What Will the Future Bring for RT?
Sometimes I worry about the current and emerging generations of recreational therapists. These newer professionals did not have to fight to establish our profession – as many of us who are in our 60s and 70s had to do. I wonder if younger recreational therapists (i.e., those in their 20s, 30s, and 40s) really have the same passion for our profession as those of us who are older.
Will the younger recreational therapists act as advocates for our profession? Will they, for example, take the time to write letters to the CMS as we have been asked to do by ATRA and NCTRC?
Will the younger RTs support our profession by maintaining memberships in ATRA and ATRA chapters? The membership of ATRA is not what it once was -- so I believe there is cause for worry about the commitment to our profession displayed by our current RTs.
I wish I had more faith in the newer RTs. But I’m just not sure if they will support our profession to the degree needed for it to succeed.
I do know a great number of Hoosier RTs who are in their 20s, 30s, and 40s. Many of them are currently providing a great deal of leadership within the Recreation Therapists of Indiana (RTI) ATRA chapter. I’m proud of them and what they are accomplishing.
I also see some young professionals nationally who are active in our profession. It would be nice to see their numbers grow.
Before I form an opinion about the ability of the current and emerging generations to carry on the progress we have made as a profession, I will wait to see what happens in the coming years. I sure hope the current and emerging generations will rise to the occasion!
Will the younger recreational therapists act as advocates for our profession? Will they, for example, take the time to write letters to the CMS as we have been asked to do by ATRA and NCTRC?
Will the younger RTs support our profession by maintaining memberships in ATRA and ATRA chapters? The membership of ATRA is not what it once was -- so I believe there is cause for worry about the commitment to our profession displayed by our current RTs.
I wish I had more faith in the newer RTs. But I’m just not sure if they will support our profession to the degree needed for it to succeed.
I do know a great number of Hoosier RTs who are in their 20s, 30s, and 40s. Many of them are currently providing a great deal of leadership within the Recreation Therapists of Indiana (RTI) ATRA chapter. I’m proud of them and what they are accomplishing.
I also see some young professionals nationally who are active in our profession. It would be nice to see their numbers grow.
Before I form an opinion about the ability of the current and emerging generations to carry on the progress we have made as a profession, I will wait to see what happens in the coming years. I sure hope the current and emerging generations will rise to the occasion!
posted by Hoosier RT | 6:41 AM
2 Comments:
I’m in the younger generation (just turned 29) and I have the same concern.
I feel as if many younger professional recreational therapists are not advocating for our profession.
I feel grateful that the generation before us had created ATRA. I’m always pleased to hear an announcement such as the one ATRA just sent regarding CMS. I know our professional organization is going to bat for us. I wouldn’t have known to sent out a letter had it not been for the good members of ATRA.
The younger generation and certification
I’ve known two individuals (in the younger generation) who failed to renew their certification to practice simply because our state or their facility didn’t require it. I know at least two more individuals (recent graduates) who could sit for the certification exam, but don’t because it does not offer a pay incentive at their place of work. I question the ethics behind it. Isn’t certification the right thing to do? Doesn’t it show the consumer and third-party payers that the individual has met minimum standards?
Danny
I’m in the younger generation (just turned 29) and I have the same concern.
I feel as if many younger professional recreational therapists are not advocating for our profession.
I feel grateful that the generation before us had created ATRA. I’m always pleased to hear an announcement such as the one ATRA just sent regarding CMS. I know our professional organization is going to bat for us. I wouldn’t have known to sent out a letter had it not been for the good members of ATRA.
The younger generation and certification
I’ve known two individuals (in the younger generation) who failed to renew their certification to practice simply because our state or their facility didn’t require it. I know at least two more individuals (recent graduates) who could sit for the certification exam, but don’t because it does not offer a pay incentive at their place of work. I question the ethics behind it. Isn’t certification the right thing to do? Doesn’t it show the consumer and third-party payers that the individual has met minimum standards?
Danny
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