Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2025

DOI

10.4085/1947-380X-25-009

Publication Title

Journal of Athletic Training Education and Practice

Volume

21

Issue

3

Pages

257-264

Abstract

Context

As new athletic trainers (ATs) transition into their roles, some employers provide extensive orientation and onboarding to assist with the transition to practice (TTP); however, onboarding practices are inconsistent. Understanding how onboarding affects TTP can help employers implement impactful onboarding tactics.

Objective

Examine how the onboarding experience impacted the TTP and the effects of the process on individuals.

Design

Grounded theory.

Setting

Secondary school, hospital/clinic, college/university.

Patients or Other Participants

Seventeen newly credentialed, employed ATs who had graduated from professional masters' programs (11 female, 6 male; age = 25.6 ± 2.2 years) participated in this grounded theory study.

Data Collection and Analysis

Purposive sampling was used to recruit participants. Phone interviews occurred using a semistructured interview guide approximately 3, 6, 9, and 13 to 15 months after participants began employment. The number of participants was guided by data saturation. Data were analyzed through grounded theory, with data coded for common themes and subthemes. Trustworthiness was established via multianalyst triangulation, peer review, and member checks.

Results

Two themes emerged

facilitating TTP and impact. Onboarding facilitated TTP by helping participants feel supported, understand expectations, and integrate into their roles. Impact refers to how onboarding affected participants' confidence, belonging and teamwork, focus, and stress.

Conclusions

Onboarding is vital to the TTP for new ATs and impacts their confidence, role integration, and stress levels. Employers should provide site-specific orientation and ongoing mentoring in order for new ATs to quickly adapt to their roles and collaborate with other health care providers during their first year of employment. Effective onboarding decreases stress and allows new ATs to focus on patient care.

Rights

© National Athletic Trainers' Association 2025.

ORCID

0000-0003-3171-9141 (Cavallario)

Original Publication Citation

Thrasher, A. B., Walker, S. E., & Cavallario, J. M. (2025). The impact of onboarding during transition to practice for newly credentialed athletic trainers. Journal of Athletic Training Education and Practice, 21(3), 257-264. https://doi.org/10.4085/1947-380X-25-009

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