Rozina Aziz Professional and amateur athletes can benefit from the assistance of sports medicine nurses when they need medical attention. These doctors treat musculoskeletal ailments, such as sprains, tears in ligaments, dislocations, sprains, and fractures. This article defines what is a sports medicine nurse and describes their job description, required abilities, average compensation, and future job prospects.
What is a Sports Medicine Nurse?
A sports medicine fellowship often qualifies a nurse to practice this medicine. A sports medicine nurse works with a sportsperson to aid musculoskeletal conditions, evaluate injuries, and care for patients while they recover.
Nurses work hard to help their patients recover strength and health. Nurses specializing in sports medicine also instruct athletes on managing pain and avoiding additional injury.
All of the following ailments are addressed by the sports medicine nurses at the hospital:
- Stresses and sprains, most frequently to the hamstrings and ankles
- Sprained joints and broken bones
- Swelling of the synovial fluid sacs that act as a shock absorber for the body’s joints (Bursitis)
- Trauma to the elbow
- Cuts and scrapes
- Muscle fatigue, pain, and injury due to lower back dysfunction or stress fractures.
- Tendonitis is an inflammation of the tendons due to improper technique or overuse
- ACL tears and other knee injuries
- Injury to the Achilles tendon
What do Sports Medicine Nurses do?
Sports medicine nurses specialize in treating chronic and acute injuries that limit mobility, working with athletes and other physically active people.
Here are some of the most typical duties performed by sports medicine nurses:
- Assist medical professionals specializing in sports medicine in treating musculoskeletal trauma.
- Keep an eye out for warning symptoms of athletic injuries.
- Use wound casts and dressings to treat and nurse wounds.
- Manage athletes’ pain management plans, including dosing and monitoring for adverse responses to medications and allergens.
- Athletes should be taught proper techniques for recuperating from surgery and injuries.
- Help athletes recover from musculoskeletal injuries by regaining mobility and strength.
- Consult and collaborate with medical staff to assess, develop, and administer appropriate treatment programs for athletes.
- Athlete pre-op, surgical assistance, and patient release.
- Athletes with musculoskeletal injuries should have access to trauma care.
- Independently or in conjunction with a sports medicine physician, prescribe drugs to injured athletes.
- Laboratory and diagnostic procedures, including ordering, analyzing, and performing tests.
- Provide strategies for care after surgery.
- Provides emergency medical services at sporting events.
Top 10 Abilities of a Successful Sports Medicine Nurse
The field of sports medicine necessitates a certain nurse set, which you’ll need either to start with or to advance in your chosen career. A few examples of medical abilities for sports medicine professionals are:
1. Communication
Superb nurses also tend to be excellent communicators, both orally and in writing. The players receive crucial information from the nurses about handling their health and recovering from injuries. To convey the desired information, professionals should utilize clear, succinct, and exact language in all forms of communication.
2. Compassion
For the most part, sports medicine nurses treat injuries that can be traumatic for the athletes they care for. Exceptional nurses demonstrate empathy for their patients’ plights, which is crucial when caring for athletes.
Athletes need to be shown empathy and understanding so that they can swiftly recover from injuries and return to competition. A loving, encouraging, and empathetic environment will provide the athletes the strength they need to endure their hardships.
3. Decision Making
Decisions about how to treat injured athletes must be made quickly and precisely by sports nurses. If a player is hurt during a game, the sports and doctors can quickly examine the situation, determine the best treatment, and get the wounded player back in the game. In a serious injury, the nurses must act swiftly to remove the athletes from competition to prevent further harm or injury.
4. Teamwork
Nurses who specialize in sports medicine collaborate with physicians who treat sports, fitness instructors, and others involved in the sports industry.
For instance, after an evaluation, a nurse will talk to the athletes and coaches about the findings to ensure everyone is on the same page about the severity of the injury and the next steps for treatment and management. Athletes need everyone involved to work together for a speedy recovery.
5. The use of modern technological devices
Nursing sportspeople require report writing and the maintenance of patient medical records, including those of athletes. Computers are a great way to record and keep track of information.
To be successful, nurses need computer skills. Keeping accurate medical records requires specialized software, and nurses should be familiar with programs like Microsoft Excel and Word.
6. fortitude
Sports nurses may be expected to perform tasks that test their stamina and agility. Athletes who are too injured to walk are carried by nurses.
Nurses also need the stamina to keep working hard for lengthy periods. Doctors and other medical staff members working on athletes spend significant periods on their feet.
7. Time Management
Planning, prioritizing, creating, and executing systems are the cornerstones of effective time management. With focus and preparation, even managing a day-to-day routine becomes feasible. Improving one’s ability to manage one’s time has far-reaching benefits.
8. Capacity to Deal with Stress
The sports nursing staff may come under criticism from trainers and other sports stakeholders if athletes’ recoveries take longer than expected.
Nurses who want to make a name for themselves in the medical industry must handle pressure circumstances calmly and take constructive criticism seriously.
9. Problem-solving
Research is the basis of the sports medicine diagnostic process. Nurses ask wounded athletes about the location and severity of their injuries, assess the situation, and look for answers and causes.
You might train your brain to become adept at solving problems even if you were born without the ability. Though they may share similar symptoms, not all injuries are caused by the same factors. A nurse must discover the root of an injury’s occurrence and implement measures to prevent it.
10. Professionalism
Professionalism in the workplace is shown in the actions and demeanor of a great sports nurse. Great nurses, for instance, treat injured athletes with the same level of respect and kindness regardless of their socioeconomic status. Emotional maturity is demonstrated when registered nurse maintains high standards of care and accuracy.
What responsibilities do sports medicine nurses fulfill?
Depending on the setting, a sports medicine nurse may work longer or shorter hours than the average. You should expect to put in three or four 12-hour days in a hospital every week. In an outpatient situation, you might work five days a week, eight-hour shifts. Potentially, you’ll be working four shifts of ten hours each.
Working with a sports team means your schedule will shift to accommodate hours and games. In this position, you will not be held to regular work hours.
Which qualifications are necessary for a career in Sports Medicine Nursing?
To secure your success as a sports medicine nurse, you should make sure you have the necessary abilities. You’ll need many abilities to succeed in this field as a nurse. You should be able to express yourself clearly and concisely. Working as a sports medicine nurse means caring for people with various injuries and conditions.
Effective communication with these patients is crucial for ensuring they comprehend their diagnosis and subsequent treatment. Having a keen sense of organization is also essential. This is due to the sheer volume of patient files and other medical documents under your care. It would only be easy to meet this position’s expectations if you were well organized.
Being able to keep your cool under pressure is also essential. Time is of the essence in your line of work, so be prepared to work quickly. If you want to give your patients the finest care possible, you need to be able to keep your cool under pressure.
You’ll also need the ability to collaborate effectively with others. You’ll collaborate closely with other medical field experts, such as doctors and physiotherapists. If you want to give your patients the greatest possible treatment, you need to be able to talk to them.
A profession in sports medicine will be a good fit if you possess these qualities. Working is gratifying because you get to help those who need it.
How to become A Sports Medicine Nurse?
Professionals in sports medicine aid athletes in training for competition tend to their injuries and aid in rehabilitation afterward. Know what is expected of you if you want to become a nurse practitioner in sports medicine.
1.
Becoming a registered nurse is the gateway to a career in sports medicine. The options are either one or the other. The first is a certificate in nursing, while the second is a bachelor’s degree.
Keep in mind that a four-year degree is required at a minimum in the nursing field. After completing an R.N. program at the associate level, consider continuing your education at the bachelor’s level.
2.
The next step is to take and complete the National Certification Licensure Exam (NCLEX)
3.
The next step is to apply for a state license to the jurisdiction where you intend to work.
4.
It would help if you were considered for sports medicine nurse positions. Other places to get this kind of practical knowledge include clinics that assist people recovering from musculoskeletal procedures or treat those who have suffered bone fractures.
5.
Also, the Orthopedic Nurses Certification Board offers certification in orthopedic nursing that can be useful to you.
6.
If you’re serious about staying ahead of the curve, becoming an orthopedic nurse practitioner is another excellent option. You can expand your career options by becoming a nurse practitioner.
What is the importance of sports medicine?
When considering the health of the general populace, sports medicine is an important area of study. The field of sports medicine serves as an important bridge between the general practitioner and the orthopedic Surgeon.
The vast majority of sports who sustain an injury can avoid surgery. As a result of their injuries, many people need to see a specialist in rehabilitation rather than a general practitioner. Yet, in most cases, an immediate appointment with a surgeon is unnecessary. It’s commonly believed that sports medicine professionals only deal with athletes. Many people who don’t play a sport get hurt. In the same way, they require rehabilitation services.
Medical training, medicine of human movement, exercise science, and experience with injury rehabilitation are all prerequisites for a career in sports medicine. Professionals in the medical and nursing fields of sports medicine can aid people of various backgrounds recover from injuries and returning to normal activities.
Opportunities as a Sports Medicine Nurse
An education in exercise science applies to a wide variety of professions. Many opportunities exist in the field of sports medicine. Some sports medicine occupations are part-time, while others are full-time.
Possessing either a master’s, doctoral or bachelor’s degree will provide you with the opportunity to pursue a career in a field you enjoy.
Orthopedic Surgeon
Becoming an orthopedic surgeon requires significant time and effort as part of the sports medicine profession First; you need to earn a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field emphasizing science.
Prerequisites are requirements that you must fulfill before applying to medical school. A medical doctorate is required upon completion of an undergraduate degree. You’ll require a medical degree, with an orthopedics specialty preferred.
After completing medical school, you’ll need to go on to a residency in orthopedic surgery. An orthopedic surgeon residency will equip you with the knowledge and skills to practice independently after completion. The average annual income for an orthopedic surgeon is around $300,000. Prospects for advancement inside the company are promising as well.
From 2018 to 2028, opportunities for doctors and surgeons of all specialties are expected to increase by 7%. You should consider being an orthopedic surgeon if you have a high I.Q., are highly self-motivated, and can perform well under pressure.
Doctor of Sports Medicine
Consider becoming a sports medicine physician to help people who have suffered from sports injuries or other musculoskeletal injuries but don’t want to do surgery. Specialists in injury care, these specialists know more than general practitioners.
However, if the injury is serious, the sports medicine doctor will recommend you to an orthopedic surgeon. Sports medicine professionals frequently interact with patients from many walks of life.
Athletes seeking treatment for sports-related ailments will make up many of the clinic’s clientele. Injured players aren’t the only people who may seek medical attention; non-athletes (often the elderly) can also suffer from musculoskeletal and orthopedic issues.
To pursue a career as a sports medicine doctor, one must obtain an undergraduate degree in relevant scientific areas and be accepted to medical school, similar to the requirements for orthopedic surgeons. One last requirement is a medical degree with a focus on sports medicine.
Above, we see projections for the future job market for doctors and surgeons at a healthy 7%. On average, a doctor specializing in sports medicine may count on a salary of over $200,000. Gaining experience will probably result in a pay raise.
Exercise Physiologist/Kinesiologist
A career in kinesiotherapy (also known as exercise physiology) is up your alley if you have a knack for designing unique workout plans and take pleasure in guiding people to their health and fitness goals. Kinesiotherapy collaborates with medical professionals. They encourage patients to adopt physical activity as a means of disease management.
Experts in this field may devise plans to aid patients in dealing with ongoing health issues and recovering from injuries. Individuals may incorporate aquatic therapy, orthotics, or prosthetics into their exercise routines and more conventional exercise strategies. Kinesiotherapy is an expanding field with a bright career outlook. The BLS projects a 10% increase in employment from 2018-2028 in this sector.
Kinesiotherapy makes a little over $50,000 annually on average. Unlocking career potential in Kinesiotherapy with a Bachelor’s degree in kinesiology, Sports Medicine, or Exercise Science! To be a certified kinesiotherapy, you must complete and successfully receive the American Kinesiotherapy Association’s certification exam.
Specialist in Sports Psychology
Although sports psychologists aren’t technically part of the sports medicine discipline, they play a crucial role in recovering injured sports. Those trained in sports psychology might find employment in a variety of fields.
Occasionally, professional sports teams will employ the services of a sports psychologist. These psychologists might also find employment in healthcare or rehabilitation facilities. Others might go into private practice or become consultants.
The degree requirements for a career in sports psychology are unique from those of most other fields because the subject requires both medical and psychological training. You will require at least a master’s degree and preferably a Ph.D. in psychology.
On the other hand, if you want to get the most out of your undergraduate education, you should double major in psychology and kinesiology or exercise science. In a few universities, students can earn a bachelor’s or master’s degree in sports psychology.
Few other fields on this list are developing as quickly as this one. Between 2018 and 2028, the BLS predicts 14% growth for the occupation of a sports psychologist. Sports psychologists make an average annual salary of $79,600.
Healthcare Provider
If you want to enter the area of sports medicine but want to devote your entire career to something other than it, becoming a physician’s assistant is an excellent option. Typically, PAs will assist doctors in their practices. Physician Assistants can assess, diagnose, and treat injuries and diseases, as well as being able to provide certain prescriptions.
A bachelor’s degree is usually required to become a physician’s assistant. You probably will only be considered if you have one. These requirements are often very comparable to those of medical schools. Many forms of biology education are included.
Bachelor’s degrees in kinesiology, exercise science, or sports medicine are all excellent options. To become a physician’s assistant after completing a bachelor’s degree, you must enroll in a P.A. training program. The typical duration of a Master’s degree program is three years.
Practically all P.A. schools demand prospective students have some prior healthcare experience, be it as a first responder, CNA, or surgical tech. To practice as a physician’s assistant (PA) in any given state, you must complete a P.A. program and pass a state-administered certification exam.
The salary here is satisfactory. About $100,000 per year is the going rate for P.A.s. This occupation has the highest projected growth rate of any on the list, at 31% from 2019 to 2029.
Physiotherapist
Physical therapists are the backbone of the sports medicine industry. Sports medicine physicians commonly prescribe physical therapy as part of a comprehensive recovery plan. Exercises are performed under the supervision of a physical therapist. It’s common for a P.T. to split their time between clinics and hospitals.
To practice physical therapy, you need a degree in the field. In most cases, a bachelor’s degree is required before being considered for doctoral programs. Unlock your full potential in sports-related professions by getting a bachelor’s degree in fields like kinesiology, sports medicine, or even exercising science.
The annual salary for a physical therapist is around $90,000. The rate of expansion in this area is astounding. According to the BLS, career opportunities for physiotherapists are expected to increase by 18% between 2019 and 2029.
Athletic Trainer
Do you have an interest in learning how to avoid sports injuries? A bachelor’s degree in exercise science is recommended to succeed in athletic training. But how does it differ from conventional sports medicine? Regarding physiology and medical know-how, sports medicine typically provides more detail. The effects of physical activity on the human body are the main area of study in exercise science.
A bachelor’s degree in any field is generally sufficient preparation for a career in sports medicine; however, a bachelor’s degree in sports medicine is especially useful if your school provides one.
However, the role of an athletic trainer is analogous to that of a first responder in sports medicine. In the event of an injury, athletic trainers are present in all team sports. They can usually stabilize the damage and make a preliminary diagnosis.
In addition to treating injuries, some athletic trainers also provide instructions on how to stay healthy. As a rule, athletic trainers collaborate with the following:
- Sports on the professional circuit
- Sports played at universities and colleges
- Sports in the secondary school setting
- They could potentially find work in health clubs and rehab facilities.
The BLS projects 16% growth for the athletic training industry from 2019 to 2029, which is great news if you are considering a career change into this profession. It’s not the highest-paying position in the profession, with an average salary of little under $50k. However, it’s not a master’s or Ph.D. degree requirement job.
Work Settings and Responsibilities of a Sports Medicine Nurse
Nurses specializing in sports medicine frequently work at orthopedic clinics and offices. Some people also volunteer their time at first aid booths at various athletic events.
They frequently collaborate with other medical professionals such as M.D.s, P.A.s, and P.T.s. The standard workweek for a sports medicine nurse in private practice is 40 hours, spread between Monday through Friday during normal business hours.
These nurses may take patients’ medical histories, administer routine screens and diagnostic tests, and address any questions or concerns patients may have before seeing a doctor. Patient monitoring and supporting surgeons are two examples of the most critical tasks that a medical assistant may require.
An orthopedic doctor may consult with a patient, and then the nurse may go over everything the doctor said to the patient, including the diagnosis, the treatment plan, and home care.
It could also involve administering an injection, taking an x-ray, delivering drug samples, and discussing adverse effects. The nurse may also play a role during the surgical operation itself, aiding the orthopedic Surgeon in a manner unlike that of a physician’s assistant.
The hours are more stable than in the medical field, a perk of this profession. As a sports medicine nurse, you’ll get to deal with patients of all ages and use much of what you’ve learned in your nursing education and on the job, in addition to what you’ve picked up from your doctor.
The fact that most patients are in such a rush to recover is a drawback. It would help if you were forceful in counseling them against hurrying the healing process because they are eager to return to their sports and want to return immediately.
How much do Sports Medicine Nurses make and what is the job Outlook?
It is projected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) that between 2019 and 2029, the number of jobs available to sports medicine nurses, often known as athletic trainers, will rise by 16%. This pace of expansion is four times as quick as the average prediction for all jobs in the United States.
Demand for sports nurses is predicted to rise as more public awareness of the dangers of sports-related injuries coincides with rising people of physical activity among older and larger people. The need for sports medicine services is growing as more people suffer from chronic injuries that require advanced diagnosis and treatment.
Tips on pursuing a career in Sports Medicine Nursing.
As was previously indicated, an MSN with a Nurse Practitioner or Clinical Nurse Specialist concentration is typically required. A bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN) may be necessary for admittance into some Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) programs.
Licensed nurses can go back to school to acquire a BSN, MSN, or DNP with the help of nursing bridge programs that allow them to continue working while they study. A bachelor’s degree in athletic training, exercise physiology, or kinesiology would be an excellent alternative to a BSN for entry into an MSN program.
There are non-traditional Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) programs for people with a bachelor’s degree in a field other than nursing. Once you’ve earned your nursing license, your next step should be to seek out work experience with orthopedic doctors through cold calling or posting on job boards like Indeed.com.
In addition, don’t be shy about utilizing the resources available to you, such as your professors, to gain entry-level employment in an orthopedic or sports medicine context.
Conclusion
People in sports medicine and exercise science are excellent options for those interested in athletics, helping others, and injury prevention. A degree in sports medicine is highly marketable whether you want to work part- or full-time.
Jobs in medical medicine, such as orthopedic surgeons and orthopedic nurses, are rising. Athletic training, exercise physiology, and related professions benefit greatly from individuals with degrees in exercise science (also known as kinesiology).
