R.N. Going To Massage Therapy School

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Jan 9, 2013

Welcome Back!

Post moved to own thread in Nurse message therapy for best response.

RoyalNurse · Jan 18, 2013

So cool, good for you!! I'm a VA RN, graduated from massage therapy school last August, I now work at a Massage Envy in VA for experience, my plan is to become a subcontractor for the nursing homes in the area to provide massage for their residents. It was difficult to memorize all the muscles and their actions, and to get into the massage "vibe". It's a whole different world. :). You can PM me if you have any questions, I have some cool neuromuscular therapy and myofascial release books as well.

CulturedFool · Jan 23, 2013

I've been on the fence about this for quite some time. I've researched several schools in the area and it seems every time I'm about to pull the trigger some life event gets in the way. Things are good now and I've begun to consider it again but have a few concerns. First, and I hate to be this way, I am concerned about the pay. Then there is the time constraints of going to school and working with family obligations and all but I suppose that's more of an excuse than anything.

Nursejelly · Jan 31, 2013

I love it, I have been doing medical massage for 26 years and love it! I am entering my third semester of nursing school and also love it. I started with medical massage and continued my education over the years with ayurvedic massage, swedish, reflexology, and lypossage. I worked at a day spa for a couple of years so added warmstone massage and all the body treatments. So rewarding to help others and they always are happy to see you! I am now very excited to go into nursing and use my compassion to help people in another way. I say go for it, it's inspiring to do something new. It doesn't matter how old you are, I am 52 and I hope to work for many years to come!

luvnlfe,LMT · Feb 20, 2013

I am a clinical massage therapist attending nursing school for my BSN. I love massage and the therapeutic aspects of it.

chris2732 · Jun 17, 2013

Smilingrn1, how is the massage program going for you? So far so good?

....I am an Experienced CA R.N. who will be beginning Massage Therapy school in a few weeks...anyone out there who has done the same, considering doing the same, or have any comments or suggestions for me? I am very much more interested in wellness vs illness, and want to get up each day loving what i do for a living and to be able to work for myself and control my income...I am interested in starting a mobile chair massage business, but will also do full body massages...ANYONE?????

TBlase · Jul 10, 2013

Hmm. Strangest post yet to be seen on AN. For starters, the state of CA is the only state that does not require a certification to be a 'massage therapist'. It's voluntary to obtain that certification. Also, for an RN to go to school to be a 'massage therapist' is rather like a physician going back to school to be an 'intern'. It makes no sense. Aside from that, I know a few people that work at spas, and places like Massage Envy- they make little more than minimum wage, unless they are tipped WELL. For example- if a client pays $49 a month to M.E., they then might pay $29 for a massage- and the 'masseur' gets about $13, plus tips. That's for an hour of hard work. Are you going to go to a massage school for $15,000 so you can reduce your pay to that? Aside from the above, in many states a nurse can provide massage as it is, within the confines of the nurse practice act, without going to massage school. I hope this information will make a few people research what is reality, before they dive down the rabbit hole.

TBlase · Jul 10, 2013

Another interesting fact- in California, you can take the bar exam without having a law degree, and even without graduating from college- maybe you can look into that process? There are several hurdles and pre-exams required, but many of the educational requirements can be 'tested out' of.

shmorgan3 · Aug 23, 2013

Wow. As a massage therapist in CA for the last 12 years I'm not sure where you are getting your info from. California requires all massage therapists to be certified through the California Massage Therapy council. To qualify for certification you need a minimum of 250 hours of training from an approved school. I've never worked anywhere where they overlooked this law. Additionally therapeutic massage is not within a nurses scope of practice, nursing school is very clear on the difference between massaging a patients sore spot and providing therapeutic massage. Also, as a massage therapist I have never made less than $50 an hour, I usually make at least $70. I encourage anyone to supplement their nursing education with massage therapy training. As I complete my last year in a BSN program I am constantly seeing the benefit of my previous and ongoing training in massage.

MendedHeart · Aug 23, 2013

This is not completely true. In a RN position, a nurse CAN practice therapeutic massage, we were taught effleurage, and other swedish and deep techniques, however a RN cannot go outside a healthcare setting and offer "therapeutic massage" as an unlicensed individual.

Its is definitely within our scope of practice. Why wouldnt be, we do many invasive(this is non invasive) and skilled things

ThePhilster · Sep 1, 2013

I'm a massage therapist and in my junior year for BSN. If you want the best massage techniques for injuries and pain management, the best types are: Tui na chinese massage, Trigger point therapy, myofascial release, craniosacral, and chiropractic techniques.

I've been taught by the best in the business for therapeutic massage. My teacher has 30+ years of experience.

Since I'm still in school I don't know how much of this stuff I'll be able to use as a nurse. (Probably at least some, but for legal reasons, I'll probably be restricted.)