Nursing and the NFL – Does it go hand in hand? When I heard that the NFL was considering hiring nurses for its teams. I was intrigued! I mean, it’s not something you think about when you think about professional football, is it? I was sure there had to be a reason for it, but I just couldn’t put my finger on it. And so I decided to do some research to find out.
First off, it turns out that the NFL is not hiring nurses as primary healthcare providers—rather, they are hiring them for a wide variety of roles where their skills and knowledge are particularly valuable. For example, nurses are a key part of concussion prevention programs, where their role is to monitor players for any signs of head trauma and provide potential medical interventions promptly when necessary. Nurses are also being hired to help manage players’ chronic illnesses, as well as serving as the team’s first responders in situations where an injury or severe condition arises. It’s interesting to note that this is a role that goes beyond just traditional medicine.
Additionally, nurses are now playing an increasingly important role in addressing the social determinants of health, an area where professional football teams are facing a growing challenge. In a health care system that is already suffering from an over-burdened system, addressing social issues such as mental health, poverty, racism, etc. can be a daunting task. But by bringing nurses into the mix to help address these issues at a team level, the NFL can help bring a deeper, more holistic approach to the table.
What I found most curious though was the recruiting process for nurses. In traditional health care settings, the recruitment process focuses heavily on candidates’ schooling and credentials. However, in the NFL, the competition appears to be more of a holistic process with an emphasis on experience, collaboration, and communication skills. It’s no surprise that this kind of deep level recruitment is taking place in professional sports, as teams are always looking for players and other personnel who can bring a fresh set of ideas and perspectives to the table.
Now that we know a bit more about the role of nurses in professional football, it begs the question, “Should the NFL be hiring them?” Well, I believe absolutely yes! From the perspective of an outsider, I think that having nurses on board serves a very real and valuable purpose. Not only do they provide an additional layer of health care, they also help to address an often overlooked aspect of sports: mental health. By bringing nurses into the mix, the NFL is giving its players and personnel the opportunity to access a range of health care and support options—from physical and mental health to social determinants of health and performance recovery—in a safe and comfortable environment.
In conclusion, I’m glad that the NFL is taking steps towards hiring nurses. Not only does it show the league’s commitment to providing player-centered care, but it also serves a reminder that professional sports are a business, and one where health and well-being are always a priority. After all, when the players and personnel are in peak condition, the game is in peak condition too.