Looking to the next step



Yesterday was the day and...I PASSED! AFter starting the study course 6 months ago with plans to take it much earlier than waiting until the last possible day I finally took the NASM CPT test and passed! This all started after I decided my job was not a good fit and started thinking about what I really wanted to do, early midlife crisis! I have taken 4 certification exams now and I think this was the toughest! With my medical background I knew a lot of the physiology but hadn't thought to look much at the business part of the information, some guessing was occuring there!

What a year it has been for my career and furthering education. I took (and soon) left what looked to be the perfect job last Spring to fall into a teaching position for a small university. That move encouraged me to add an education specialty to my doctoral program which I am happy to say resulted in a 4.0 this semester! This Fall I became an RRCA certified run coach and now NASM certified personal trainer.

So what is ahead? I don't know for sure. Anyone know of a good fit for an advanced practice nurse/personal trainer with an education background? I'm serious, I would love input if you have heard of anything. I would love to combine my education with my passion for wellness and fitness into a career, but know I can't realistically take a trainer position without a big pay cut...Boo! As I continue to brainstorm (would love help with this part) I am in the process of finishing certification to become a Family Nurse Practitioner (currently I am limited to adults) and will complete my final semester of education specialty in Spring, all that's left is my thesis starting in Fall.


Finally check out Jill's blog today for a giveaway from SwiftWick one of our great 13 in 2013 sponsors. The response to 13 in 2013 has been amazing. We have almost 300 participants signed up! Thinking about joining or just curious? Get the details at 13 in 2013 Watch for some more prize announcements coming. In case you missed it yesterday, ProCompression was our latest prize announced!
Are you creative? Submit your 13 in 2013 t-shirt design to me Here before Sunday night.

Comments

  1. Mommy Run FastDecember 14, 2012 at 8:03 AM

    Congrats! It's definitely nice to have lots of credentials and options. Maybe some kind of supervisory position in a fitness facility? Or working as a nurse and taking pt clients on the side? I'll keep brainstorming. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Coach JenDecember 14, 2012 at 12:44 PM

      Thanks Laura, this might be options...wonder if I can find something part-time again? :)

      Delete
  2. Rachelle QDecember 14, 2012 at 8:57 AM

    Awesome job!! SO excited for you:) I am in the same boat as far as what to do. Lucky for me any pay is better than my stay at home mom salary:)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Coach JenDecember 14, 2012 at 12:45 PM

      Thanks! That is right, hope you figure out what you want to do too :)

      Delete
  3. DawnDecember 14, 2012 at 9:10 AM

    Congrats on your certification. You should be proud of yourself for accomplishing that.

    ReplyDelete
  4. jillconyersDecember 14, 2012 at 8:32 PM

    Congratulations Jen! That is awesome.

    Wow! Almost 300! I never imagined. Just wait until you hear my updates on the prize sponsors! I'll email you tomorrow with some of our final details :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Coach JenDecember 15, 2012 at 6:19 AM

      Thanks Jill, I just sent you some updates too! :)

      Delete
  5. AnonymousDecember 15, 2012 at 8:01 AM

    Congratulations on passing your test!! I'm excited to see what your next steps are...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Coach JenDecember 15, 2012 at 3:27 PM

      Thanks, I'm excited too to figure out what's next.

      Delete
  6. AnonymousDecember 15, 2012 at 2:31 PM

    Congrats. I am an RN also, but not an APN. I know here in Austin there are some family medicine practices that are slanted towards sports medicine. Maybe there is something like that where you live? A sports med APN seems like the perfect use of your skills. Or maybe a PM and R practice? I have an APN friend in PM and R although the practice is more focused on pain management. Ick. Good luck..it's cool to have some options.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Coach JenDecember 15, 2012 at 3:28 PM

      Thanks. Sports med is one of my hopes, I am currently only adult health but have a semester left to finish adding a Family NP certification then I think sports med might be a better option so I can see kids too :)

      Delete
  7. AnonymousDecember 15, 2012 at 6:50 PM

    Congratulations! I know that NASM is one of the tougher ones. I have all the books here but went a different route due to affordability.

    I wish I had some ideas for you. The only thing that popped into my mind was a corporate health/wellness program. Not sure where you live as only a very large corporation would have that type of personnel.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Coach JenDecember 15, 2012 at 7:34 PM

      Thanks, which direction did you go?

      I have looked into corporate wellness but haven't found much, but I do like this idea :)

      Delete
  8. Suz and AllanDecember 16, 2012 at 2:15 PM

    Congratulations on passing your test! That is quite an accomplishment.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A few Races...

Image
Stillwater half was my final pre-marathon race. The weather was a mess, hot humid and gross! I ran with the 1:40 pacer to keep a nice pace and actually held myself back the first haf but yikes then we turned to the road and no shade and it all faded! I struggled to keep the "easy" pace as did everyone around me. I was happy to finish just 45 secs behind the pacer 1:40:45 and not too far off my goal of 1:38. That heat was brutal... Photo credit Stillwater Gazette Grandmas Marathon  For those who don't follow me on IG  @marathonmom28  here is the short version... I started great, on pace to PR then I became hypothermic (yes in June) and once the rain started it was painful (thank you Raynaud's). I finally walked off the course between mile 19-20 where Matt met me with dry clothes and a warm car. Grandmas this is strike 3, I think I am done!  I spent the car ride home thinking of next races and wondering if I could jump back in, (dumb I know). As we drove...
Read more

GoMacro Thrive Review and Giveaway!

Image
All runners know that post marathon week(s) are filled with the fight to keep eating healthy yet indulge a little. I try to carry healthy snacks wherever I go to avoid the munchies. Needing gluten free makes finding healthy foods quick even tougher. I have my go to foods but love finding new options with such variety. I think my only complaint is the carb to protein ratio which for each bar is 3 or 4:1. I prefer a snack more along the 2:1 carb to protein ratio. To help this I add a few extra nuts to the bars when I have them for a snack, problem solved! Like all GoMacro products, Thrive are USDA-Certified Organic, Non-GMO Project Verified, Kosher, Gluten-Free certified, 100% Vegan, and soy-free. Thrive is currently available to purchase online and will become available to Whole Foods this month! GoMacro is offering 30% off to all my readers with code Thrive30 for online purchases Here The Thrive Bars come in 6 flavors: Caramel Coconut, Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip, Blueberry ...
Read more

Friday Thoughts: PB Cake & a Giveaway

Image
This post is going to match my mind lately as it races from thing to thing… I’m sitting here post-holiday craziness, on the verge of vacation and ready to go! Bell Plantation Peanut Butter Single Serve Cake (Gluten Free) 2 tbsp PB2 1 tsbp water 1 tbsp Almond milk 2 tbsp applesauce ½ tsp baking powder 2 tbsp coconut flour 1 tbsp raisins or choc chips Mix all together and microwave bowl and cook for 2 minutes. And guess what I got so excited after I mixed it up, I never even took a picture of my yummy creation! Any fun snacks you’ve been eating lately? So what else is going through my mind today…This weather sucks and I continue to stalk the forecast for Dopey! Guess what we get on Monday, -50 wind chills!! I thought last weekend was bad, yikes! I can’t wait to be in sun and warmth, I see people complaining about running in upper 70s but I figure I’m not racing so I plan to have fun, enjoy the weather and be happy being warm! Now on top of this we are ...
Read more