Holistic nursing is a practice that believes that healing involves physical, mental, emotional, environmental and spiritual forces integrate as one towards a unified goal. In short, every aspect of a patient’s life is interconnected, and needs to be integrated into the healing process.
A career in nursing can easily accommodate those who would like to incorporate holistic aspects in the daily care of patients. The first step is to get the necessary formal nursing training which can be accomplished in part or totally from an online nursing program.
- What is the entry level requirements for the holistic nurse? The minimum education required to practice as a professional nurse is an Associate’s degree. This program takes two years to complete and degrees awarded are Associate of Applied Science in Nursing (AAS), Associate of Nursing (AN), and Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN). There is a shift in the nursing profession that is making the Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree more marketable. This degree takes four years to complete. It is absolutely essential that the nursing program you enroll in is NLNAC or CCNE accredited.
- Getting Licensed. All nurses must have a current license to practice nursing. This is done by taking the National Council Licensing Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) exam upon completion of either the two year or four year degree program. The test is the same for both levels of education. As you start to practice nursing you will be ready to think about holistic nursing as a practice model.
- What is the textbook definition of holistic healing? The American Holistic Nurses Association or AHNA defines holistic nursing as “a nursing practice that has healing the whole person as its goal.” Holistic nursing takes on the view point that body, mind, spirit and environment should work in synchronicity towards one single goal: healing.
- How is holistic nursing practiced? The holistic approach to healing has been integrated as one of the practices available to nurses as acknowledged by the American Nurses Association. Holistic nursing can be practiced by any nurse although there are certifications that are available. It takes an understanding that there is a significant body of knowledge derived from research that shows that healing requires not only competent care but other aspects as well. These include acknowledging the intertwining of body, mind and soul or spirit of the patient into the healing process. Once you have decided this view of healing can be integrated into your practice you may begin incorporating those strategies into your nursing practice. The next step is to work towards becoming certified.
- What are the levels of Holistic Nurse Credentialing? There are currently three levels of credentialing available. All require an unencumbered nursing license and graduation from an accredited school of nursing. For nurses that have a diploma or Associate’s degree the Holistic Nurse, Board Certified (HN-BC) is granted. Holistic Baccalaureate Nurse, Board Certified (HNB-BC) is granted to BSN and Advanced Holistic Nurse, Board Certified (AHN-BC) is granted to nurses with a graduate degree.
- Where can an RN seek certification to practice holistic nursing? Prior to seeking a certification, an RN must have already completed the educational and experience requirements necessary to shift into holistic nursing jobs. These include practicing for at least 2,000 hours as a holistic nurse in the last five years and 48 contact hours of continuing education. Then certification can be requested from the American Holistic Nurses Certification Corporation, or the AHNCC. The certification process involves filling out an application form, writing letters of intent and passing the examination.
- What can I expect in the future for this career? Professional nurses are in a stable supply right now in some areas of the country. The job growth as a whole is expected to grow by about 26% in the next ten years. Median nursing salary is around $64,000. That number changes of course, with location, experience and additional training.
Holistic nursing can be incorporated into a nurse’s practice in a formal or informal way. Nurses with an entrepreneurial spirit can even market their services to those who would want a more inclusive approach to healing. This is truly a wide open field within nursing.