[JuniperB]

Greetings,

I am currently an LMT licensed in both CA and WA. I have +700 hours of training and am nearly done with the prereqs for a RN program.

This is the 1st I've stumbled onto this specialty forum! What a treat to see that others have had similar experiences and passions! I've seen the healing that can be accomplished with massage, it can be quite amazing!

My question is this: I want to integrate my healing arts, is there a way to obtain a job as an RN that allows direct body work with patients? i.e. PM&R or rehab w/o the "hell" of rehab nursing?

Is Nurse Massage Therapist a true specialty? Is there a combined specialization?

I would caution about heading into "Medical Massage Therapy" from the aspect of massage therapy there is a bit of a schism in the field about separating or fracturing the practice of massage. "Therapeutic Massage Therapy" might be a better name - I know it seems like splitting hairs.

Thanks!

JuniperB

[massageRN]

Juniper... There are a few areas to work in nursing related to a nurse massage therapist. Some hospitals hire LMT RN's to do the massage therapy for the occasional hopital massage, integrative therapy departments and spas that are popping up, keeping departmental budgets in mind they would hire a massage therapist instead as they would most likely make less per hour. These jobs are far and few between. What you can do is one of two things.Be creative.. create your own job and make your self valuable to your place of work. 1. become certifed in a specialty area of massage and incorporate that into your work such as a Nurse LMT can specialize in fibromyalgia and arthritis and work in a rheumatology clinic or for a physician, I on the other hand had to become more creative and since I work an OB unit became certified in perinatal massage and infant massage. I incorporate these therapies in my care and teaching of patients. I also teach the hospital infant massage classes. These ceus count not only for continuing education for massage but also for nursing licensure as mandated by my state. Other areas where there is a great need for massage in nursing care is on oncology units and also with hiv positive patients who greatly need touch in their care. Orthopedics to help increased movement and circulation after being in a cast for 6 weeks . Do you know working in an orthos office may be a great idea! 2. Own your own business....I know at least 3 nurses who own their own spas, franchise adventures and medi spas. As a nurse our scope of practice is much wider and nursing was voted one of the most respected careers for women across the nation according to Johnson and Johnson(baby lotion and shampoo company)good luck with your endeavors. I hope I don't sound discouraging but I would love to hear from other LMT/RNs with some creative ideas also.