A question many clinicians face is whether or not to go to a residency program. There are pros and cons either way and a LOT to consider. Additionally, with so many residencies available to clinicians there are things you want to look for that will be a good fit for you. Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS and Claire McLean, PT, DPT, NCS talk with Mari Biers, PT, DPT who is currently completing a neurologic residency at the University of Missouri. This conversation highlights multiple perspectives as Mari is currently in residency, Claire completed a neurologic residency and Erin did not do a residency. Mari highlights the immense value of residency programs for new physical therapists seeking accelerated professional growth and we also touch on the ways that you can grow without doing a residency since it is not the only path to clinical excellence.

Key Takeaways: - Residencies offer intensive mentorship, improving clinical reasoning and confidence - Programs provide comprehensive learning across different healthcare settings - Participants gain deep insights into specialized neurological treatment approaches - Continuous feedback and structured learning help rapidly develop clinical skills

Mari's experience demonstrates that residencies are more than just additional training - they're a pathway to becoming an exceptional clinician. While challenging, these programs provide unparalleled opportunities for professional development, research exposure, and specialized neurological rehabilitation expertise.

For ongoing mentorship and lifelong learning join NeuroSpark! Go to www.joinneurospark.com to learn more.

Instagram: @ptmarib