Holistic nursing is defined by the AHNA as “all nursing practice with healing the complete person as its objective”.
Florence Nightingale, considered the sole founder of modern nursing, is also regarded as the founder of holistic nursing. According to Nightingale, holistic nursing ensures nurses focus on the principles of holism, unity, wellness, and the interrelationship between human beings and their environment.
“We can promote healing or be a hindrance to healing. That is a huge component of holistic nurse certification,” Lorenz-Miller says. She continued, “You must have a consistently caring presence with unconditional love and positive regard for that human being. You must treat each patient like a family member.”
The Five Major Core Values of Holistic Nursing
- Holistic Philosophy and Education
- Holistic Ethics, Theories, and Research
- Holistic Nurse Self-Care
- Holistic Communication, Therapeutic Environment, and Cultural Competence
- Holistic Caring Process
What Do Registered Nurses in the Holistic Field Do?
Using complementary and integrative therapies, holistic nurses treat their patients’ entire beings—mind, body, and spirit—in order to achieve complete wellness. All teaching modalities are used by holistic nurses to impart wellness and preventative healthcare knowledge to their patients and communities.
Some standard techniques and therapies used by holistic nurses:
- Acupuncture
- Educate patients on stress-management skills
- Aromatherapy
- Massage
- Balneotherapy, hypnosis, and hydrotherapy
- Chinese medicine and Eastern healing methods
- Coaching for Wellness
- Herbal treatments
- Reflexology
- Suggestions for changes in the diet
- Guided imagery
- Exercise regimens
- Meditation
- Biofeedback
Getting Started as a Holistic Registered Nurse
To obtain a qualified registered holistic nurse certification, you will need to complete the following major steps:
Step 1: Enroll in a nursing program
You will need to earn either an ADN or a BSN from an accredited nursing school to take the very first steps to become a registered nurse. Nurses with an ADN degree may wish to go one step further and earn their BSN.
Step 2: Accomplish and Pass the NCLEX-RN
You have to pass the NCLEX examination to become a registered nurse.
Step 3: Develop Your Bedside Skills
Before becoming a holistic registered nurse, individuals should have a few years of bedside experience. Unlike other professions, holistic nursing does not often require a certain amount of bedside experience.
Step 4: Get Your Certification
Multiple certifications are available for holistic nurses through the American Holistic Nurses Credentialing Corporation. These include the Advanced Holistic Nurse Board Certification (AHN-BC), Holistic Nurse Baccalaureate Board Certification (HNB-BC), and Holistic Nurse Certification.
Which Characteristics Make the Best Holistic Nurses?
Holistic nurses must first and foremost be compassionate and able to understand the patient as a complete, encompassing body, mind, and spirit.
According to Lorenz-Miller, “loving is the most important element of being a holistic nurse.” “A holistic nurse must be someone who sees the world with a clear lens,” she says. “They don’t have their implicit biases and aren’t bringing their baggage to work,” she says.
“They aren’t reactive, but they are empathetic,” she added.
Patient comfort is of utmost importance when it comes to patient care. “We look at always promoting comfort for our patient population with guided imagery, massage therapy techniques, biofeedback, energy work, aromatherapy, and more,” she says.
Where Do Registered Nurses Who Work Holistically Work?
Although they can operate in a variety of settings, holistic nurses usually choose to work outside of the normal hospital environment. They can work in places other nurses couldn’t because of this. Holistic nurses employ a variety of different approaches and procedures that do not require the same tools as typical bedside nurses.
The following places are where holistic registered nurses can find employment:
- Medical Day Spas
- Patient’s Home
- Private Practices
- Birthing Centers
- Hospitals
- Wellness Center
- Academic Centers
- Gyms
- Private Consultants
What specific academic qualifications are needed to become a holistic nurse?
Before submitting an application for license renewal, it is important to confirm the particular regulations in your state with the board of nursing. Typically, in order to renew their license, a person must submit an application, complete a predetermined number of CEUs, and pay a small fee. The CEU requirement will be for the state of permanent residence if the RN license is a part of a compact nursing license. Additionally, several jurisdictions want CEUs in child abuse, drug addiction, and pain management.
