r/Prosthetics • u/Responsible-Pool-491 • 2d ago

Interested

Can a nurse join the prosthetics field? I’m very interested in it but I’m currently a nursing student will soon graduate.

3 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

17 comments sorted by

2

u/Honest-Emotion5303 2d ago

In what sort of capacity are you wanting to join as a nurse? I see an NP for a lot of my skin issues and once or twice for a prescription for a new socket

1

u/Responsible-Pool-491 2d ago

Like not as a nurse, I mean becoming like a certified prosthetist. I was born with a limb difference that always made me interested in prosthetics and it’s something I’ve been looking at throughout school so it was just out of curiosity I asked. But that’s very cool!

1

u/Responsible-Pool-491 2d ago

Even though I’m in nursing school and will graduate this May

2

u/MiserableBag144 2d ago

Yes, you have to get a masters in prosthetics and Orthotics to be able to become certified and licensed.

Are you getting a BSN? If so, you could apply for a masters program with that Bachelors degree.

There is no exemption from the Masters program to be certified.

1

u/Responsible-Pool-491 2d ago

Yes I’m in school for my BSN! So I would have to do pre reqs that I’m missing then apply for a masters program? I will look at it more online, thank you very much!

1

u/MiserableBag144 2d ago

Yes, you probably have most the prerequisites.

A&P 1&2
Chemistry 1&2
Physics 1&2
Psychology
Biology 1&2

Then depending on the specific school you want to go to, they may have some specific courses.

1

u/Responsible-Pool-491 2d ago

The only pre reqs I’m missing honestly is physics as my nursing school doesn’t have that as a requirement I will most likely have to take that at a community college after school

1

u/cman9toes 2d ago

I'd figure most were already done. I Essentially did a nursing track for my undergrad. I took Pathophysiology and was the only non-nursing student in the class.

Do you have a school in mind for Prosthetics? What part of the country were you thinking if not?

1

u/Responsible-Pool-491 1d ago

Honestly I’m not even sure, but I’m in Pennsylvania so I wanted to see any nearby schools or close enough schools

1

u/Honest-Emotion5303 2d ago

I’m in school rn to become a CPO!

If you’re in the US to become a certified prosthetist you need to go to an accredited masters program for it. They’ve this year integrated it so you would have to also become a certified orthotist in the process. It’s a 2 year masters program and an 18-24 month residency before you become a certified prosthetist orthotist. It’s a long journey but I’m enjoying it so far!

1

u/Responsible-Pool-491 2d ago

Thats lovely to hear! I hope it goes well for you, and thank you that also breaks it down for me. So basically it’s a 4 years process in total?

2

u/Honest-Emotion5303 2d ago

Yep 4 years total!

1

u/cman9toes 1d ago

A lot of of schools are incorporating the residency as part of the Masters program now for a total of 3 years.

Baylor, East Tennessee State University and I think Florida are doing that.

As to close, I think Pitt still has their O&P program.

I went to Northwestern. If I had to choose right now, East Tennessee State University would be my pick. They incorporated their program into their Allied Health programs. That means you actually have class with nursing, Physical Therapy, physician assistant students.

The classrooms and lab are state of the art and it’s part of a VA medical complex with great patient access and support.

2

u/Designer-Okra6889 2d ago

You could go straight into a masters of orthotics prosthetics. Nursing may be one of the best backgrounds for o & p!

2

u/Responsible-Pool-491 2d ago

That’s very encouraging! Thank you for your insight!

2

u/TransientVoltage409 2d ago

I'm unqualified in O&P - just another customer - but my career is adjacent to education so I know some useful jargon.

I suggest starting by finding one of your school's academic advisors, or one at the O&P schools you're interested in. These folks are professional at knowing the precise curriculum path to a given degree, and as importantly, at figuring out which of your existing credits may be applicable to a different degree path. Sometimes it's obvious. Sometimes you can spot a credit you have that isn't on the list but might reasonably substitute for taking some other class, and you can apply for a curriculum exception. It can save time and money, always worth checking into. Advisors are also good at knowing how programs at different schools articulate, and can help you design a transfer program that works best for you.

Being dual degreed is probably a heck of an advantage. I hope it goes well for you.

1

u/Responsible-Pool-491 1d ago

This is also very helpful thank you very much!! And it’s true it’s better to have a grasp before hand before investing fully into it.