Holistic nurse practitioner programs give students a unique opportunity to study a healthcare model increasingly adopted by more health systems. Study its benefits, and identify one with national support from American Holistic Nursing Credentialing Corporation.
Holistic nurses prioritize treating the overall wellbeing of their patients rather than treating a single symptom, and incorporate complementary and alternative medicine (CAM).
Mentoring
Holistic nurses are specially trained to assess patients from all perspectives, placing special attention on emotional, spiritual and mental aspects of health. Holistic RNs tend to listen more deeply than traditional ones while providing inquisitive and empowering questions which lead patients through the healing process. Furthermore, holistic nurses may help patients find alternative therapies that may alleviate physical symptoms.
American Holistic Nurses’ Association (AHNA) defines holistic nursing as “a patient-centric approach to healthcare that embraces the belief that individuals are more than the sum of their parts,” treating all aspects of health, including physical, emotional, mental and spiritual wellness. Within clinical settings, holistic nurses combine conventional medical techniques with natural healing modalities in order to address symptoms while supporting overall wellbeing in their patients.
Aspiring holistic nurse practitioners must first become registered nurses (RNs) and gain work experience before going on to obtain an advanced nursing degree. Based on their area of practice preference, graduate programs usually cover both traditional core competencies in advanced practice nursing such as pathophysiology and health assessment as well as holistic nursing core concepts like spirit-mind-body perspectives, self-care practices, presence, intention/intentionality and complementary healing modalities.
Holistic nurses with degrees can secure employment in various healthcare environments, including hospitals, home health agencies and private practices. Some holistic nurses even volunteer their services at community centers, healing arts clinics or schools.
Holistic nurse practitioner careers can be extremely fulfilling both professionally and personally, providing both job satisfaction and an enriching personal life for nurses who excel at this line of work. Nurses who possess strong listening and openness skills often excel in this type of healthcare practice and those interested should explore all available programs by reaching out to educational institutions that provide online holistic nurse practitioner degrees.
