say is try—reach out to those members of the executive board. We are not as intimidating as we sometimes appear to be, and believe me, we all remember what it was like to be a young professional who wants to be involved. Technology is paramount to the future of athletic training, and will continue to play a huge part in our communication. My “ears” are only a mouse click, phone call, or text away.  As all athletic trainers, regardless of experience, begin to embrace technology more, I believe this will become easier. The SWATA Executive Board has made great strides in this area through the use of Facebook and the SWATA blog, and I’m confident this trend will continue in both SWATA and the NATA.

Ron Carroll-Head Athletic Trainer, Arkansas State University

Leaders such as the NATA National Director can provide a variety of contact information (phone, email, etc) for YP’s to contact them with questions.  The National Director can attend YP social events, lectures, business meetings.  Most of all listen and respond 100% of the time.

2011 Election-District Director (4 of 5)

What are some ideas you have to keep YPs in the profession?

Mike Carroll-Head Athletic Trainer, Stephenville High School

Keeping YPs in the profession is imperative.  To be able to do this the YPs must be able to adequately do their job and manage their life at the same time.  Whether it is YPs, students or older athletic trainers it is vital that the association give members benefits that meet or exceed the cost of membership.  For the YPs benefits that will help to keep them in the profession should include networking to know that they are not alone in their problems.  Educational sessions at district and national meetings that will increase the breadth and depth of their knowledge are also important as this will increase the YPs ability to do their job.

Bucky Taylor-Athletic Trainer, Mesquite ISD

I think that we need to provide better insight and training into the day to day challenges of the profession.  Young professionals enter the profession today with a much better knowledge base of how to provide care for their athletes.  However, I am not sure that they have a realistic idea of the expectations and demands they face on the job.  During some point during their training and during the first few years on the job, this issue needs to be addressed.  Many good young professionals leave the profession because they do not have safety nets or means to address daily issues.  For the athletic training profession to continue to grow, our professional organization should address this area and provide solutions.

Kathy Dieringer- Athletic Trainer/Co-Owner, D&D Sports Med
I believe question #3 speaks to this issue somewhat, in that as our profession improves our working conditions and salaries (life balancing), fewer athletic trainers will leave the profession for other areas of healthcare.  Additionally, we have to keep young professionals engaged through increased committee membership and involvement.  Through involve/evolve young professional participation has improved, but we need to take it a step further by requiring committee chairs to choose young professionals as a percentage of their committee membership.  As a former SWATA committee chair and current NATA committee chair, I know how difficult this can be as choosing a committee member who is well known and has proven him/herself is more comfortable.  The benefit I see is the ability of the young professional to see things from a different perspective-many call it "thinking outside the box," but I prefer to call it "making your box bigger."  Anytime I can listen to various perspectives on an issue, from the young professional to the retired member, I benefit both as a committee chair and as a professional.  I also enjoy the energy that this type of environment provides during brainstorming or planning sessions.

Ron Carroll-Head Athletic Trainer, Arkansas State University

Young professionals need value for their membership.  YP’s need to experience fulfillment and satisfaction in the profession of athletic training.  YP’s need involvement in the YP Committees on the National, District, State and Local level for a voice in athletic training issues.  Entry level curriculums need to provide realistic clinical experiences for different athletic training career settings.  The athletic training profession needs to continue to pursue different forms of revenue and compensation for athletic trainers.  Minimum standards of care that continue to be stressed will improve the daily responsibilities of athletic trainers.  Networking at all levels of athletic training gatherings will assist the YP in being the best athletic trainer they can and open numerous opportunities in their career of athletic training.

  

2011 Election-District Director (3 of 5)

 How do you see YPs contributing to the future of SWATA?

Mike Carroll-Athletic Trainer, Stephenville High School

The YPs have already made a huge impact on this association in their short existence.  Since I was elected to the SWATA Executive Board we proposed to the membership and passed a new constitution.  This changed the structure of the SWATA Executive Board to include an at-large position who will be a voting member of the board.  This would be a perfect position for a YP.  I can think of no better way to contribute to the future of the organization than to be on the executive board.  Also for the YPs to continue to help mold and shape the future it is critical that as a demographic continue to stay involved and complete projects that they identify as positively affecting not only YPs, but all athletic trainers in general.

Bucky Taylor-Athletic Trainer, Mesquite ISD

They are the future of our organization.  I think that the best way that they can contribute to the future of the organization is through being active in the professional organization and providing insight into how to effectively communicate the needs and concerns of this important group.  This could come through using social media or some similar tool.

Kathy Dieringer-Athletic Trainer/Co-Owner, D&D Sports Med

Young Professionals are a vital component of the future of SWATA and the NATA, because they set the tone for what is to come. I applaud the Young Professionals Committee for starting a movement for increased involvement early in your careers, as well as a desire to improve your job conditions from the onset. As a leader in the profession, my responsibility is to find a way to keep the young professionals involved throughout your careers. Our young professionals have become better than their predecessors at the life balancing skills we all aspire to obtain, prioritizing our lives so that family comes first, and expecting that our employer values what we do. As this trend continues, our entire profession will improve as a whole in this regard.

Ron Carroll-Head Athletic Trainer, Arkansas State University

Young professionals have new ideas, YP’s have votes needed with federal, state and local athletic training licensing issues, YP’s are our future leaders, YP’s are contributing members of this great athletic training organization.

2011 Election-District Director Candidates (2 of 5)

What does the Director do? 
The District VI Director represents SWATA on the NATA Executive Board and is our district's voice on national issues.  Our current District Director, Brian Conway, has served the maximum number of terms allowed. Director Conway's term officially ends in 2012, but electing this year will  allow the newly elected District Director to shadow for one year and learn the details and duties of the position. In order to serve as District Director, an individual must be a certified member of NATA and must have previously served as an elected member of the SWATA Executive Board.  Only certified members of NATA can vote for District Director.  To see the candidate platforms, be sure to check out the Special Election Edition SWATA Newsletter.

How can the YPC help young professionals with that?

(referring to question 1)
Mike Carroll-Head Athletic Trainer, Stephenville High School
The YPC has been and will continue to be instrumental in this area. They have always tried to indentify the interests, needs, and concerns of young professionals. Because of that increasing a young professional’s abilities and opportunities to network with their fellow athletic trainers who are either in the YP demographic or more experienced is right up their alley.

Bucky Taylor-Athletic Trainer, Mesquite ISD
I think developing a cadre of mentors in regional areas would be a useful tool for the YPC. It always helps to have someone to call who will lend an ear and/or advice to the young professional. I think we could dedicate time at professional meetings to how public school systems work. You would need to have knowledgeable athletic trainers, athletic directors, and administrators provide the information. Everything from public school finance, legal issues, testing, and day to day operation should be covered.

Kathy Dieringer-Athletic Trainer/Co-Owner, D& D Sports Med
I am certain that I was not the first, nor the last person to take a job based on the “glory” of the place rather than the specifics of the job. We continue to see many athletic trainers accept jobs, as I did, at universities for very low pay and benefits because of the place not the position. The NATA is often called upon to improve life balancing issues such as salaries and working conditions, and I agree that this should be a major goal for the NATA. To assist in this goal, we must also do a better job of being selective about the positions we take, and negotiating for better positions based on our worth.

Recently, I co-authored an article in the October issue of NATA News called “Your Worth, Your Skills, Your Value”. In concert with the NATA Chairs of COR, YPC, CUATC, and Sec. Schools, we are attempting through a series of articles to assist athletic trainers with bargaining skills, providing success stories and tools to show your worth to your employer and market your value as an athletic trainer. This issue transcends settings, and is vital to all athletic trainers, but especially to the young professional who is setting the course of their career. The YPC is an integral part of this endeavor, and certainly will continue to be.


Ron Carroll-Head Athletic Trainer, Arkansas State University
The YPC should develop a phone list and/or list serve for young professionals to contact when they have a need to discuss athletic training issues such as injuries, rehabilitation programs, job opportunities etc.

2011 Election-District Director Candidates (1 of 5)

The 2011 election in SWATA will have us voting for a new District Director.  The YPC wanted to make sure you had a wealth of information to make an educated decision about the next leader for our district and asked them a few questions.
Ballots will be e-mailed out (so make sure your contact information is current) on March 21!  Keep an eye on the blog as we will be posting their answers and resources for more information in the days leading up to the election.  Exercise your duty to vote!

What do you wish you could change about your time as a young professional?

Mike Carroll-Head Athletic Trainer, Stephenville High School

Increasing the ability to network and have access to athletic trainers in my work setting both locally and across SWATA is what I like to go back and change.  I can still remember after becoming a licensed athletic trainer in 1991 feeling completely and utterly isolated and alone.  I am very appreciative for several athletic trainers that worked at local schools like Gordon Graham at Tomball HS, Arnold Thomas at Cy Fair HS, Calvin Salois at Katy Taylor HS, and Cathy Supak at Clear Brook HS.  These people helped by giving me advice and direction on how I could best do my job and help keep my sanity at the same time.  Had it not been for these individuals I would not have been as successful early in my career and would have no doubt struggled greatly.

Bucky Taylor-Athletic Trainer, Mesquite ISD

I would have liked to have had either training or mentoring on the issue of dealing with coaches.  This was something that could have made my day to day dealings with either unknowledgeable or unreasonable coaches better.  Mentoring probably would have been better.  If you have someone that has crossed that bridge and can give you the benefit of their wisdom, it would have been useful to me.  Also, help on life balancing between my home life and work life would have helped.  It would also have been helpful to know more about how public schools operate.  Learning the ins and outs of school operation is a difficult process for even the most knowledgeable. 

Kathy Dieringer-Athletic Trainer/Co-Owner, D&D Sports Med

If I could change anything about my time as a young professional, it would be to choose my first job more carefully. As a young professional, I was employed by three different universities 15+ years after Title IX was passed. My graduate assistantship, though a great experience, was at a university where our football athletic training facility was still inside the men’s locker room. My first full time position was working at a major Division I university, where our athletic training programs remained separated according to gender. As a female staff member, I was not permitted to work with football or any of the major men’s sports. We treated the female athletes and the “minor” men’s sports. We had separate facilities, separate budgets, and very different salary structures. I soon left that position to become a head athletic trainer at a Division II university, where I remained for over 10 very rewarding years.
I was so excited to take my first job at this major university that I didn’t consider the nuances of the job, and regret that I didn’t make a more informed choice. There were universities where inclusion was common, and I would like to have experienced that as a young professional. While I don’t regret the career path I have chosen globally, I do wonder how my path might have been different had I had the opportunity to work in a more inclusive job setting as a young professional.

Ron Carroll-Head Athletic Trainer, Arkansas State University

I could have used more confidence and the opportunity to interact with other certified athletic trainers on a daily basis to discuss injuries, rehabs and other athletic training issues.

Why it is important...

Two years ago, on this blog, I posed the question...Can you imagine a world WITHOUT athletic trainers?
It seemed, at the time, that my assertions were far-fetched, the worst-case scenario even.

Now, it seems we are on the verge of our worst-case scenario with an economic climate that has effected everyone leaving school districts, universities and businesses big and small scrambling to cover budget deficits.

Cutting athletic training positions should not be a solution, but in some cases it may be.

It is important this month, and every month to fight for our profession!  If you need tips, tools or resources, be sure to visit the NATA website.

Rock The Vote

I just got this message from family back in Pennsylvania. http://www.wnep.com/videobeta/e7e72058-c32c-4262-af59-19ea59c95147/News/Schuylkill-County-Begins-Bicentennial-Celebration

The small county where I was born is celebrating their bicentennial. The video showed veterans pulling out flags 100 yards long and speaking of their time overseas and how their children and grandchildren our now serving. It got me thinking about our country’s foundation and how democracy was won, not given to us. People fought battles to have the right to choose everyday matters in their lives and most importantly, the right to decide who would lead and govern their nation.
I know that our elections for our district may seem small compared to events in Egypt and Wisconsin, but they are based on the same principle: each person has the right to choose! As the Young Professionals Committee, we have a duty to promote elections within our profession and our district, to make it an important decision in each athletic trainer’s life. We can sit around and talk about salaries, concussion articles that some reporter got wrong, or how many hours we put in, but unless we take advantage of our right to vote, we cannot place blame. If we chose to get involved at easiest level of informed voting, we make our voices heard. We can take that onto other levels of involvement, but we MUST at least savor the moment and utilize our privilege and right to vote!
Our District Representative nominations are in and the YPC will be posting the candidates’ answers to questions, PLEASE take advantage of this opportunity to get informed and then make your decision and VOTE!

On a side note: Please remember that March is National Athletic Training Month. More information can be found at nata.org or swata.org. This is the perfect time to get out and educate your workplace, schools and community about who athletic trainers are and what we do as health care professionals!!!

Representation

We have discussed many times in this forum about the importance of membership. 

NATA, SWATA and your state associations represent you.  To the media, to the public at large, and to our local, state and federal government.

It is important, no imperative, that you are aware of what is going on and how it will effect you and our profession.  These professional organizations are acting on your behalf whether you are a member or not and their actions can impact you, the athletic trainer, greatly.

Mostly these actions are for the better, but sometimes they aren't.  Is it important enough for you to engage and act?

"No taxation without representation" was the cry that rang out when the colonists felt they were being treated unjustly.  Well, I assure you the representation is there, it is our job to make sure that these representatives get our perspective so they can represent.

Currently there are 2 bills going before the Texas Congress, one already in committee(not filed by TSATA, but they are looking for feedback) and one should be filed this week, that DIRECTLY effect athletic trainers in Texas.

HR 332 - Relating to the licensure of athletic trainers

SB 835-TSATA Concussion Bill


It is not the role of this committee or me to influence your opinions on things of this nature, but rather to educate you on issues that are important to YPs. Please take the time to educate yourself about this legislation and make your thoughts known to your TSATA representative.

NO LEGISLATION WITHOUT EDUCATION!

The Grind

Every athletic trainer reaches a point in his or her work year that I refer to as the grind. For me the grind is mid-February to mid-March, the last month of the collegiate basketball season.

Morning treatments before the sun comes up, practice ends after dark, the night class I teach twice a week seems to meet way more often than that, at least two days a week trapped in a bus, and of course there isn’t a healthy athlete at the entire university.

I imagine high school ATs have two points in their work year that would qualify as the grind. One, the end of football season and two, that magical time in the spring when every sport that can possibly be played is in action. I really don’t see how you guys make it through.

The reason I bring up the grind is simple. It is at this time that even the most devoted AT occasionally questions their career choice. So, why do we put ourselves through this yearly punishment knowing full well that it’s coming? For me it’s an easy call. There is nothing better then healthy competition and I truly love being a part of it.

The excitement of games and chasing a championship make the long hours and stress completely worth it, especially when your team finally finishes the job. What about those years when your team comes up short? Well there are many more victories for us as ATs. My favorite is getting to return an athlete from an injury and watching them play with a rediscovered passion and intensity. These athletes had something they loved taken away from them and now they have a second chance, and their AT is largely responsible for that second chance.

So next time you find yourself in the middle of your grind ask yourself how you would feel if athletic training was taken from you (yes, “relieved” is okay in the short term). Then try and imagine the passion and intensity you would have when you were able to return to the career you love. That passion and intensity will see you through and I promise your athletes appreciate it even if they don’t excel at expressing it.

Flexibility

As an athletic trainer, a key word in the job description needs to be "flexible". This means multiple things. Sometimes you have to be physically somewhat flexible to deal the injury and rehab situations you might be put in. But what I want to talk about today is the life schedule of an athletic trainer. Two weeks ago, we spent almost a whole week out of school, and postponing events due to the weather. This caused an absolutely ridiculous scheduling nightmare. Then we got hit again, on Wednesday, and had to push back events another day. This one weather system not only delayed the end of one sports season by two day, but our basketball teams only practiced once in two weeks, and played 4 games in one week. Because of this schedule, there were two days this past week that never even made it "to work". I was working, and on the job. One of those day, I had something previously scheduled, but then had to come back to work for a make-up event. LONG DAY!!!!!

Now I know this was a freak event, but think about normal times. At my school, I am on at least 9 other peoples time. 9 coaches basically give me and my co-workers a frame work of how we are going to schedule our lives. We only get to decide how we are going to make it work. We now all have children. I married another athletic trainer, so you have an idea of her schedule. One co-worker married a pilot, and is gone for periods of time. The other married a computer geek, that now runs major operations of a major company. She is gone a lot also.

So needless to say, we have to live and die by a schedule. And we like that schedule to be done months in advance. But we all know that we have to have some kind of flexibility so that we can all work together toward a common goal. We are lucky that we get to work as a team. There are a lot of athletic trainers that do not have that luxury. Probably more often than not. But the life of an athletic trainer pretty much revolves around other peoples lives. You joined this profession because you wanted to help others. Selflessness is at the root of this profession. But burn out is also a very real condition in the profession. When making your schedule, working around those 9 coaches, and co-workers lives, make some time for you. I call mine "Timmy Time". I try my hardest to schedule time for me to do SOMETHING ELSE. Anything else. Sometimes, I schedule time to do, NOTHING. Nothing can be the biggest something sometimes. But make time for you, your family, and friends. It will help you get by!!!!

JOB SECURITY...CHECK OUT THIS VIDEO LINK!

Just a video to show TWO things:

1) First and foremost...why athletic trainers are important!

2) Reasons why athletic trainers should always have a job!

Check out this YOUTUBE link:



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9QTCBrefXso


--Alison

You know you are an athletic trainer when....

YOU KNOW YOU'RE AN ATHLETIC TRAINER WHEN...
1) You can sleep 101 different ways on a bus.
2) You have all the needed items in your apartment to tape an ankle.
3) You know people by their injury, not their names.
4) You have a pile of gauze and gloves on top of your dresser at home.
5) You believe the athletic training room should be equipped with an ibuprofen salt lick.
6) You think shallow gene pool should have its own box to check on an injury report form.
7) When one of your athletes or a coach asks if you even went home the night before.
8) You want to slap the next person that says, "Must be nice having all those holidays, spring break, and summers off?"
9) Nasty feet don't even phase you.
10) You think caffeine should be available in IV form.
11) You've ever had your profession slammed by someone who wouldn't dream of doing your job.
12) You analyze other people's gait patterns while walking around.
13) You want to choke a person that says, "Oh, you must have so much fun being around sports every day."
14) You cook beefaroni on the same hot plate to mold mouth guards.
15) You think midnight is a reasonable time for chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes and iced tea.
16) You get pissed off at the sportscasters when they say..."I think he strained his ankle".
17) Your friends/family come to you to see if you think they should go to the doctor when they hurt themselves.
18) When the athletic training room has become your workspace, bedroom, changing area, dinning area.
19) When you can spot Osgood-Schlatter's from a mile away.
20) You realize that skin lube is the best chapstick known to man.
21) You have made more than one trip to the hospital carrying an athlete in the back of the truck



Haha...I know there are ALOT of these I can relate to??? How about you guys?!

- Alison L Moore MS, LAT, ATC

Got any bright ideas?

Committee terms in the NATA and SWATA are one year, twice renewable. I have been fortunate and proud to serve our associations over the past three years as a young professional, but the time to pass the torch is fast approaching.

The application period for the District 6 NATA YPC Representative/SWATA YPC Chair is open and I encourage all enthusiastic, motivated, driven young professionals (under the age of 32 by July 1) to apply. It has been a great experience and I highly recommend it!

For more information on requirements and what you need to do to apply visit the NATA Young Professionals Page.

If you feel like you want to get involved, but this isn't the opportunity for you, then I encourage you to get on the SWATA Volunteer List.  Several committees will have openings this year, as well as a number of other projects requiring help, so take this opportunity to get involved!

JUSTIFIED

In much of our lives we have to make justifications.

In our finances, our diets, our relationships and our work.

Athletic trainers, specifically, are often charged to justify our purpose, our budgets, an increase in compensation, and sometimes even our decisions.

Recently mass media has turned their attention to concussions in sports, and tragically sudden death.  As more notice is given to athletics and injuries, the justifications for athletic trainers are starting to be made by other individuals, groups and professions.

For example...

• Football Deaths Raise Questions About Lack of Athletic Trainers
• Most high schools lack full-time athletic trainers
• If schools can't afford athletic trainers, they can't afford football
• Sports Medicine: Give schools the gift of quality medical care
• American Academy of Neurology Position Statement on Conussions

It is nice to be recognized and respected by "outsiders" as the go-to healthcare professional for prevention and care of concussions, sudden cardiac issues and other acute and minor athletic injuries.

Despite this, less than half of the high schools in SWATA even have ACCESS to athletic training coverage.  Rather than resting on our laurels that this information is out there, it is time to mobilize and publicize!


I continue to say that athletic trainers are expertly educated, highly skilled and the best first-line of defense for every athlete.  We are our own best advocates, and self-promotion is the best tool for professional advancement.


Use this information and your influence to better the future of the profession and increase access to quality athletic training care.


Athletic trainers are justified, and it is up to us to prove that.

Happy New Year!

 

2011.
The start of every year is marked with newness and resolutions.  Promises to yourself and others to be better, do better, take charge, change.

On New Year's Day, I stumbled upon this motivational piece from Ralph Marston:

January 1, 1999 

This is your year. It starts today. You've been put in charge of it. You've been given complete control. It is fresh and new, waiting to be broken in. How it turns out is now up to you.

There are no limitations on how you can use this year. And don't worry, you'll find plenty of opportunities distributed throughout its days and moments.

The clock is running now. Your year has already begun. Though it seems today that you have plenty of time, the weeks will pass quickly, so take care not to squander them. Yes, there's plenty of time, but not enough to waste.

What will you do with this great new year? How will you make it the best one yet? You need to think about those things, and soon. Even now, your year is beginning to take shape.

This is your year. It's not a test or a trial run. It's the real thing, and it is here. It is a magnificent opportunity, and one which will not wait. This is your year. See it. Imagine it. Live it. Enjoy it. Make it great.

That year, I was 17 and entering the last semester of my junior year.  I had been a "student trainer" for all of my high school career and was deciding what I wanted to be when I grew up.  I had a boyfriend who was about to graduate, and overall my future was uncertain.  Upon reflecting, I'm positive I didn't use that year as I should have.  I wished it away so I could "just turn 18," "just graduate" and do a number of other things that I couldn't wait to do.

As I began to get nostalgic and wish I had been smarter at 17, I read this year's motivational entry...

 January 1, 2011  

This is it. Your New Year is here. Though you cannot go back, you can do even better than ever as you move forward. No matter how many other years you've already seen, you can make this the best one yet. 

Of course there are plenty of challenges, and more are likely to be on the way real soon. But you've already come through a whole lot of them, and now you can put all that experience to positive and meaningful use. 

Glance back for a moment and you'll clearly see that life is always what you choose to make it, no matter what else might be going on. Now look forward with a renewed determination, and make the choice to live with more meaning and richness than ever before.

In your heart, you know why. With your considerable experience of living, you know how.

As this New Year begins, look forward to the opportunity you now have of experiencing life at a new and more fulfilling level. On this very first day of the year, look forward to being the best you've ever been at being you.

My life has been the sum of my decisions.  I cannot change the past, but I can greatly influence the future.
The same is true for athletic training.  People are too focused on what is or what has been.  Calling for name changes and lamenting about "good old boys."

Athletic training is a profession of the future.  Young professionals are the future of athletic training and I'm confident that 2011 will be the year of the young professional.  We need to look forward and not waste any time.

What do you want to change about the future of athletic training?