Any NP programs specializing in health promotion?

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Hello,

I've been considering furthering my education and I've been looking into NP programs lately. All the programs I've found are for either Acute care, Gerontological or family practice.

My major interest is in fitness and if working as a practitioner I would truly enjoy working in a field such as longevity and/or health promotion. Does such a specialization exist for the NP role or is this a case where someone would go to NP school as family practice and then start working in the field of health promotion once they finish NP school.

Thanks

Brian07

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Did you check to see how many positions are open for health promotion?

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There are few if any and those are mainly filled before they are even posted. Health promotion is relatively new and my plan would be to work towards opening up my own clinic when able. It's different in the fact that most insurances don't cover 'health promotion' and instead choose to pay to manage someone's diabetes instead of preventing it in the first place.

Going into it I know that finding a job will not be easy but I'm more interested in creating a business catering to those who choose to live a healthy lifestyle.

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I would contend that all NP programs have an emphasis on health promotion and disease prevention. There isn't a specialty for NPs in the area. Specialties are population specific - family, peds, adult, women's health. Your best bet would be to choose a program with the group you'd like to work with (like FNP or ANP). You can find CE activities to bolster knowledge in holistic and preventative topics.

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I would hope that all NPs do a little health promotion! (time permitting of course). Given the current obesity crisis, I would expect your interest in fitness to benefit your patients in any age category. Specialization wise, it would certainly fair well with diabetes clinics. Idk if ortho specialization exists for NPs though; may have to do some research!

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Specializes in FNP, ONP.
I would hope that all NPs do a little health promotion! (time permitting of course). Given the current obesity crisis, I would expect your interest in fitness to benefit your patients in any age category. Specialization wise, it would certainly fair well with diabetes clinics. Idk if ortho specialization exists for NPs though; may have to do some research!

Yes, there is an orthopaedic NP specialty.

APN Certification » Orthopaedic Nursing Certification Board

However, ortho has very little to do with health promo. Diabetes clinic would make the OP want to put a bullet through his head in less than 2 weeks; IME those are some of the least motivated people on the spectrum.

OP, consider anti-aging medicine.

http://www.a4m.com/anti-aging-chicago-board-certification-exams.html

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