LMT heading into Nursing

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.

I'm in the opposite position...RN recently having become an LMT. At my hospital, they do not hire LMT's, let alone nurses as LMT's. Currently, we are having a major budget crunch, and creating new positions is like pulling teeth. So, my current and best option is to do some work on my own. Of course, I do some "spot" massage at work (but I have always enjoyed giving a good back rub), but I use caution, as that is not my role at work. I am currently attempting to set up some side work with another therapist who is full time. But obviously getting a business going takes a lot of work. What sucks about all this is that it is very difficult to really be acknowledged for the fact that I am also a nurse. I will be using my RN in my title, hence, I will also be purchasing liability insurance for my nursing license, as well as liability insurance for my LMT license (these are things you must think about), as I would not be covered outside of the hospital. As an RN, I may be able to do some teaching that I would not be able to do as an LMT. Besides that, I wish there were a way, to do this at my regular job more and actually get paid for it. In my location, it is very difficult.

However, I do see a future that acknowledges massage...so I would still encourage it! In the years to come, I see hospitals and nursing homes, for example, hiring not only massage therapists, but even nurse massage therapists for the more complex cases. Keep your eye on Nevada...I think they are getting things going for us.

Where do you currently live?

Hi, I live in Syracuse, NY.