Maintaining Professional Commitment as a Newly Credentialed Athletic Trainer in the Secondary School Setting

Area of Science:

• Sports Medicine
• Professional Development
• Athletic Training

Background:

• Professional commitment is crucial in athletic training but understudied in newly credentialed professionals.
• The transition to clinical practice can be particularly stressful for early-career athletic trainers (ATs).
• This study addresses the gap in research concerning the professional commitment of novice ATs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the factors influencing professional commitment among newly credentialed athletic trainers (ATs).
• To investigate the experiences of ATs in the secondary school setting during their early career stages.

Main Methods:

• A qualitative study was conducted with 31 newly credentialed athletic trainers (ATs) in secondary schools.
• Participants included full-time ATs and graduate assistant students.
• Semistructured interviews were analyzed using a phenomenological approach, ensuring credibility through peer review, member checks, and triangulation.

Main Results:

• Four key factors emerged as facilitators of professional commitment: work-life balance, relationships with student-athletes, enjoyment of the secondary school setting, and professional responsibility.
• Positive interactions and a sense of purpose within the school environment significantly contribute to commitment.
• The findings highlight the importance of supportive professional relationships and personal well-being.

Conclusions:

• Affective commitment, driven by job satisfaction and the ability to balance work and nonwork roles, is central to maintaining professional commitment for newly credentialed ATs.
• Rejuvenation and passion are vital components that strengthen professional commitment in early-career athletic trainers.
• These findings reinforce existing literature and offer insights into supporting novice ATs' long-term dedication to the profession.