RN Gains Personal Training Skills

For 20 years, Shannon McCune has been a Registered Nurse, working in oncology, cancer research, bone marrow transplantation, and as a school nurse. To further her knowledge of fitness to not only better educate herself but her patients and community, she began look into personal training programs.

Personally, she has experienced the positive impact of fitness and nutrition. “Through nutrition and exercise, I have maintained a significant weight loss for several years and I love to help other achieve their fitness goals. I know how life-changing it can be!” she said.

Shannon found out about our Personal Trainer Certificate program through a friend who referred her to the Course Catalog and the website. She felt encouraged to register for the course after reading the information online and as well as the positive feedback from her friend. “It sounded interesting and challenging. It also ties in with my professional nursing and personal background,” she said.

Through the course she was able to receive a better understanding of the relationship between optimal fitness, health, and quality of life. “The program is in-depth and thorough,” Shannon said. The class spent hands-on time in the fitness center, which was one of Shannon’s favorite things about the course.

Beside the hands-on training, Shannon also enjoyed that the material was presented in an interesting yet challenging manner by the instructor. “The one thing that sticks out most was the emphasis on thorough assessment. It lays a good foundation for any training for education that I will do with training my clients, student or patients,” she said.

In January 2017, Shannon passed the ACE Fitness Certification Exam. The exam was thorough but, through the help of her instructor and the course, she felt prepared for the it. Before going into the exam, she took multiple online practice tests, reviewed slides and notes provided in class and directly reviewed the course materials and manuals.

“I was excited when I found out I passed,” Shannon said, “Okay, actually I was ecstatic! It really felt like an accomplishment!”

In the future, Shannon wants to privately train clients, as well as incorporate what she has learned in her school nursing role. She wants students to be educated about what good health truly is. For now, Shannon wants to help her patients on their own journeys of health.

To students interested in this course, Shannon’s advice is to, “Go for it! The class is incredible and such an opportunity to increase your marketability and credibility in the workplace!”