How do you get into RN massage?

nurseyperson · Dec 30, 2003

To avoid lots of typing and repeating myself, look at my post under the subject "payment for services from third parties"

I am an RN and a Nationally Certified MT doing massage thru the Dr. office/hospital/nursing home combination here in our small town. But I am not doing it as an RN, altho they really don't know how to classify me. I get paid whatever I bring in,

(and that depends on what insurance pays... or the patient if insurance refuses or hasn't met their deductible or has a copay) ..........sort of a contract labor but they take out taxes.

So I am not really working as an RN. If you can find a forward thinking facility that will allow you to do both, go for it. But I am sure they will pay you as an RN by the hour if you go by that title and will be stuck in that pay grade. So you may have to work under physical therapy to do massage as an MT, and that won't be combining RN and MT, except how you use your knowledge, and PT sometimes doesn't like massage therapists.

I do use my RN / medical knowledge all the time, but I am not doing "nursing".

Look around, ask around, Make your own rules and your own job. It never hurts to go for it!!! But you may have to set up your own program in the hospital, clinic, etc. and have to make the policies, procedures, etc. it you are setting it up.

healingtouchRN · Jan 14, 2004

just got accepted to a triple certification massage program here in AL. Starts in may & will take a year for parttime student like me. I am looking forward to the review in A & P & learning new hands on techniques. My clients love to be touched.

zenman · Jan 15, 2004

I went to the Academy of Oriental Medicine to study acupuncture and we had to also take bodywork courses. I liked Zen Shiatsu so much I dropped acupuncture and majored in Zen Shiatsu.

nurseyperson · Jan 22, 2004

To healingtouchRN

What is your triple certification? Sounds interesting!!!

nurseyperson

healingtouchRN · Jan 23, 2004

The program I will start in May is @ Montgomery School of Bodywork & Massage & the triple cert will be in 1) orthopaedic massage, 2) therapeutic massage, & 3) spa techniques. Will take a year part time since I still have a regular job or two :rolleyes: & if I was a kept woman I could finish in 7 months fulltime...oh well, so much for being a kept woman! I guess I am just kept working! :chuckle It's a private school, so pricey. I think I'll make it up in time with a good client base.

SUZ_RN · Feb 26, 2004

sounds like a great program. I'm an RN and have a WI Massage Certification WAS NCBTMB but dropped it due to not keeping up with it and nursing school took up all my time. So, I've been working as an RN with Massage on the side for family and friends.

But I'm moving to FLorida and interested in getting back into Massage part time.

Any suggestions? Anyone know FLorida laws with transferring or accepting certification from out of state?

nightingale, RN · Apr 21, 2004

sounds like a great program. I'm an RN and have a WI Massage Certification WAS NCBTMB but dropped it due to not keeping up with it and nursing school took up all my time. So, I've been working as an RN with Massage on the side for family and friends.
But I'm moving to FLorida and interested in getting back into Massage part time.
Any suggestions? Anyone know FLorida laws with transferring or accepting certification from out of state?

Sorry it took so long to post a reply. I have the following Home Page bookmarked from Massage Magazine; it has the legal information you had asked about by state. Here is Florida's info:

http://www.massagemagazine.com/USCan/florida.htm

Laws & Regulations

FLORIDA

Number of credentialed practitioners in this state: 22,695

Phone (850) 245-4161

Web Site http://www.doh.state.fl.us

Title Massage Therapist

Type of Credential License

Required Education 500 hours

Written or Practical Exam Written exam

NCETMB* Used Yes

Renewal Fee $155 for 2 years

CEUs Required 24 every 2 years

*National Certification Exam for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork- visit NCBTMB

-- I hope this helps you!

SpencerRN,LMT · Jan 12, 2005

Please take a look at http://www.nanmt.org the nursing specialty organization for massage therapists. I'm excited that you are interested in nurse massage therapy and the organization, staff and board members will be glad to help you answer these questions. Email the association and information will be sent. Good luck

Does anyone out there practice massage as an RN and in a medical facility? How did you get started? Do you recommend it?
I am a massage therapist. I have an IL RN license, but have not nursed in 12 yrs. Looking into the reentry in GA.

nightingale, RN · Jan 19, 2005

It is good to see this thread still active.

Spencer, thanks for posting. I am fortunate that in our state, of Colorado, I am not required to have a State License (LMT) to practice and can preceptor under a colleague to get my Certified Massage Therapist (CMT). I plan to do this in the spring...

healer_energy · Jun 11, 2005

I have been a nursing in various settings for 25 years and have been an LMT for 3 years. I also do energy healing, I have a Master's Degree in Nursing and I have been an educator. I desperately want to some combination of massage and energy healing at the bedside, to relieve stress, pain and so forth. I don't really want to do whole sessions in a separate room or over an hour but just to spent 15 - 20 mins with people who are just desperate for some relief from fear, pain and anxiety. I am interested in hospice and chronic illnesses. I live near Albany New York and even though I know some of this work is being done, there is not a whisper of it on the hospital websites. I am even willing to do it as a volunteer, at least for a while. But I also require some sort of status and respect, as well and I feel that payment might be necessary for that, at least in the eyes of others. It is so hard to know who to apply to, even. And the religious angle is not available to me because I just can't pretend to be Christian. I am working on creating a letter that can introduce me and state what I want to do. I would love to get some help with that and some suggestions on how to get it to those who could do me some good.

yves · Jun 11, 2005

I have just opened my own office hopefully to a clinic. I went to Doctors with my idea and they had pts that needed my help. The kind of massage that I do insurances pay for lymphedema. I am getting wonderful support from the medical community but it took about six to eight months of talking investigating hiring an attorney. I am still working on ideas for medicare billing in my office versus in the office of the doc but we are headed in the right track. Look at all your options what you love to do and make a plan that is believable and beneficial for the docs plan. Then I took a business class and did a business plan. Viola!!!! My office opens Monday and I have a waiting list of pts. Dont let people tell you it can be done believe research and plan. Good luck!!!! Yvonne