I was wondering what you all thought about the legal and/or ethical issues that may arise by being a part of a high contact sport when you are a nurse. If there is a high likelyhood that participants of the sport will be injured (possibly by you), how would you approach this? I am interested in joining a sport after I finish nursing school and have a life again, but I feel like as a nurse I would be limited in what would be acceptable.
I was wondering what you all thought about the legal and/or ethical issues that may arise by being a part of a high contact sport when you are a nurse. If there is a high likelyhood that participants of the sport will be injured (possibly by you), how would you approach this? I am interested in joining a sport after I finish nursing school and have a life again, but I feel like as a nurse I would be limited in what would be acceptable.
Thanks for your thoughts!
Who cares. Lots of nurses train MMA, bjj, boxing, etc
And as far as I can tell, a nurses 3day/12 hour work weeks, work awesome with training schedules.
I practice Tae Kwon Do ITF style. When we spar (fight) it's full contact. The only protective gear we use are hand covers (to keep us from breaking our own hands) and foot covers (to keep us from breaking our feet).
It's not a problem.
You are overthinking it. When you join a school such as martial arts, you sign waivers and stuff for insurance. If you are worried about someone suing you because you beat the crap out of them good for you! You probably won that fight hands down!
I have hurt people when sparring but it comes with the territory. I've also been hurt. It happens.
Stop overthinking this. If it's something you REALLY want to do........do it!
I would not have the mental clarity I do if it weren't for this awesome stress release.
Your responses are reassuring. I guess I am concerned since the sport I am considering is so unconventional, girls roller derby. My husband is an MMA fighter (not a nurse), but I have heard of nurses doing that. I know as a nurse we are to behave in a moral manner. As a nurse, is it moral to crash into someone for sport? Even if you aren't intending harm, but just to win the game. I guess I am just so focused on helping people heal, it seems counterintuitive. I just wanted to get your thoughts.
Theres a bunch of nurses participating in girls roller derby around here. Its freakin hilarious to watch. Everyone knows what they're signing up for. Its not any different than cops & firefighters being on ice hockey teams.
I don't understand the problem. What does being involved in sports have to do with your career as a nurse? Who is is you think is going to allow, or disallow, your choice of extracurricular activities?
Confused.
I agree. When you walk out of the hospital, you're on your own time. What you do during your time off is your business. We've got RN's who do triathlons, marathons, surf and ride motorycycles during their time off . . . a few have been injured, but life happens!!
On several occasions I noticed bruises on the arms of a nurse I work with. One day I noticed some scrapes on the back of her arms & some bruising on her neck. After work I asked her about it. She “divulged” that she & her husband enjoy some “light masochism.” In the context of the nursing role, how is her situation different from doing roller derby? How could this effect patient care? Is it acceptable?
as someone who has just gotten back into skiing and getting life insurance, let me say that risky sports *might* limit your coverage. Though I also think being a participant in life and doing the things that you love also means assuming that risk you might get hurt. As a nurse, I don't think it has anything to do with anything. Your outside life and your professional life don't mix. Harming someone during a sport has nothing to do with being a nurse. You're not on the job at that time. I'm assuming that's what you mean. Unless you mean you don't want to participate in high risk sports/activities because you might harm yourself and not be able to work??
On several occasions I noticed bruises on the arms of a nurse I work with. One day I noticed some scrapes on the back of her arms & some bruising on her neck. After work I asked her about it. She "divulged" that she & her husband enjoy some "light masochism." In the context of the nursing role, how is her situation different from doing roller derby? How could this effect patient care? Is it acceptable?
Personally I feel like whatever happens in the bedroom is up to them, but evidence of sexual activity is not professional. I feel like that's filed under the same thing as a hickey. Bruising/etc isn't really what the OP was asking about here, though - she wanted to know if it was ethical to be in a potential to harm someone inadvertently in an impact sport, so that is how it's different. So I don't think it's unethical to either participate in a sport or have a kinky sex life, but you should attempt to look professional for work. Collars and long-sleeve shirts can do wonders to cover up some particularly nasty bruises.
I would inquire about it if it continued to show up just because if it's enough to bruise visibly, I worry about the potential for domestic abuse going on and her covering it up.
When I was in the ER from my horse riding accident ( talk about high risk ) my nurse was a derby girl and now I'm strapping on the skates so I can be a derby girl too. We are nurses not saints. Ironic I got "recruited" while I had a broken wrist and nose HA!
Specializes in Emergency, Cardiac, PAT/SPU, Urgent Care.
Add me to the list of a high contact sport competitor. I am involved in karate and as an earlier poster mentioned, it's full contact. I never even thought twice about it and certainly wouldn't now. Go and have fun!
SummitRN, BSN, RN
2 Articles; 1,567 Posts
I did, am, and will continue to participate in extreme gravity sports.