The term fitness is common, and we often hear it combined with health. We see many people trying to stay fit by following a fitness routine in walking or the gym. Fitness entails both mental and physical aspects because our health is more than just the mere absence of disease. Suppose we are physically healthy and facing some issues mentally. In that case, we cannot declare ourselves healthy unless we treat the underlying problems causing us mental distress. Fitness, when combined with health, refers to physical fitness. Experts define physical fitness as one’s ability to perform daily activities with strength. It also refers to a person’s ability to manage diseases, fatigue, reduced sedentary behavior, and stress.
Some unfortunate events like an accident can lead us to chronic injuries leaving us bedridden for months. Our muscles and joints enable us to move. With prolonged periods of diminished movements, we might struggle to move our limbs again. That is why people who remove their casts after a fracture need assistance to get their arm or leg moving. Many athletes have bid farewell to their careers because of injuries leaving them dismembered for life. Athletes and patients seeking assistance with their physical fitness rely on a fitness nurse or a coach guiding them back to regular movements.
The field of fitness nursing is still emerging, and many nurses may struggle to find a fitness nurse job. Pursuing a career as a fitness nurse can help an individual explore different work settings. These nurses can work in surgical recovery centers, cardiac rehabilitation, sports medicine, hospitals, and corporations.
Are you a nurse practitioner looking for a career as a fitness nurse? Here is what you can do.
- Relevant education
Nurses working in different hospital settings have either a BSN or MSN degree enabling them to start their career as nurse practitioners or registered nurses. To work as a fitness nurse, one can expand their education by acquiring online post master’s certificate nurse practitioner programs. It offers skills and knowledge suitable for a fitness nurse. A degree in nursing equips an individual with the basic skills and knowledge required in this field. Working as a fitness nurse entails knowledge of human anatomy, joints, and muscle function. As a fitness nurse, they are responsible for assist a patient with the proper exercise and movement, leading them towards full recovery. Guiding a patient through correct body posture is vital for their recovery. A fitness nurse possesses knowledge about various combinations of exercises and their impact on the body.
- Training or internships
Regular nurses deal with emergency cases, patients seeking medical attention, or recording the history of new patients. Transitioning from a registered nurse practitioner to a fitness nurse may not be as easy as it sounds. Nurses working at hospitals have expertise in diagnosing patients based on their symptoms. Still, a fitness nurse must know about issues and solutions related to exercise and body movements. Getting to work as a fitness nurse means you will need a lot more than just a license or a certificate. Enrolling yourself in training or internship programs can help in gaining the skills that can come in handy.
- Staying up to date
Health and fitness techniques are constantly changing. The exercises have modified over time, and working out has become fun for many people. Working as a fitness nurse means you must know about other health and wellness programs and their pros and cons. You can follow different fitness nursing blogs, read magazines or subscribe to some shows offering updated information relevant to your niche. Working as a fitness nurse entails helping people to achieve their fitness goals with proper guidelines. A fitness nurse can also help develop fitness and exercise plans based on a patient’s fitness and dietary goals.
- Seeking a mentor
If you are a registered nurse looking to shift your career in fitness nursing, you will need all the help you can get. As someone new to this field, any guide or support is valuable to help you kickstart your career as a fitness nurse. You can connect with the nurses working in sports medicine to learn all you need for your career in this field. Reading books, blogs, and other resources is helpful, but someone working in the area can give you a detailed insight into the things you may face while working.
- Networking
No matter where you are or what profession you have, networking has become an essential tool for every career pathway. Connecting with relevant people and telling them about your interests can help you get to your desired field. Attending seminars, conferences, or volunteering in different events can help connect people working in fitness nursing. Attending workshops and educational lectures on fitness nursing will help you explore additional opportunities to understand this field even better.
Conclusion
Fitness nursing revolves around integrating disease prevention, physical training, and wellness. Fitness nurses help their clients live a healthy lifestyle by following a fitness routine and a well-designed nutrition plan. Many people are now focusing on their physical fitness and trying to follow different exercise and diet plans. Following a diet plan or an exercise without any knowledge can lead to several injuries during a workout. Fitness nurses can facilitate people in cardiac rehabilitation centers, athletes, and patients recovering from chronic illnesses.
