Fitness Nursing

[pedsnurse112]

Hi everyone! I am currently working as a NICU nurse and am ready to transition to something new. My passion has been in fitness and health for quite a while now, and I am hoping to somehow incorporate nursing with this. Anyone have any ideas or recommendations on how to do this? I know there is always personal training or that kind of job, but would really like to do something that involves nursing as well. Thanks in advance!

[windsurfer8, BSN, RN]

I have never heard of anything even remotely related. You may need to come up with your own business idea. Most experts in fitness are not generally nurses. Most people with fitness/kinesiology issues are going to go the PT/OT route for help. And if they want to get in shape they are going to a personal trainer. Not sure how a NICU nurse will start a business in which they are a "fitness" expert. Who knows...maybe you can figure out something!

[roser13, ASN, RN]

I have never heard of anything even remotely related. You may need to come up with your own business idea. Most experts in fitness are not generally nurses. Most people with fitness/kinesiology issues are going to go the PT/OT route for help. And if they want to get in shape they are going to a personal trainer. Not sure how a NICU nurse will start a business in which they are a "fitness" expert. Who knows...maybe you can figure out something!

Ditto. I think you will need to re-invent the concept of fitness training in order to sell yourself, a NICU nurse, as a nursing fitness & health consultant.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Other than starting a monetized fitness-related blog or opening an all women's gym, I do not see how you would be able to eke out a living as a 'fitness nurse.'

Here's the issue: if Medicare and major insurers will not reimburse you for your services, you'll be dependent on privately-paying clientele. And in this era of cash-strapped people, unhealthy vices (e.g. ciggies, gambling, dollar menu fast food) sell quicker than fitness items.

Perhaps you have a better imagination than me, but successful businesses generally offer a good or service that many people want. Good luck to you.

[tsm007]

I interviewed someone in my area when I was working on a project for school that did something similar. She started her own business and she works as a consultant for corporate health & wellness programs. Not sure how much money is in it, but you could possibly look into that area.

[Rocknurse, MSN, APRN, NP]

The closest thing I can think of is a sport's medicine department. There's one here in my state and it's awesome. It incorporates many orthopedic specialists and doesn't limit itself to sports. Other than that perhaps working for a recognized team but that's usually reserved for trainers and therapists. Good luck. I wish there was something more recognizable. Sounds like it could be exciting.

[nutella, MSN, RN]

I think you would have to get additional fitness related certifications and training. For example - if you become a certified yoga teacher (different options but you can for example check out Kripalu as they are offering classes and are well known to get an idea) you could offer classes and use the fact that you are also RN to your advantage.

Also, look at weight loss centers -- that business is booming with weight loss surgery and follow ups and perhaps that would be something you are interested in.

If you are a martial artist you can teach classes once you are advanced and perhaps that is something for you.

I think most of those fitness jobs are more of a per per class job and you may not have a regular income. I can imagine that working a RN job at least part time while also exploring other options would be necessary to cover cost of living. Some insurances employ nurses as "wellness coaches" - you can look into that as well.

[mmc51264, BSN, MSN, RN]

I have heard of PT becoming personal trainers or yoga instructors, but not a nurse.

[nutella, MSN, RN]

I have heard of PT becoming personal trainers or yoga instructors, but not a nurse.

In fact - I know nurses who have become yoga teachers.... but most of them have to keep some kind of nursing job to pay for living.

[ohiobobcat]

A co-worker of mine (RN) got a job as a corporate wellness program coordinator. She worked for a national company and put wellness incentive programs in place for employees. She traveled all over the country making visits to various corporate sites, meeting with employees. She also wrote a Wellness blog for the company as well. She is a fitness nut and she loved the opportunity to help people make healthier lifestyle choices. That's the only nursing job I know of even remotely related to what you are thinking.

[llg, PhD, RN]

We have a Nurse Practitioner who runs our employee wellness program.

[Nacki, MSN, NP]

I'm appalled at how negative some of these comments are. OP, if you want to start your own business and your passion is fitness, go with it! You're just going to have to think out the box. As any business owner should know, you shouldn't expect your business to be profitable right away. It may be a couple of years before you get where you want to be. Use your nursing job to fund your dream.

The first thing that came to mind after reading your post was "why not start a mommy & me fitness program?" You could have a studio, offer childcare for the new mommies if they don't want the babies to participate, teach them how to incorporate exercise with a newborn, make videos, classes and books and sell them online....the possibilities are endless. You don't actually have to teach the classes if you don't want to, hire people who are already certified in yoga, pilates, etc or come up with your own program!

Remember to put pen to paper and jot down your ideas to come up with a proper business plan. Good luck!