Holistic nurse practitioners combine Western and Eastern medical approaches. While they perform the same duties as regular registered nurses, holistic practitioners also focus on emotional and spiritual wellbeing along with physical wellbeing of their patients.
This career path is ideal for nurses who prefer taking a preventive rather than reactive approach to patient care, or those looking for alternative healing methods.
Education Requirements
Educational requirements for holistic nurse practitioner degrees can differ widely across schools and programs, but generally applicants should possess a bachelor’s degree in nursing from an accredited program and be licensed as a registered nurse in their state of practice. Once applying to one of these graduate certificate in holistic nursing programs, applicants should demonstrate an interest in applying holistic principles with evidence-based patient care; other admission criteria could include passing background checks, drug screenings and providing letters of recommendation.
Holistic nurses understand the individualized nature of each patient. By considering all aspects of physical and spiritual wellbeing, holistic nurses strive to find ways to help their clients reach their health goals for a healthier lifestyle, such as diet changes, stress relief exercises and alternative treatments. Holistic nurses must also have knowledge of traditional Western medical techniques as they strive to give the best care possible to their patients.
Many hospitals offer holistic nurse practitioner programs for advanced practice nurses looking to take a different approach to patient care. These programs are accredited by organizations overseeing graduate education and nursing practice to ensure students receive quality instruction that fulfills the rigorous standards of the profession.
As part of your education in an accredited graduate-level nurse practitioner program and after accumulating hundreds of clinical hours under supervision, you must pass one or both national certification exams offered by either the American Nurses Credentialing Center or American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. These tests assess your competence in areas such as diagnosis, assessment and interpretation of data, ordering lab tests and prescribing therapies.
Once you’ve passed the national certification exam, there will be several steps you must complete in order to receive your license as an advanced practice registered nurse in your state. These could include providing evidence of graduate-level nursing program completion, paying licensing fees and showing proof of malpractice insurance coverage – depending on which state this applies in. Additionally, depending on state requirements there may also be an examination on jurisprudence (jurisprudence examination).
Job Requirements
Holistic nurse practitioners are advanced practice registered nurses that employ a “mind-body” approach in patient care. Alongside their usual nursing duties such as assessing patients, diagnosing diseases and prescribing medications, holistic nurses also utilize alternative therapies as part of their treatment plans; furthermore they encourage their patients to adopt healthy lifestyles to take charge of their wellness.
First step to becoming a holistic nurse: earning a Bachelor’s of Nursing from an accredited university. Next step: pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). This written exam tests your ability to provide safe and effective patient care while passing criminal and drug background checks depending on employer or program requirements.
Once licensed, once you become a holistic nurse practitioner you can enroll in an holistic nurse practitioner program to broaden your education and learn more about whole-person health and healing. These four-year programs typically span many states. The top programs will feature clinical rotations that enable students to work directly with real patients; you will also be taught to assess and treat all aspects of an individual’s wellbeing, such as physical, mental and emotional aspects of health.
Holistic nurse practitioners go beyond conventional medical treatments by employing complementary therapies like acupuncture, herbal remedies and meditation in addition to traditional treatments. Furthermore, they will teach their patients self-care techniques such as stress management techniques, nutritional changes and exercise; in addition to monitoring progress and making necessary changes as needed.
Belief in holistic nursing begins with believing in its core tenet that mind, body and spirit are interdependent – this concept forms part of holism as it defines people as an inseparable whole. Holism encourages self-care, responsibility and spirituality and has been proven by numerous studies to accelerate healing more efficiently – hence why holistic nurses have become such popular career options.
Work Environment
Holistic nurses employ various alternative healing techniques and methodologies. While holistic nurses tend to work in traditional hospital environments, some can also be found working at private practices or birthing centers – some even travel directly to patients’ homes to administer treatment. A recent survey of nurse practitioners showed that one of their key motivations for choosing this profession was altruism and being able to directly interact with their patients.
Holistic nurses can become registered nurses by enrolling in a nursing program at an accredited college or university and passing the National Council Licensure Examination. Registered nurses interested in taking their education a step further can pursue a Master’s degree with an emphasis on holistic nursing for further certification – this opens up more career options with greater pay!
Curriculum requirements for graduate programs in holistic nursing vary considerably. Some schools provide dedicated holistic nurse practitioner programs, while others allow students to add holistic nursing as a concentration within an existing MSN degree program of choice (such as NYU offering specialty sequence of courses that can be added onto family nurse practitioner programs).
Nurses who already possess a Master’s in Nursing can access postgraduate certificate programs. These shorter programs usually cost less than full master’s degrees.
Nurse practitioners trained in holistic nursing provide support and counseling services, in addition to offering complementary therapies such as massage therapy, meditation or acupuncture as needed by their patients. Furthermore, holistic nurse practitioners educate their clients on developing healthy lifestyle habits such as eating healthier or engaging in physical exercises regimens.
Holistic nurses with registered nursing certification can work in any environment where nurses are employed, from hospitals and birthing centers to alternative medicine practices, naturopathic offices and physical therapy clinics. Some holistic nurses also specialize in hospice or palliative care for terminally ill patients and their families; wellness coaching assists with weight management, stress reduction and other health-related concerns.
Salary
Are You Seeking Holistic Nursing Employment Opportunities? The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that holistic nurses enjoy competitive salary levels when compared to traditional registered nurses; moreover, in addition to receiving their base pay they also typically enjoy benefits such as health and life insurance, paid vacation time, childcare expenses reimbursement and holiday pay.
Assuming you hold an accredited registered nurse (RN) degree from an accredited college or university, the first step to becoming a holistic nurse is acquiring your Registered Nurse Licensure Examination license for your state. Many colleges also provide programs specifically aimed at nurturing holistic nurses; depending on state law it may even be possible for one of these to hold dual licenses simultaneously.
Holistic nurse practitioners are adept at treating more than physical ailments; they understand the significance of maintaining one’s emotional, mental and spiritual well-being as well. Holistic practitioners create meaningful connections with their patients, understanding their needs fully. Together they work towards developing plans of action which will assist their goals for better health.
Holistic nurses go beyond traditional nursing skills by employing alternative healing practices such as meditation, yoga, massage and breathing techniques to aid healing. Furthermore, holistic nurses offer advice regarding diet changes and lifestyle modifications that could contribute to improved overall health.
The American Holistic Nurses Credentialing Corporation offers holistic nurse certification, giving you the chance to be both a nurse coach and promote health and wellness. Nurses who hold this specialty certification are more likely to find employment in hospitals, clinics and private practices; those holding two certifications often command higher salaries; demand for such nurses is predicted to increase as more people turn toward natural and alternative remedies for illness.
