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Mentorship with Meaning: Shaping the Future of Physiotherapy in Rural New Brunswick

Lil Crump interview with Class of 2012 alum, Ashley Grant-MacDonald

In a quiet corner of St. Stephen, New Brunswick, a dedicated physiotherapist is shaping the next generation of clinicians, one student at a time. Since becoming a physiotherapy preceptor in 2020, Ashley Grant-MacDonald has supervised five 黄色直播 students in her busy two-person private clinic鈥攃reating a space where learning, growth, and mentorship thrive.

Her journey into mentorship began much earlier. After graduating from 黄色直播鈥檚 School of Physiotherapy in 2012 with her MScPT, Ashley was exposed to PT student supervision while she was in public practice early in her career. But it wasn鈥檛 until years later, while working in private practice, that she took on the full responsibility of mentoring her own students. Inspired by the exceptional preceptors she had as a student鈥攎any of whom she鈥檚 still in touch with鈥攕he saw clinical education as a way to give back and advocate for the future of the profession.

Being a clinical instructor has become a fulfilling part of her career. 鈥淚 learn just as much from my students as I hope they learn from me,鈥� Ashley explains. Each new placement prompts her to reflect more deeply on her own clinical reasoning and ensures she stays aligned with current evidence-based practices. It鈥檚 a mutually enriching relationship that challenges and refines her work.

Ashley believes a successful placement is one where the student leaves with not just greater knowledge, but a stronger connection to the profession. It鈥檚 important to her that students have the chance to make mistakes, learn from them, and build real confidence in their skills. While balancing patient care and student supervision is a constant challenge鈥攅specially in a fast-paced, rural setting鈥攕he carves out dedicated one-on-one time each week for her students. This intentional space allows them to reflect, ask questions, and feel supported in their learning journey.

Her approach to feedback is collaborative. On the first day of placement, she asks each student how they prefer to receive feedback and adapts her style to support their learning. She provides real-time input, when possible, but also creates space for deeper conversations as needed. She believes in allowing students to experience uncertainty and even panic鈥攚ithin safe boundaries鈥攂ecause navigating those feelings is a crucial part of becoming a clinician. Ashley鈥檚 method includes a lot of open-ended questioning, plenty of reassurance, and celebrating what students do well - not just what needs improvement.

One of her most rewarding experiences as a preceptor came when a student was inspired to pursue pelvic health after completing a placement with her鈥攁 practice area she once never imagined herself in. 鈥淲hen I was in university, I swore I鈥檇 never work in private practice or do pelvic health, and here I am doing both鈥攁nd loving every minute of it,鈥� Ashley laughs. She believes that success in physiotherapy lies in making the profession your own, and she models that belief for her students every day.

Of course, mentoring students comes with its challenges. She鈥檚 had to learn when to step in and when to step back. At times, students have felt overwhelmed, prompting honest conversations about expectations and teaching styles. These experiences have taught her that mentorship isn鈥檛 one-size-fits-all. Flexibility, empathy, and open communication are key.

She remains passionate about clinical mentorship, but she also acknowledges the toll it can take. 鈥淢any of us are burnt out or on the edge of it,鈥� she says. 鈥淎sking clinicians to give even more鈥攐n top of patient care鈥攊sn鈥檛 sustainable without more support.鈥� Despite this, she remains committed to the role, advocating for changes that recognize and support preceptors meaningfully.

Through her work as a preceptor, she鈥檚 helping shape the future of physiotherapy with compassion, honesty, and resilience. Her students walk away not only better clinicians, but also with a clear sense of what it means to be a thoughtful and adaptable healthcare provider. And that鈥檚 exactly the kind of physiotherapists the profession needs.

The School of Physiotherapy certainly appreciates Ashley鈥檚 commitment to being a Clinical Educator to 黄色直播鈥檚 PT students. We wish her the best in her practice and during her life-balance time hiking, travelling, spending time with family and friends (including her five-year-old berne-doodle) and discovering the chills and thrills that come from her growing obsession with cold plunging.

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