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Discussion

Dance + Nursing

I will be graduating in May 2021 with my BSN. I am super stoked and things are going swimmingly, aside from the whole pandemic thing (or “the old pandooskie” as I like to refer to it). I am very interested in L&D as well and have been lining myself up for an L&D career that could one day lead to a MSN or PhD midwife degree.

The thing is, I have a passion for ballet, used to dance professionally, teach dance, and will NEVER NOT be in love with dance. I would have gone to PT school, but I wanted to learn about pathologies, how the life-sustaining functions of the body work, and how to save lives! I’m very passionate about nursing as well.

It’s a bit of a stretch (no pun intended), but are there any other dancing nurses out there? Do you know of any ways I could combine nursing and dance to make a career? Perhaps a holistic care center? I thought about getting a dance therapy graduate degree, but that would cost quite a lot of money, and I don’t know if the degree would pay itself off.

Perhaps I should work an OB job full time and start a dance business side hustle? My hometown dance studio owner would also like to leave her business to me in her will, so that’s another consideration!

The thing is, I would love to combine dance and nursing because I think nursing experience provides a dimension of understanding of the body that is often lacking in the dance world (and other athletic activities). Physical therapists are so, so important and know so many things that nurses do not, but nurses also know important things that physical therapists do not.

Any ideas?

Thanks guys!  

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    Congratulations on graduating soon! Becoming a nurse opens a world of opportunities. I also love dance, and I wish I pursued it professionally. Now I am currently trying to combine nursing and my other passion for writing and background in journalism/public relations. Working as a nurse in the hospital full time eventually leads to burnout because of the long hours, physical and mental demands, administration policies and overtime. However, the clinical expertise that you gain as a hospital nurse is extremely important. Be sure to make time for self-care, protect your back and wear compression socks. Your core strength as a dancer will help tremendously as a nurse. How exciting that you’re interested in OB/L&D! Keep networking in that unit and/or apply for an externship there. If you work full time, start a savings fund for your dance side hustle. When your budget allows, work part time so that dance takes center stage. ? I agree that when you combine the two careers, becoming a holistic nurse and opening a dance therapy center will be fantastic and fulfilling. Keep following your dreams! Good luck!

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    This might just be a little off, but .... had a classmate in NS. Nice gal, slender but tomboyish. She was gangly and her gait just 'lopped'. She bounced. For whatever her reasons, she started taking adult ballet lessons. She couldn't have been in class more than 6 months when she just 'blossomed' into that 'graceful swan'. Her walk, gait, balance, motion, etc all-over, she just glided.

    Years later, I went on a diet and lost a lot of wt - lots of wt - like a whole big person lots of wt. My balance was so off - I believe it was that my whole center of gravity was now soo different. Dang, I had hip bruises where I would be banging into tables when I walked. My gait clip-clopped.

    Well, I remembered that NS classmate and I figured I'd sign up for a new adult ballet studio opening. I was sooo thrilled that I bought myself a couple lycra leotard suits, a flowing wrap-around skirt and the cutest pair pink ballet slippers.

    Night of that first class, instructor had us stand 'first position' and then SQUAT. OH, NO! My knees were so bad from all my excessive wt. So I just enjoyed the rest of class as I could. But I still cherish those little pink ballet slippers!!

    Getting back to your query - I could see a nurse like you running a 'ballet' exercise class for pregnant mommies or for post-moms to lose wt. More just gentle exercising but could include movements. I think there's yoga, but I'd be more ready to take a ballet class. To me, 'ballet' sounds more graceful than 'yoga'.

    Just a thought for all my ramblings.

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    Be a tik tok nurse. Dance + Nursing combined

    You’re welcome

    Jokes aside I wish you the best of luck - no advice here because I have no exprience

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    hi! I used to dance ballet in a pre professional company and taught it all through college! Sadly...due to nursing burnout and long hours I stopped dancing...I recently re took it as a hobby and it s been hard but so rewarding!! I honestly have no idea how to combine both...but after 5 years in ICU's and long hospital hours im definitely looking into changing things up so any ideas are welcome as well ? 

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