Combining Nursing with Exercise Science and Biomechanics; is it possible?

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So like a few older people I am considering a career change. I am looking into nursing, since I like the health sciences and helping people out, plus all the other cool stuff that I can do. However, I am wondering if some of those cool stuff could be combining exercise science and/or biomechanics (the study of human movement). I have previously worked as a researcher in this area (looking at different movements affected muscularskeletal injuries in young players) and I would like to incorporate that into my new possible career. Is that a possibility? Are there specialties I should concentrate on (such as sports medicine, physical medicine and rehab)? Are there more opportunities as a Nurse Practioner (my long term goal)?

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Have you thought about physical therapy? Going into nursing with an established interest in exercise science and biomechanics sounds to me like trying to fit the proverbial round peg into a square hole. There's not much overlap between your interests and nursing. Even in physical medicine and rehab settings, the nurses mainly provide medications and assisting with ADLs, and the physical therapists do all the actual physical rehab stuff. In any healthcare setting, the OTs and PTs are going to be doing most of what it sounds like you're interested in.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.

All I know for certain is that with regard to nursing, you must follow the prescribed path to licensure. How you attempt to branch out/combine practices after licensure will be up to you. There are no specialties in the basic nursing education.

So if your long-term plan includes a nursing license as a starting point, that is all you need focus on at this point.

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Well I did look into it, but the biggest fault that I have with it is the cost of becoming a physical therapists and the expected salary. I would be almost 100k in students loans after graduating and the starting salary for a PT is in low 60k. I know money is never a good reason not to pursue something, but I would like to spend my money on other things besides paying back someone.

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Specializes in ICU.
Well I did look into it, but the biggest fault that I have with it is the cost of becoming a physical therapists and the expected salary. I would be almost 100k in students loans after graduating and the starting salary for a PT is in low 60k. I know money is never a good reason not to pursue something, but I would like to spend my money on other things besides paying back someone.

The starting salary for a PT is much higher than that. My sister is one. You do have to get your doctorate. Maybe you were looking at a PTA? My cousin is one and that is about how much she makes.

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That's the number I found out the most for PTs fresh out of school. The median salary is $85,000. The only exception were PTs who work in expensive places (New York City, Washington DC, ect) than otherwise their income was adjusted.

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So, if making the extra money is more important to you, then go into nursing recognizing that you're not going to have much opportunity to pursue your current interests, and you're going to be a nurse, practicing nursing, watching the PTs do all the stuff that you're really interested in. Or make a little less money and enjoy your job more. FWIW, the PTs and OTs I've known over the years have been a lot happier and more satisfied about being PTs and OTs than most the nurses I've known have been about being nurses. Everything in life is a choice.

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Specializes in ICU.
That's the number I found out the most for PTs fresh out of school. The median salary is $85,000. The only exception were PTs who work in expensive places (New York City, Washington DC, ect) than otherwise their income was adjusted.

Ok. Well, $85k is much higher than $60k. I was simply stating that the starting salary was higher as I personally know and maybe you were confused with a PTA. $60k is more in line with what they make. How much do you think a starting NP makes? Generally around $85-90k. So, I guess I'm missing the difference.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
Well I did look into it, but the biggest fault that I have with it is the cost of becoming a physical therapists and the expected salary. I would be almost 100k in students loans after graduating and the starting salary for a PT is in low 60k. I know money is never a good reason not to pursue something, but I would like to spend my money on other things besides paying back someone.
I am in a low cost-of-living state in the South and all of the new grad PTs with whom I've worked have started at a salary of at least $80,000 per annum. Experienced PTs often earn in the six figures. The salary figures you have seem too low.
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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

Yeppers - I think you're thinking of Kinesiology. I took some post-grad classes with those folks. They were engaged in all sorts of really fascinating research areas. One was working with a children's hospital - developing programs to enhance physical stamina of children with serious heart defects. Another was employed at NASA - studying zero gravity exercise. And one guy was funded by the PGA - I think he was doing something with the effects of visualization on golf expertise or something.... as I said, very interesting & they tended to get really riled up when anyone called them "PE Teachers" :D

As I recall, all of them were PTs pursuing their doctorates. But I think there are Masters programs in Kinesiology also - maybe that would be an option? Create your own career path?

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So, if making the extra money is more important to you, then go into nursing recognizing that you're not going to have much opportunity to pursue your current interests, and you're going to be a nurse, practicing nursing, watching the PTs do all the stuff that you're really interested in. Or make a little less money and enjoy your job more. FWIW, the PTs and OTs I've known over the years have been a lot happier and more satisfied about being PTs and OTs than most the nurses I've known have been about being nurses. Everything in life is a choice.

I'd say that lines up with my experiences, as well.

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