What type of education is needed to be a nurse massage therapist.

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I was told by a friend that an RN can give a "relaxation" massage vs. a "therapeutic" massage without any further education. Is this true? We were taught is nursing school to give massages, especially after a bath or prior to hs.

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Specializes in ICU, ER, HH, NICU, now FNP.

most states require a massage therapy license or certificate of some sort in order to be able to perform massage services in exchange for money. To obtain that license or cert, it MIGHT be possible that there are states who might say a nurse could do that - I don't personally know of any.

Texas is pretty specific - I would suspect most other places are too. I dont know of any nursing programs that offer the following within their curriculum:

Texas Department of State Health Services, Massage Therapy Licensing Program - Apply for a New License - Massage Therapist

A post bath relaxtion back rub is not really considered a massage. You aren't hanging a shingle out and drawing in customers to pay you for massages.

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I was not thinking about massage for money , but as a service that is always included with with a Botox or Restylane treatment. Like "Free relaxation massage with every injectable treatment." It would be a neck and upper shoulder relaxarion massage prior to tx.

What do you guys think?

most states require a massage therapy license or certificate of some sort in order to be able to perform massage services in exchange for money. To obtain that license or cert, it MIGHT be possible that there are states who might say a nurse could do that - I don't personally know of any.

Texas is pretty specific - I would suspect most other places are too. I dont know of any nursing programs that offer the following within their curriculum:

Texas Department of State Health Services, Massage Therapy Licensing Program - Apply for a New License - Massage Therapist

A post bath relaxtion back rub is not really considered a massage. You aren't hanging a shingle out and drawing in customers to pay you for massages.

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Specializes in ICU, ER, HH, NICU, now FNP.

I would probably check with your state regs on that one - both with the folks who regulate massage therapists and nurses. Doing it may be fine. Advertising it may be where it gets sticky.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

It only requires a few weeks of education and training to become a certified massage therapist. To be on the safe side, I would go ahead and earn the certification. I did this 6 years ago.

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Specializes in Gyn, dermatology, aesthetics, wellness.

Only a few weeks? I didn't know that. I thought it was at least several months of training including so many hundred hours of hands on massage. I need to look that up again then.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

It was three months and 100 clinical hours of massage when I took the program 6 years ago. However, I fully realize that mandates might have changed a whole lot within the past 6 years.

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Was this a course specifically for RN's? Where could I find out about this?

It was three months and 100 clinical hours of massage when I took the program 6 years ago. However, I fully realize that mandates might have changed a whole lot within the past 6 years.
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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
Was this a course specifically for RN's? Where could I find out about this?
None of the people in my classes were nurses. Everybody in the massage therapy class was a layperson.
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Specializes in CICU.

Check: Welcome to the NANMT!

ABMP

Fibril_late

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Specializes in ICU,ER,Transport,Education, Camp RN.

Massage liscensing varies greatly from state to state in the U.S. Check with the state you are interested in for required credentials. Liscensed Massage Therapists (LMT) in Ohio are required to complete approx. 800 hours of massage technique and anatomy and physiology. Liscensing is regulated by the State MEDICAL Board, you must pass a board exam just like Nursing boards, and complete CEU's q 2yrs.

In other states,all you need a weekend workshop.

In Canada, you need over 2000 hours of training to be considered a massage therapist.

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Specializes in Interested in cardio/ER/triage, ICU, CCU.

In Florida, when I was licensed in 2000 we had to have 500 hours and six months, plus pass the NCBTMB exam. For info on each state's regulations you can go to www.ncbtmb.org (It's the National Board for Massage Therapy). I think Texas is 1000 hours, but won't swear to it. Some states do not regulate massage therapy, you can hang your shingle and be open for business with little regulation. States such as California specifically are governed broadly and each city regulates the practice even further. However, this may have changed I haven't looked into these things in a couple years. ABMP (Associated Bodywork/Massage Professionals) keeps a running tally of who, what, when and how much on its website, which is very informative as well at: www.abmp.com

Also, there is a Nurse Massage Therapist organization at www.nanmt.org

Hope this helps. :)

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