Colleges and universities are grappling with significant challenges in hiring and retaining Athletic Trainers, as highlighted by a recent survey conducted by the National Athletics Trainers' Association and the American College of Sports Medicine.
The findings revealed that over half of the ATS are responsible for the care of more than 100 student-athletes, and 65% have taken on additional duties without a corresponding increase in pay.
Dr. Bill Roberts, chief medical officer of the American College of Sports Medicine, indicated that many trainers are leaving academic settings for better-paying roles in occupational health, hospitals, and the military, among others:
“They vote with their feet.”
This shift is driven by the search for more competitive salaries and more manageable work hours.
Brant Berkstresser, chair of the Intercollegiate Council for Sports Medicine, pointed out the broad spectrum of employment opportunities now available to Athletic Trainers outside the collegiate sphere, which offer more attractive compensation models.
This scenario poses a "significant challenge" as these roles often provide better financial and work-life balance benefits compared to the traditional collegiate environment. The evolution of the AT's role from a nine-month to a year-round job, often requiring seven-day workweeks, exacerbates the risk of mistakes and burnout.
The call to action from the survey is clear: institutions must reevaluate their compensation structures to retain experienced athletic trainers and prevent a brain drain to other industries.
"If we spend our time at colleges breaking in all the new ones and then losing them, we lose that expertise that comes with time on the job," Roberts stressed.
The organizations recommend that colleges review and possibly enhance compensation and benefits, address staffing needs to improve work-life balance, and create clear pathways for professional advancement.