[birdy88]

I am a pre-nursing student, and I have a question about holistic nursing. I was wondering if an RN lisence is required before you can go on to become a holistic nurse, which I'm assuming requires some sort of certification. Or, is holistic nursing different from an RN? If Nursing school teaches mostly western based medicine, then what use is it to a holistic nurse? I mean I'll gladly go to nursing school if it means I can become a holistic nurse afterwards, but I just wondered how that worked.
I've been thinking about going into to nursing, but started to worry because alot of the things I believe I know differ from that of traditional western medicine. If anyone has any answers I'd really appreciate it!!

[amberdawns1]

Holistic nursing is a way of nursing at all levels; its unifies all aspects of the human realm. It is used in everyday nursing!..or should be!

[softstorms]

To be a nurse, you pass state boards! LPN or RN. That makes you a nurse in the eyes of the state. To become holistic? That is a frame of mind. Holistic does not require state confirmation. I know many home heath care givers that have no training, that give holistic care. When I was in nurses training, they said "holistic" was treating the pt. and the family. It is so much more now. It may be treating without medications, it may be treating with more medications. It may be treating outside the bounds of our teachings. I think holistic is more about treating the pt. within thier own ideas, than our own.

[HolisticNP]

I agree with the other responses. Being a holistic nurse is about how you believe and act, and it isn't reserved for your work life. It is about being truly present, and acknowledging that we are body, mind AND spirit. You can always learn specific modalities such as healing touch, imagery, aromatherapy... but you can be a holistic nurse without this. The actual wording can be a bit confusing-holistic nurse, holistic practitioner and so on. I consider myself a holistic nurse practitioner and I happen to be certified in specific modalities such as imagery. You can always learn more, but your basic way of being and 'how' you deliver care is what makes you a holistic nurse. There are whole books, courses and more written about this topic. Some nursing programs are more holistically based than others. If you can be choosy, shop carefully for just the right program that supports your own philosophy. Best wishes!