Weight management Nurse

[ltwins93]

Hello everyone! I have a question concerning nursing specialities. I am hoping to begin nursing school soon. My passion is weight management and nutrition education from a medical aspect. Before beginning a nursing program, I want to be sure that nursing is a fit for me. I love motivating and encouraging people to achieve their potentials and meet goals they thought were unattainable. I worked as a Medical Transcriptionist for the VA, and they have weight management clinics, but is this common in the civilian world? Is this mostly managed by RD's instead of nurses? I have also spoke with a CDE, and that seems to be an option as well. Any suggestions?:typing

[vampiregirl, BSN, RN]

We had a former supervisor where I work leave to take a position in a hospital program for weight loss/ management. I believe she was going to monitor clients for medical issues, but also provide encouragement and support. So, positions like this do exist.

[leslie :-D]

the bulk of these positions would likely be in hmo's.

leslie

[GigiRN,MSN]

the bulk of these positions would likely be in hmo's.

leslie

There are plenty of weight management doctors and there are certainly plenty of overweight people who are not in HMO's

[litbitblack, ASN, RN]

I would definately think with the new booming gastric bypass thing that nurses have a special role. You would have to check at some places that are certified bariatric centers for excellence or some that are looking to get certified. The focus is definately preventative health and eating healthy now a days

[AWanderingMinstral]

Yes, these programs DO exist. I worked as a registered nurse (for only a couple of months) for a weight management and wellness center associated with the local children's hospital. It is an effort to prevent children from becoming morbidly obese and, as a result, developing type II diabetes. It has ties with endocrinology.

As someone correctly stated, you may have better luck working for a large health insurance conglomerate. They employ nurses to provide education on topics INCLUDING weight management and wellness (as an effort to prevent cardiovascular diseases, etc.). A friend is a vice president for one such company and I know that they DO hire people (largely nurses) to do this.

Finally, IF you have any interest in fitness, you may consider becoming a certified personal trainer and starting your own business in the future. I imagine, especially in large® cities, there is a demand for fitness trainers who are also either registered nurses and/or dieticians.

Good luck!