In the October 2010 issue, PTJ published the first nationwide practice analysis of acute care physical therapy: "Nationwide Acute Care Physical Therapist Practice Analysis Identifies Knowledge, Skills, and Behaviors That Reflect Acute Care Practice." Lead author Sharon Gorman, Jim Smith, and Patricia Ohtake discuss the results of this practice analysis and how they can be used by education programs in preparing students to meet the unique needs of the complex acute care environment. What makes a successful acute care physical therapist? Are there specific personality characteristics that enable a physical therapist to be effective in the acute care setting, or does success depend more on the professional evolution from novice to expert practitioner?