You may think holistic nursing is a new concept, but for as long as there have been nurses, this practice has been alive and well. Florence Nightingale herself was a proponent of holistic nursing, which is basically a set of principles related to the interconnected nature of the mind, body and spirit. Holistic nurses believe that the only way to effectively heal people is to consider their whole being emotional, environmental, mental, physical and spiritual. It is possible to embark on a nursing career that focuses on holistic healing, which may be one of the most satisfying career choices you could make.
Holistic nurses are medical professionals who espouse a commitment to healing the whole person, according to the American Holistic Nurses Association. Nurses and other medical practitioners in this field adhere to a set of principles set forth in the Complementary and Alternative Healthcare guidebook, which is meant to be integrated with the American Nurses Associations acknowledged practices. Holistic nurses receive education and training just like any other registered nurses, but their specialty focuses on the idea that healing relies as much on touch, caring, love and interconnectedness as it does on medicine and treatment. This isnt just a bunch of hand-holding, though. There is a body of knowledge and a proven set of theories backed by research that these nurses must learn, all of which provides them with the skills and standards defined for the profession.
Requirements to Become a Holistic Nurse
- Complete a high school diploma or the equivalent.
- Finish a bachelors degree. This could be a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, or an equivalent degree in any allied health field.
- Pass the HN-BC examination.
- Complete a hands-on internship, focused on holistic healing.
- Pass the nursing certification exams.
- Complete a Master of Science in Nursing.
- Pass the advanced AHN-BC examination.
- Complete 2,000 hours of hands-on training in the field of holistic nursing. This may be spread out over as many as five years.
The average salary for holistic nurses is around $44,000, but this can change dramatically depending on location, experience and whether you work in management or choose a specialty that earns higher pay. You may choose a holistic nursing specialty such as Biological Practices, Mind Body Medicine or Whole Medical Systems. With its focus on the mind, body and spirit, this can be one of the most rewarding nursing careers.
