My Vision

by Judy Dean, DSc., RN, NCTMB, Ch

On January 1, 2012, the National Association of Nurse Massage Therapists continued with its Mission and Philosophy under the direction of a newly appointed Board of Directors. The Board is comprised of: Judy Dean, RN, DSc., NCTMB, CHt as President, Jamie Listaberger, RN, LMT, Vice president, and Andy Bernay-Roman, MS, RN, LMT as the treasurer. Both Jamie and Andy have been involved with the association for a very long time in various roles; Jamie as a former president and Andy as the ‘Founder’ of NANMT.

It’s been eight weeks since the new Board was formed. During that time the charge for the Board was to assess and formulate structural and logistical changes to redevelop NANMT into a strong, active, viable membership driven organization within an eight week period!

Recently, the Board shared their views as to what has been accomplished and the where, why and direction of NANMT. Here are their responses:

Judy was asked to present her vision for the organization. Here is her reply:

“Before I get to my vision, I will share a bit of the history as why I am involved with NANMT. I was invited to join a conference call in late December 2011, to listen to a discussion regarding the future of NANMT. Prior to that call, I was informed that the former Board had placed a motion out to the membership in early December to dissolve the organization due to a variety of legitimate factors. The membership at that time voted not to allow NANMT to be dissolved.

It was announced that the former Board as well as the management group were to terminate all connections with NANMT by December 31, 2011. One of the former directors asked me if I had any suggestions. My approach to any project or challenge is that I am very broad and global in my proposed solutions and recommendations and leave the minutia to others to complete. So, of course I shared a variety of potential solutions. Many of which were new to the Board plus many which had not resulted in fruitful outcomes. Following an in-depth discussion, the former Board appointed a new Board to assume their responsibilities on January 1, 2012. The money crunch for support services until February 28, 2012 was resolved by a colleague donating financial support which would cover management services.

As a newcomer to the organization, I had no history as to what had been previously implemented other than the continuing education programs, one of which I was a presenter on Infant Massage in the early years of 2000. So, to achieve a firm grasp of what NANMT was all about, I visited the office of the management company located near Dayton, Ohio. Thinking that NANMT had to formulate long term outcomes in a very short window of time, my husband Diz loaded my new little rag top with everything except one huge box and a banner. I spent days reading as much as possible to determine what the next move would be. Would NANMT die on February 28 or would it go forward? It was at that time the new Board delayed any type of new member or membership renewal applications to be processed until March 1, 2012.

Before I get to my vision(s), I need to share what has been accomplished since the first of January:

  • An Affiliate agreement has been made with a Continuing Education Company so that when NANMT members complete any program the member receives CE/CEU credit for for both Nursing, and Massage plus NANMT receives a 20% commission (“the learn and earn concept”)
  • An agreement has been reached with a large insurance carrier for dual liability coverage (Nursing & Massage Therapy) for NANMT members –always requested but never before developed!
  • Links to and from Web sites that when visited will also produce additional money for NANMT.
  • State Nursing Boards have solicited copies of NANMT’s Standard of Practice as these states update their Scope of Nursing Practice.
  • Received requests for NANMT’s support regarding State and Federal issues both in Nursing and Massage Therapy.
  • Donations received from NANMT members following a detailed update as to the financial state of the organization – NANMT owed the management company $4,000.00+ for past services rendered.

The positive response from the members has allowed us to pay 50% of that debt plus money left over to procure uninterrupted support services for an additional three months. It is NANMT’s intent to be around for a very long time

The additional three months of support by the management company will allow NANMT to garner more members. In the interim, all Board members have either shared NANMT’s message on various Facebook and LinkedIn sites or have joined a variety of Massage and Nursing oriented blogs etc…just to keep everyone updated as to what NANMT is all about. Also, if you receive the news publication “Massage Today”, there is a front page article reflecting the interview by Editor Kathryn Feathers and myself regarding NANMT. You can also access the publication on the WEB for the March 2012 issue.

My Vision:

  1. We know that many states support Massage Therapy within their Nurse Practice Acts/Scope of Practice. NANMT will continue to pursue this possibly using those members who have volunteered to help us. Volunteering can be draining and that is why the Board is giving volunteers small portions of larger projects No person wants anyone to be burned out -- including me.
  2. That Nurse Massage Therapists be formally acknowledged as a specialty within the nursing profession. Our members are the strongest connection between Western health care practitioners and complementary touch therapies. We have a strong body of nursing and Massage Therapy knowledge, experience, and the ability to employ and integrate the appropriate manual skills needed to address health oriented issues.
  3. That a NANMT representative be at the table of discussion when NIH presents additional findings on the value of Massage Therapy. I realize that learned Massage Therapists are already at the table, but we nurses are unique in what we have to offer with the changing paradigm of Health Care. Much more encompassing, we also know the health care system so well.
  4. That NANMT and its members are involved in valid research – not just adding to the vast amount of materials already present regarding massage therapy but the benefits as researched and validated by the Nursing Process. I recently sent that thought to AMTA’s Foundation, to show our collaborative spirit.
  5. I see NANMT receiving grant money for those members who wish to participate in research. So far, most government health-related grant money is allocated to large institutions or to 3rd world countries and their health care challenges.
  6. Continued collaboration and exposure with both Nursing and Massage Therapy Associations. I see NANMT being present as either attendees or exhibitors at large conferences/conventions to communicate our mission and network with our colleagues.
  7. I have asked the Board members to develop the favorite Radio Station Wii-FM - “What’s In It For Me?” as to why I should join if I was not a member. In doing so we will examine the current categories of membership for expansion and/or modification.
  8. Expand the membership to all Nurses who are not Massage Therapists, but who integrate various forms of Touch Therapies in the Nursing Process when working with clients.
  9. Expand the Board with those who support our Mission and have those qualifications to help the Association meet its long term goals.
  10. Also, expand the Board with a Community member again possessing those gaps identified by the Board. I have found that input from a consumer’s view point is very different than those of us who are so close to the challenge or situation.. Those initially chosen by the Board will be individuals who will greatly benefit the organization with their knowledge and/or skills (Banker, successful business owner, management).
  11. Expand NANMT’s presence in Schools of Nursing and Massage Therapies through a variety of low cost marketing techniques.
  12. Revisit the pros and cons of developing a National Certification program specific to Nurse Massage Therapists.
  13. Urge, support, and offer marketing techniques to members employed by acute/Chronic care facilities to become involved, if possible, with the development and/or enhancement of Massage Therapy services for patients and clients
  14. Highlight members of any category in sharing their knowledge and experience in the e-newsletters.
  15. Expand and re-establish the Member’s / Associate Members Directory as well to include additional areas of expertise
  16. Develop a FAQ page for those just checking us out
  17. Make the On-line CE/CEU programs available to non-members so they to can benefit from the “one program , one price, two approved provider acknowledgements”
  18. NANMT being the preferred contact by book publishers or various journals for review of new texts on massage or complementary modalities for use in the nursing process. NANMT will refer appropriate members who have experience in book reviews to the requesting companies.
  19. Expanding the membership directory to include additional areas of expertise.
  20. NANMT being the preferred organization as the ‘Agency’ called first for inquiries from State or Federal Agencies or issues regarding Nurse Massage Therapy (BTW, this has already commenced). NANMT will continue with an aggressive communication process to the various Nursing associations already established.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A rocky ride….maybe….maybe not. Are you committed enough to accompany us on that ride and then bask in the glow of so many more accomplishments that only together we can achieve…..hmmmmmmm?

Please tell your fellow nurses who integrate the various forms of touch therapy within their practice to give us a look at nanmt.org,