Holistic nurse practitioners adhere to Florence Nightingale’s philosophy of treating the whole patient. Their approach considers factors that affect someone’s emotional, spiritual, and environmental well-being in addition to physical wellbeing.
Registered nurses looking to become holistic NPs can enroll in graduate programs that provide specific curriculum around this philosophy. Such programs usually cover traditional advanced practice nursing core competencies as well as complementary healing modalities.
Coursework
Holistic nurse practitioners offer more comprehensive care than traditional registered nurses do, employing holistic medicine techniques to treat the whole patient. Holistic nurses know that physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual factors all have an effect on health; thus they use complementary and alternative medicine approaches to assist their patients with pain management, stress reduction, other health concerns as well as encourage healthy lifestyle choices like exercise and diet.
Students interested in becoming holistic nurses may benefit from earning either a bachelor’s or master’s degree from an accredited school. While bachelor’s programs typically take four years to complete and offer a more generalized education, master’s programs provide advanced practice nursing training that incorporates holistic healing techniques like massage, acupuncture and herbology into coursework.
As with other registered nurses, holistic nurses must complete either an associate or bachelor’s degree program and pass the National Council Licensure Examination before being licensed as holistic nurses. Bachelor-degree holders may find it easier to find employment; however many employers prefer applicants with graduate level degrees.
Holistic nurses may choose a specialty, such as cancer or geriatric care, while others serve as general practitioners working with patients suffering from digestive problems, anxiety, heart disease and depression. The American Holistic Nurses Association offers networking opportunities, educational materials and publications, discussion forums online as well as self-care resources – as well as publishing the Journal of Holistic Nursing since 1983.
As a holistic nurse, you must remain abreast of the latest medical technology and treatment techniques, along with understanding physiology of illness and disease to be successful as a practitioner. Furthermore, learning mind-body therapies like hypnosis, aromatherapy and guided imagery into nursing practice is also necessary; you’ll also need to develop communication with patients through active listening and empathy for an effective healthcare setting experience. Finally, keeping abreast of research into psychoneuroimmunology as well as environmental influences on health are equally critical elements to success as a holistic nurse practitioner.
Clinical Experience
Are you intrigued by the idea of incorporating healing practices from ancient and modern traditions into nursing? A career as a holistic nurse practitioner could be right up your alley. Holistic nurse practitioners perform many of the same duties as registered nurses, such as administering tests and assessing patients, but with an additional focus on physical, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing – often using natural therapies as well as encouraging diet changes, exercise regimes, meditation sessions and lifestyle modifications as means to achieve this end.
Holistic nurse practitioners differ from traditional medical doctors in that they view health as more than simply the absence of disease – they see it as an integrated state of being that may involve herbs, homeopathic remedies, acupuncture or alternative therapies to treat patients as needed. Based on state regulations they may also prescribe medication depending on patient needs in various healthcare settings.
Aspiring holistic nurses must first complete a bachelor’s degree in nursing and become registered nurses. Individuals with associate degrees in nursing can advance their studies through RN-to-BSN programs that qualify them to sit the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) and earn their RN license. For those looking for graduate-level studies in holistic care, master of Science or Doctor of Nursing Practice degrees with emphasis areas can also be earned.
Graduate certificates in holistic nursing provide another viable option for those wishing to incorporate holistic principles into their practice without earning a full degree. NYU provides a three-course sequence incorporating 350 clinical hours as an add-on for its family nurse practitioner program, while University of Connecticut provides an online graduate certificate in holistic nursing.
Certification
If the idea of providing comfort and care for patients while helping them overcome physical and psychological conditions intrigues you, becoming a holistic nurse could be a career option worth exploring. Nurses employed in holistic health practice use various healing modalities and techniques such as meditation, massage therapy, exercise programs, yoga, mindfulness practices, reiki and dietary changes depending on each patient.
Step one to becoming a holistic nurse starts with earning an RN degree. Registered nurses who wish to specialize in holistic health must obtain their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree and pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). In order to increase job prospects further, some RNs opt for earning their Master’s of Nursing Degree as well.
Nurses looking to become holistic NPs must complete continuing education courses and pass the American Holistic Nurses Certification Corporation examination. Course topics range from psychoneuroimmunology, integrative and alternative medicine and spiritual, emotional and mental wellbeing – nurses may find CNE classes online or attend conferences that focus on these issues.
Holistic nurses bring their expertise to various healthcare settings, but many tend to specialize in specific fields. According to Beginnings from the American Holistic Nurses Association’s Winter 2011 edition, one such field is wellness coaching; nurses offering this service work with individuals on creating and implementing plans that address weight, stress levels, diet or any other aspects that could compromise their wellbeing that affect health.
Holistic nurses perform several duties that include teaching mind-body healing practices to patients, aiding meditation and mindfulness techniques, counseling on dietary changes, as well as offering talks or seminars about wellness and healing. Demand for holistic NP is growing as more patients look for alternatives to traditional medical treatments that solely rely on medication.
Career Opportunities
Holistic nurse practitioners can be found working in nearly every healthcare and wellness setting, offering comprehensive patient care beyond physical needs, helping their patients recover emotionally from life-altering illness or injury. Holistic NPs may prescribe medication, homeopathy remedies or herbal supplements or suggest lifestyle changes in order to promote holistic wellbeing for their patients.
As with other RNs, holistic nurses must complete either an associate degree in nursing (ADN) or bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) program before passing the National Council Licensure Examination to become licensed registered nurses. After some experience has been gained, holistic nurses may opt for a master’s degree with an emphasis on holistic care so as to develop their specialization and gain more insight into complementary alternative and integrative medicine modalities.
Many RNs discover they possess a natural talent for holistic nursing, which they can apply in different healthcare environments. According to data provided by the American Holistic Nurses Association, hospitals, birthing centers, private practices, educational institutions and health and wellness coaching clinics are common workplace settings for these practitioners.
Holistic nurse practitioners possess professional abilities that encompass acknowledging the sacredness of being, encouraging self-care and healing through mindfulness and meditation practices, connecting with patients on a spiritual level and caring for the environment as a part of overall health and wellbeing.
Holistic nurses looking to advance in their field can benefit from becoming certified through the American Holistic Nurses Credentialing Corporation, giving them an edge when seeking employment or promoting professional skills. Certification levels include holistic nurse board certified, nurse coach board certified and advanced practice holistic nurse board certified; continuing education units (CEUs) will generally be necessary for renewal purposes.
