[IntelliKat]

Sure!!! Just don't call yourself a massage therapist!!!

[nurseyperson]

IntelliKat.......... if you don't call yourself a massage therapist, what do you call yourself?
Sorry, I can't agree with you. You have a nursing license, not a massage license or certification. Of course you can do it, but in my opinion, it is not professional. Part of being professional is following the rules, in my opinion. If your state does not require certification or a license, then, unfortunately, you are OK ( for now)
The professional organizations are lobbying the legislatures in all the states that do not require any regulation. (about 20) and in many of those states, regulation is being discussed. And state legislatures are following recommendations of professional organizations and the other states who do require regulation, and looking at a minimum of 500 hours of approved schooling, and often the National Certification test.
And those who don't have documentation of schooling will have to take it. They won't be automatically grandfathered in.
You can check this info out yourself from the leading professional massage association, the American Massage Therapy Association, AMTA
When I joined the AMTA, they sent a Code of Ethics. In a nutshell
* Demonstrate commitment to provide highest quality massage therapy
* Acknowledge the inherent worth and individuality of each person
* Demonstrate professional excellence thru self assessment and continued educaiton and training
*Acknowledge confidential nature of the professional relationship

"*Conduct all business and professional activities within their scope of practice, the law of the land, and project a professional image."

*Accept responsibility to do no harm
*Refrain from engaging in any sexual conduct with clients

AND ALSO........VERY IMPORTANT. I HAVE SEPARATE MALPRACTICE INSURANCE FOR MASSAGE THERAPY. YOU CANNOT GET THIS UNLESS YOU HAVE GONE TO AN APPROVED/ ACCREDITTED SCHOOL! DON'T TRUST THAT YOUR NURSING MALPRACTICE INSURANCE WILL COVER YOU IN CASE OF A LAWSUIT. IF YOU WANT TO SAY YOU ARE PRACTICING AN ASPECT OF NURSING (SINCE YOU DON'T CALL IT MASSAGE THERAPY) OUT OF YOUR HOUSE.......DO YOU THINK THEY WOULD COVER YOU??? AND IF YOU DO CALL IT MASSAGE THERAPY IN THE STATES THAT DON'T REQUIRE A LICENSE OR CERTIFICATION, YOUR NURSING MALPRACTICE WON'T COVER THAT FOR SURE!!!

Some things to think about. It sounds like you probably do a good job, but go the extra mile to show your professionalism.

[nurseyperson]

FYI to IntelliKat
Ohio does require a license, with 600 hours of training from an approved school and a $50 renewal fee every 2 years.

If anyone else would like to know the regulations for their state, let me know. You also need to check out the local requirements and ordinances thru your city of county.

nurseyperson
NCTMB, National Certification Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork
www.nctmb.com

[IntelliKat]

Ohio requires a licence to practice as a Massage Therapist. I do not call myself one, so am not bound by this rule. And I conduct my practice VERY professionally and am acting within all established rules and laws. I openly state that I am a nurse that gives relaxation massage and do not claim to treat anything and that is totally legal!!! Thanks for your input, though.

[MrsK1223]

Are there any accredited MT schools that do distance education? Me and another nurse are very interested but living in the boonies and far from a massage therapy school it makes it pretty hard and working full time. I've found some and you do have to put in so many hours of hands on but can't find out anything about them being legit. The colleges around here don't offer it. Any help would be appreciated. We want to get the appropriate training with out quitting our jobs, leaving our families and going broke...hahahaha.

[nurseyperson]

Yes, In fact, there is one out of Utah. It is the Myotherapy Institute of Massage in Salt Lake City, Utah. They do distance education for 420 hours of theory (books, tapes, etc.) at your own pace, and then you have a local trainer and do the rest of the hours (minimum of 100) for the hands on portion.
In fact, I am a local trainer for them for this area of Kansas, so I know all about them. The school is state approves in Utah and the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork, and the distance education portion is approved by whatever entity approves distance education. You do need to talk to them about whether their program is approved in your area/state.
For those of you that have some education but want the education that will let you take the National Exam, you can get credit for your documented hours.
You would need to find a certified/licensed massage therapist in your area to oversee your test taking and the massage classes.
They have a web site, www.myomassage.net
and Phone # 1-800-HEALYOU (432-5968). Tell them Connie in Kansas sent you!!!

[MrsK1223]

Thanks a bunch Connie!!!! I will look into this and tell my coworker about it. Thanks again. Melissa

[5150dx]

I just wanted to speak up as being against any idea about requiring Registered Nurses to have separate MT training, in order to offer what are nursing services.

While I respect gaining further formal education which enhances your skill, I think we have enough regulation already. I fully intend to legally offer massage to clients on an independent/private duty basis. I have already confirmed with N.S.O. that they will cover me. Of course, if I wanted insurance covering my residence as a business, that would be separate. At least in Calif., thankfully, I can provide massage, legally.... as a nursing service.

Kristi

[nurseyperson]

One thing that should be mentioned...there is a difference between a relaxing massage that ANYONE can give,(nurse, massage therapist, CNA, or even anyone off the street) and a Medical Massage that I practice. A regular massage certainly is within a nurse's scope of practice, but not a massage that requires special education, for then we do step into a territory that is grey, especially in the states that do require a license, certification or regulation.
When I talked to my state board (Kansas)of nursing a few years ago (when I started massage) and asked about doing massage as a nurse, they said it was not specifically in our scope of practice, but because it was NOT in the scope of practice of any other board in Kansas, nurses could do it. (Actually, ANYONE can do it, even with NO training) But when it becomes regulated by a state board, then it would not be in the scope of practice as a nurse to do a professional massage.

So, in a nutshell, since anyone can practice massage in the states without a license, a nurse certainly can. But in the states that do regulate massage, I think it is a grey area (for nurses, that is) Of course nurses can give a nice, relaxing massage, and be professional. But as for being LEGAL, (in states that require a massage license or certification) that is a big question. I certainly wouldn't risk my nursing license on it.

Just something to think about for nurses who are going into this area. And it is a great area!!

nurseyperson

[Hellllllo Nurse]

Originally posted by Stargazer
O/T: Hey, how come I had to learn the origin and insertion points in MY nursing A & P class...?

Me, too!