DEFINITION: A Nurse Massage Therapist is a licensed nurse who has completed at least 500 hours of post-graduate education and training in massage therapy and bodywork. As such, Nurse Massage Therapists retain a specialized body of knowledge and skill that encompasses an analytical and intuitive blend of nursing and therapeutic massage/bodywork.

PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS OF PRACTICE: The Nurse Massge Therapist adheres to the laws and scope of practice set forth by the regulatory Nursing agency in the state in which she/he practices. Furthermore, the Nurse Massage Therapist adheres to the Standards of Practice for the Nurse Massage Therapist , which represent the guidelines for professional practice established and recognized by Nurse Massage Therapists. These practice and performance standards, written within the context of the nursing process, and meeting the requirements of the American Nurses Association (ANA), apply to any setting in which Nurse Massage Therapists practice. The Nurse Massage Therapist uses these Standards to provide direction for planning, implementing, and evaluating the nursing care provided to the client.

SPECIALTY NURSING ORGANIZATION STATUS: In July 1992, the NANMT was admitted to both the distinguished National Federation for Nursing Specialty Organizations (NFSNO), and to the ANA's Nursing Organization Liason Forum (NOLF). In 2001, these two giants united to form the Nursing Organizations Alliance (NOA), whose mission is to advance specialty nursing practice through shared learning, networking, and collaboration, and to generate unified action in professional and national health policy issues based on common concern to national nursing organizations. The NANMT maintains active membership status in the Alliance.

LEGISLATION AND REGULATION ISSUES: Since 1992 NANMT has been recognized as the official organization representing the specialty practice of Nurse Massage Therapy. As such, the Association supports the premise that the specialty services provided by Nurse Massage Therapists should be recognized by all State Boards of Nursing as being within the scope of practice of professional nursing. Therefore, the Association supports regulatory initiatives which promote the recognition and integration of Nurse Massge Therapy into the mainstream of health care delivery. Furthermore, the Association supports insurance coverage and third party reimbursement for these specialized professional nursing services.