Holistic nurse practitioners provide services in multiple healthcare settings. Their skills lie in cultivating deeper connections with patients and offering alternative ways to aid emotional, spiritual, and physical wellbeing.
Physicians take an holistic view of a health condition, considering dietary modifications and stress relief exercises in addition to health conditions that need treating.
Education and Training Requirements
Holistic nurse practitioners specialize in treating their patients holistically, following Florence Nightingale’s approach as the founder of modern nursing. This type of care requires extra training beyond a standard registered nurse (RN) degree and license, but its goal is to help overcome illness while maintaining an overall healthy lifestyle for the individual patient.
Becoming a holistic nurse requires first earning an RN degree from an accredited college or university and passing the National Council Licensure Examination to become certified as an RN. Some may pursue further education by earning either a bachelor’s or master’s degree in nursing; those who achieve such qualifications could find more employment opportunities and higher pay scales than their colleagues with less advanced credentials.
Once a person becomes an RN, he or she can apply to attend a holistic nurse practitioner program. Application requirements differ by school; typically holistic nurse practitioner programs expect applicants with active licenses as well as at least two letters of reference from nursing professionals before admittance into their programs. Some schools even require applicants pass through background and drug screening tests prior to being accepted into admissions programs.
Students pursuing holistic nurse training learn both Eastern and Western medical approaches to healing. In addition, alternative therapies like massage and meditation are studied which may be used to promote patient wellness. A holistic nurse may also offer nutritional and exercise advice in order to encourage healthy lifestyle habits.
Holistic nurses typically treat patients in hospitals, private practices, birthing centers and integrative health clinics. Their schedule can range from hectic to more laid-back depending on the setting they work in and the nature and seniority level of the establishment in which they’re assigned.
As with other types of nurses, holistic nurse practitioners must renew their license on an ongoing basis. For more information about renewal requirements in your state’s board of nursing.
Work Schedules
Holistic nurses work in various healthcare environments, from holistic wellness centers and integrative medicine practices to traditional healthcare institutions that recognize their value. Their job is to provide patient-centric care that addresses both emotional and spiritual health along with physical wellbeing; using techniques such as aromatherapy, full body massage, breath work meditation and guided imagery for example.
Holistic nurses are adept at assessing patient emotions to pinpoint the source of illness. They search for distinct symptoms and illnesses and treat them using natural approaches before resorting to medications as necessary. Furthermore, holistic nurses understand that patient’s worldviews play an integral part in healing processes, so focus on building therapeutic relationships. In line with holistic principles, Holistic nurses believe people are generally good and that disease stems from environmental factors rather than inherent defects.
Most nurse practitioners with experience in holistic nursing are registered nurses (RNs). After earning their RN license, these RNs may further their studies with a master’s degree, which will enable them to practice independently and specialize in this area of medicine. Such advanced degrees often combine traditional nursing training with additional coursework on holistic principles and complementary therapies – once finished they may apply for certification through an accredited program as holistic nurse practitioners.
The University of Medicine and Science Nursing (UMSN) is dedicated to supporting a holistic approach to healthcare and strongly advises nurses who wish to adopt such an approach to seek educational programs that emphasize this philosophy. Organizations like the American Holistic Nurses Association provide resources, educational materials, and certification for holistic nurses. Those interested in holistic nursing careers can expect competitive salaries as well as opportunities in multiple healthcare settings.
Salary
Holistic nurse practitioners specialize in alternative medicine treatments such as herbal therapy and acupuncture, providing their patients with access to holistic wellness programs in various healthcare settings – including traditional healthcare institutions that recognize holistic care’s value. They form strong bonds with their patients and can guide them toward wellness through alternative techniques like herbal therapy and acupuncture. Holistic nurses may be found working at wellness centers as well as traditional healthcare institutions who recognize its significance.
Holistic nurse practitioners require both a bachelor’s degree in nursing and extensive on-the-job training to fulfill this role effectively. A holistic practitioner must possess knowledge about all five dimensions of holistic health, including physical, emotional, spiritual and social wellness. Furthermore, they must be capable of reading and interpreting patient charts accurately; performing full body assessments; as well as informing patients on how best to treat their conditions and manage them effectively.
Holistic nurses must not only educate their patients but also have an emotional connection and teach them relaxation techniques such as meditation and breathing exercises which will help control stress and anxiety levels. Furthermore, holistic nurses can encourage their patients to consume nutritious foods and participate in regular physical activities.
A holistic nurse practitioner‘s salary varies significantly based on where they work, their education level and experience level, and where Eastern medicine is more popular; those residing in states with larger populations or living near Eastern medicine centers could see more money than others working elsewhere.
Whoever wishes to become holistic nurse practitioners should look for schools offering bachelor’s degrees in holistic nursing or related fields. At these schools they will learn how to view patients holistically while emphasizing the body’s natural ability to heal itself. Furthermore they will receive instruction in providing emotional support as well as helping develop deeper spiritual ties for themselves and their patients.
Holistic nurse practitioners are in high demand, as more and more people turn to holistic treatments as an approach to treating different conditions. The demand is expected to only continue growing.
Work Environment
Traditional nurses focus on symptoms, disease and treatment; holistic nurse practitioners focus on patients’ spiritual, emotional and mental well-being as well. They work to create a supportive environment in which patients can open up about information that may impact their health; these nurses may use alternative methods or therapies such as herbal therapy, acupressure, healing touch or meditation; in some instances they may even incorporate acupuncture treatments.
As a holistic nurse practitioner, your work environment may prove challenging at times. To remain effective at serving patients in the best manner, it is vital that you strike a balance between professional and personal life as well as staying informed on current healthcare trends and developments. Doing this will allow you to better provide them with care they truly deserve.
Holistic nurse practitioners can find work in various environments, such as hospitals, private practices, birthing centers and educational institutions. Many holistic nurses opt to combine work at both environments in order to maximize flexibility and make more money overall.
Are You Thinking About Becoming a Holistic Nurse? Attend an Accredited Graduate Nursing Program and Pass the National Certification Exam
Holistic nurse practitioners take on additional responsibilities to keep up with the demands of their profession, including participating in workshops, conferences and webinars to stay current on clinical guidelines and patient care standards. Some may even join holistic nursing associations for additional educational and networking opportunities.
The American Holistic Nurses Credentialing Corporation is a professional organization for holistic nurse practitioners that promotes this form of nursing. It serves as an excellent resource for anyone interested in becoming one, offering accredited schools as well as continuing education courses, an annual conference, and other resources specifically for holistic nurses.
