Training nurses like athletes

Chandler Browning, a nursing student at The University of Texas at Arlington, is among the first to experience the university's innovative "Clinical Athlete Framework" in nursing education. This program applies performance science principles to the physical and cognitive demands of clinical practice, aiming to develop strength, endurance, and resilience in future nurses.

Browning, who previously excelled in UTA's women's golf team, praised the collaborative efforts between departments to support student health, safety, and education. The framework recognizes the high physical and mental demands of nursing, addressing issues such as burnout and musculoskeletal injuries common among nursing students and professionals.

By incorporating elements like proper sleep, nutrition, recovery, and strategic breaks, the program seeks to reduce the risk of injury, fatigue, and burnout. The initiative's leaders, including exercise science program director Tyler Garner and associate chair of undergraduate nursing Cynthia Koomey, emphasize the importance of considering nurses as "occupational athletes" alongside first responders like firefighters and police officers.

The framework incorporates structured strength training, a key strategy to prevent musculoskeletal disorders and enhance nurses' ability to handle the physical workload of their profession.