During the final year of my physiotherapy degree on the Gold Coast, I had the incredible opportunity to complete my last clinical placement with NAPA Center in Sydney before moving to the Melbourne clinic for its grand opening in September 2021.
What began as a six-week placement as a student physiotherapist quickly became a life-changing experience.
Those six weeks not only confirmed my passion for pediatrics but also launched my physiotherapy career in a way I never could have imagined, shaping the clinician I am today.
I chose to work in pediatrics because it gives me the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in a child’s life that can extend well into adulthood. Supporting children to develop new skills, build confidence, and achieve greater independence can have a lasting impact across their entire lifespan. One of the most rewarding aspects of pediatrics is working closely with families, collaborating with them to understand their goals and empowering them to support their child’s development in everyday life.
Pediatrics is also an incredibly fun field, where play is not only encouraged but is often a central part of therapy. Every day brings opportunities to be creative, adapt activities to each child’s unique interests and needs, and find engaging ways to help children learn and succeed. I chose to work in pediatrics because it gives me the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in a child’s life that can extend well into adulthood.
When deciding where to complete my final clinical placement, NAPA stood out as a unique opportunity to expand both my clinical knowledge and understanding of pediatric rehabilitation. I was eager to experience a collaborative pediatric setting where physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech therapists worked closely together to support children and their families. I was also drawn to NAPA’s intensive therapy model, which offered the opportunity to see meaningful progress achieved through concentrated blocks of therapy.
The chance to learn and utilise a wide range of therapeutic modalities, work with children presenting with diverse diagnoses and goals, and be mentored by experienced therapists from around the world made the placement particularly appealing. Together, these opportunities provided an environment where I could challenge myself, grow as a clinician, and gain invaluable experience in pediatric practice.
After completing my placement, I was incredibly excited and grateful to be offered a position with NAPA. Transitioning from physiotherapy student to practicing physiotherapist was both rewarding and supported every step of the way. From day one, I was welcomed into a positive and collaborative team environment where learning and professional growth were highly valued. NAPA’s dedicated and tailored training program provided a structured pathway to build my clinical skills and confidence, ensuring I felt prepared for the challenges of independent practice.
Beyond this initial training, ongoing mentorship from experienced therapists continued to support my development, providing guidance, encouragement, and opportunities to refine my clinical reasoning. This combination of comprehensive training, mentorship, and a welcoming team culture made the transition from student to clinician an incredibly positive experience and laid a strong foundation for my career in pediatric physiotherapy.
Now, more than five years after first walking through NAPA’s doors as a student physiotherapist, I can confidently say that choosing NAPA was one of the best decisions of my career. What initially attracted me to the organisation—the collaborative team environment, intensive therapy model, and commitment to ongoing learning—continues to inspire me today. Over the past five years, I have had the privilege of working with incredible children and families, learning from talented therapists from around the world, and continually developing both personally and professionally. Every day brings new challenges, opportunities, and rewarding moments, reinforcing my passion for pediatric physiotherapy and the meaningful impact it can have across a child’s lifespan. I am incredibly grateful to be part of the NAPA team and look forward to continuing to support children and their families for many years to come.
Choosing NAPA was one of the best decisions of my career.
