Re: Career Opportunities for Holistic Nurses

Agnus, your words seem very wise, and I take them with a smile on my face (and no offense). Thank you for your thoughts. Yes, I probably do seem like a raging extremist, I will admit that. I think that comes from just discovering things. It's like I'm learning all this about alternative medicine and the pharm.industry, and I just want to share it with the world, you know? I'm just overly excited about it, I guess. Also, aside from this excitement, anger drives me. I'm angry that money is priority #1 for the pharm. industry. Also, sadness drives me. I'm so saddened by the fact that there are people who don't care for their health and well being. I'm saddened by the fact that the only thing I'm learning about in nursing school (regarding medication) is drugs, drugs, drugs. I rarely hear about prevention, and I never hear about alternative medicines. Sure there are side effects and complications with natural remedies, but do they occur as often as with the "synthetic" drugs? (I really don't know. I'm just asking. Actually, hormone therapy for women is a great place for me to go and defend myself. I just visited a website after reading this man's book. If interested, go to uzzireissmd.com.) And why go in and create something and alter it in so many different ways then give it to people before looking at the natural remedy and testing it? God made man from dirt..a totally organic, natural substance. We didn't come synthesized in a lab, so why not take things that are in harmony with nature? (My little thought for the day.)

Also, yes, as mentioned there are people who want a simple fix and who do not care and who rely solely on the "infallible" science...but is it my duty to condone such behavior by catering to that mindset and way of living? That contradicts what I believe.

aquarius11, thank you as well for your comments. I feel that empty void now, and I'm not even working as a nurse yet. I want to look into alternative medicine and other forms of nursing along those lines, and that's why I posted this thread originally. I wanted (and still want) to learn other options for me. I want something that will get me out of a hospital. I want something that will keep me from administering drugs. What do I do within the healthcare realm? I guess that's why I'm so discourage in nursing school. I see no light at the end of the tunnel for me. I mean, I know it's there, I just haven't heard or seen enough. I've heard that in the Los Angeles area of California, people are very interested in alternative health. I would love to open up my own place there...but what? What can I offer a community that would fit into the area I want to study? I suppose that with a few more years under my belt, I will be better equipped to answer such questions. Well, I'm done for now. I began and ended this with a heavy heart. Thank you for the insight of those who commented, and thank you to those who read this but didn't respond. Maybe this will get you thinking and ready to post a response.

Let me just add one more thing. I think the Kevin Trudeau books are amazing and mind blowing. I'll leave it at that for now. God bless.

Re: Career Opportunities for Holistic Nurses

You might be a good candidate for hospice nursing. It can be a very rewarding field. But be aware it is not perfect either, and ultimately it too is $$ driven. I did some hospice perdiem for about 6 months until I was laid off.

i share your frustration that is why after 8 years at the the hospital bedside I am looking to do something else.

I am going to take a legal nurse consulting course as well as the holistic program that I am already enrolled it. I may not do more than use it to do some professional or volunteer speaking. I consider it a much too valuable knowledge to keep to my self.

I am also considering opening a retail business totally unrelated to nusing. Selling FAIR TRADE merchandise. I feel the concept matches the philosophy that you and I seem to share one of caring and getting at the source of problems effeciting the human condition.

In many practice setting it is near imposible to practice nursing as a caring profession any more. It can be done in some places but not where I am at this time. Basically I perform tasks, and many essential tasks do not get done.

Oh oh, this is bad you are a student and I am ranting to you about my burn out. But if you are feeling frustrated over these things already my concern for you increases.
Keep looking. Keep that creative mind going. Keep learning. Knowledge is never wasted. And you will find your path.

Re: Career Opportunities for Holistic Nurses

Agnus, thank you. Thank you for your words of encouragement. They really mean something to me. On this dreary day here in Tennessee, I actually found the sunshine through your post. I will keep my mind going. I know that of which I'm capable, and I know that myself is the only thing that could hold me back. I have determination, motivation, creativity, and compassion bigger than this world, and I want to do great things. If God blesses me with many, many years on this Earth, I know that through Him, I can and will accomplish whatever I set my mind to doing. I have so much desire to make a difference, and even though I haven't discovered exactly what the light at the end of the tunnel holds for me, I know all the answers won't fall in my lap at once. I'm going to use my time in nursing school as a tool and as a learning experience to allow bits and pieces of the puzzle to come together. I must be patient but also active.

While I'm typing, I have a question...I was accepted into the honors program, so that means I have to conduct research for the rest of my time here in college (4 semesters). I get to choose what I want to research, and I'm leaning towards the treatment of cancer by natural means. What do you think about that?

Re: Career Opportunities for Holistic Nurses

Cngratulations. I think that is a wonderful choice of research projects. May I make a suggestion? Cancer is a VERY very broad area. Natural treatment of cancer is just as broad. Every type of cancer is different and responds differently. You might want to focus on one type of cancer.

Natural treatments abound in cancer treatment and you will find many many effective non invasive natural therapies that work.

Again you might do better to focus a little. Maybe treatments that are focused on cure.

Or treatments that are palaitive.

Or the science behind mind body connection.

or a specific mind body aproach.

Or one or two specific treatments.
Cures offered out side the US.

There are a gazillion directions you can go here. So you might find it helpful to map out where you want to go and what path you will follow to get there.

Re: Career Opportunities for Holistic Nurses

I think it is good to explore your options in holistic care.
There are many positions for a nurse in holistic care.
Holistic clinics need nurses too. You don't necessarily have to be holistic certified. I actually do not know of a school providing certification in holistic nursing. I live and work in Washington state and the naturopathic school here is Bastyr University, there is also a college of naturopathic medicine in Oregon but again, I do not think they have cerificates in holistic nursing. I could be wrong.
One thing going on that would utilize a nurses skills is the expanding role of naturopaths to use the modality of IV therapy.
If more NDs are going to be doing IV therapy, the more they will require nurses in their practice.
IV therapy would only include natural vitamins and minerals and amino acids so you wouldn't be doing medications. It is a wonderful modality for increasing ones health, especially if there are digestive problems going on.
You could also go into nutrition. You could become a certified holistic nutritionist and be one of the practitioners in a naturopathic clinic. Nutrition is a huge part of holistic health.
Hope this is helpful....good luck to you.

Re: Career Opportunities for Holistic Nurses

Thank you both for your replies! They are very helpful.

Mandolyn, where could I get certification as a holistic nutritionist?

Re: Career Opportunities for Holistic Nurses

http://www.medicaltrainingdirectory..../guideid/1.htm

I am a Holistic Health Practitioner who has a home-based business with my wife.
I am on the other side going towards Nursing now.
I have seen that there is going to be a growing need for multi-skilled people in this field in the years to come. I'm sort of hedging some bets on things; but i feel comfortable in my choices.

There is some need for the public to be more educated in the benefits of Holistic Health as preventative care. I'm also looking into the Nutritionists route, later.

Re: Career Opportunities for Holistic Nurses

I have fouond an online class for a Holistic Health Nursing and Wellness Counseling Certificate Program. It is a one year class that gives you a certification, and then you can go on to sit for the exam with the American Holistic Nursing Association, however you don't have to if you choose not to. If anyone is interested check out www.canyoncollege.edu/cc/holistic/sllabus/outline.htm.

Re: Career Opportunities for Holistic Nurses

Originally Posted by yumaRN1990

I have fouond an online class for a Holistic Health Nursing and Wellness Counseling Certificate Program. It is a one year class that gives you a certification, and then you can go on to sit for the exam with the American Holistic Nursing Association, however you don't have to if you choose not to. If anyone is interested check out www.canyoncollege.edu/cc/holistic/sllabus/outline.htm.

This is the one I have been talking about. As for the AHNA you must meet their requirements for cetification. I suggest you go to their site and look for your self. Like any nursing credential it is NOT just a matter of taking a course.

The certificate offered by Cannon College is not a credential. It is simply a certificate of completion.

If you simply want the knowledge and do not want the certificate of completion or the college credit you can go to Cannon College Site and Down load the list of texts for the course. This is all the instruction they offer there are no classes on line or otherwise to supplement the texts. You get the texts read them and take an on line exam.

Be aware the texts they mention are outdated. You will not even be able to get the editions they mention. I have newer editions. I signed up for the first module and have all the texts but I am not sure that I will sign up for another module since all they offer is this "certificate" and college credit. I do not even know what level college credit. It would seem like upper division but who knows. Based on this and lack of NLN acreditation at thier school other things I am questioning the value of thier program, in terms of being recognized by anyone.

However, I do not consider knowledge wasted and will at least persue studying the texts.

Re: Career Opportunities for Holistic Nurses

Thanks for the update Agnus. How did you get the updated books? I have used, I think it was, buy dot com for texts. Were you able to get the SPN # through their assigned texts?