Re: Holistic RN or chiropractic?

I want to ditto what RNDave said, I am also a Chiroractor and am currently hoping for acceptance in RN program in August 2008. His decription of Chiropractic is valid. In my case, I was never happy with the business aspect of running a practice. Being a businessman is unfortunately a large part of continued success. Much of your time is spent marketing and trying to reach out to those that need your services. There is not a great referral system with most Medical practicioners and working with insurance companies and managed care can complicate the issues further. Check into the options before you commit to the financial burdens associated with the training and starting and maintaining a practice.

Re: Holistic RN or chiropractic?

I know this is an old post but I'm adding my .02 worth in case any well meaning RN's are thinking the grass is greener (money green) on the other side.

First, your nursing education will help you ZERO as a D.C. You are MUCH, MUCH better off advancing in your current field. As a D.C. you can make a larger income as a business owner, however, think about what I just said...a business owner....you can make money as a business owner selling candles; no malpractice, no headaches, no MD/DC controversy, no regrets (not big ones anyway). Making good income as a D.C. is the EXCEPTION, not the norm. Good money is $85-95K gross off of a clinic that's making $250K or so.

Chiro school will run you about $100K - $140K depending on your needs. That is not fiscally sound: getting in debt $100+K to make $85K gross. It's stupid.

On a personal note many, many, many D.C.'s are quietly leaving the field to pursue other careers such as (you guessed it) NURSING. Me included. Why? Many reasons but the average D.C. associate makes about $42K a year w/o ANY benefits. The profession (basically the schools) sells itself as complimentary medicine...nothing is further from the truth. It is alternative medicine along with naturopathy, acupuncture, etc. Except the medical profession tolerates the latter two more than chiropractic. Don't believe me? Read the net sources...you'll see.

Bottom line is you can be an RN in two years minimum and make $70K+ in many areas. With a little work you can make over $100K with advanced practice and have a career that people will pay to keep you. In chiro...none of this is true. The worst feeling is knowing in an emergency as a D.C. you are utterly useless. True, you may know enough anatomy, biology, physics, etc. to UNDERSTAND what's going on but your training, scope of practice and practical knowledge will not allow you to do very much, in fact, precious little. Think about it and you will see for yourself.

THINK...THINK...THINK...DON'T PIPE 'DREAM'.

Re: Holistic RN or chiropractic?

It sounds like you want to be a licensed naturopathic physician. In many states it is illegal to practice"holistic medicine", natural medicine or anything remotely sounding like naturopathic medicine without a license to practice it. which is an ND (or NMD in Arizona). It is practicing medicine without a license. See the wbsite for the American Association of Naturopathic doctors for accredited colleges and universities. They are 4 year programs with internship and you don't work under anyone. You are considered a primary care physician.

Re: Holistic RN or chiropractic?

The term holistic practitioner really describes a way of being and viewing others: body, mind and spirit. A holistic nurse or chiropractor (and others) can have a holistic practice if they care for their 'patients' as whole beings. You can also learn other modalities and incorporate those into your practice. I know of chiropractors who are very holistic just by their way of being while others also practice Reiki, imagery, breathing, nutritional counseling, or have massage therapists in their office...
Should you be a nurse or chiropractor? Nursing offers many paths and specialties. You can be an employee or be self employed. You can continue for advanced degrees such as nurse practitioner. If you have a family, you'll want to see what working hours work best for you. Nurses sometime are expected to work week-ends and holidays.
Most of all, though, you've got to consider the basic philosophy of health. Chiropractors have certain beliefs about health (the power is in the proper alignment of the spine) that may be very different than nurses. Maybe not. Where are your beliefs? If you choose a career based on your own beliefs, you'll find your way. I've found that if I follow my heart, wonderful opportunities land in my lap.
Best wishes!

Re: Holistic RN or chiropractic?

Originally Posted by mrso16

It sounds like you want to be a licensed naturopathic physician. In many states it is illegal to practice"holistic medicine", natural medicine or anything remotely sounding like naturopathic medicine without a license to practice it. which is an ND (or NMD in Arizona). It is practicing medicine without a license. See the wbsite for the American Association of Naturopathic doctors for accredited colleges and universities. They are 4 year programs with internship and you don't work under anyone. You are considered a primary care physician.

You might be able to legally practice as a PCP in several states, but ND schools lack the training necessary to ethically practice as one. Four to six hundred patient contacts in school combined with the fact that the vast majority of naturopaths do not perform a residency results in a practitioner that lacks the clinical training to operate safely and effectively as a PCP.

Now some FNP programs give advanced standing to naturopaths, which would correct some of the clinical deficiencies.

Re: Holistic RN or chiropractic?

Originally Posted by Josh L.Ac.

You might be able to legally practice as a PCP in several states, but ND schools lack the training necessary to ethically practice as one. Four to six hundred patient contacts in school combined with the fact that the vast majority of naturopaths do not perform a residency results in a practitioner that lacks the clinical training to operate safely and effectively as a PCP.

Similar to chiropractic school except that even less patient contacts are required. No residency is required in chiropractic. You graduate and are able to call yourself 'Dr.' seeing patients without needing a referral. But where would a DC or ND serve a residency? There is no resident system, as there is at teaching hospitals, for an alternative/holistic doctor.

Cheers,
Dave

Re: Holistic RN or chiropractic?

i was reading this posting....just curious...what did you decide to do?

Re: Holistic RN or chiropractic?

I'm kind of curious to know, too! What did you decide, if you're still out there? I've struggled with the same decision, but ultimately keep coming back to nursing.

Also, HolisticNP, thanks for your post. "If you choose a career based on your own beliefs, you'll find your way." I need to remember that anytime I start thinking about doing something in healthcare other than nursing.

Re: Holistic RN or chiropractic?

I know this is an old old post. I too, am a DC, for 8 years. I am currently in my first semester for my BSN (almost done!)...with this semester that is! It was a very difficult task for me to shut down my office (took a whole year) but so far, I have not one regret. I have learned more about patient care than in Chiropractic school. With the economy it is today, and insurance reimbursements going down the tubes it was difficult to make a decent living as a chiro. Some DC's make ALOT of money, but I came to terms with myself such as..I am not a saleswoman, I am not an accountant,receptionist, med claims biller...the list goes on. They didn't tell us in Chiro school that an associates position is hard to come by; we were told we would make a great living for our families. Now I am at a point in my life where I understand that I did not fail. Chiropractic failed me. And on a positive note, becoming a nurse I do not have to worry about overhead, numbers of patients, bills, insurance reimbursements, 401 K, retirement, benefits....
My plan is to go for my NP when I am done. I could totally see myself in that position with patients. I swish everyone the best!

Re: Holistic RN or chiropractic?

I'm an RN and my nursing program incorporated holistic healing and complementary modalities into every aspect of our training. Maybe we are an anomaly? In every single care plan, in addition to all of the medications and cares, we had to have a complementary modality as part of our plan of care. Of course, being students, most of us used "therapeutic presence", but we had some students who were trained and certified in Qi Gong, Healing Touch and hypnosis, and they were encouraged to use those modalities as appropriate. I know of several colleges and universities in my area who incorporate integrative medicine into their nursing programs, as well as at least one where the medical program incorporates IM.

The hospital where I work has a huge outpatient holistic clinic plus a separate hospital staff of RN's whose jobs are to see inpatients and perform complementary healing modalities. I'm able to order an integrative medicine consult for any of my patients who request them (or whom I'm able to convince to give it a try). We offer acupuncture, accupressure, healing touch, massage, music, aromatherapy, talk, and several others. It's exciting to be part of a medical community that gives credence to complementary modalities.

I have to say that I think you'd have a wider scope of practice as a chiropractor (I couldn't live w/o mine!!!), but there are good jobs to be had as an RN certified in one or more complementary modalities. BTW, I'm from MN where we tend to be very "progressive" with our politics and conservative with our medicine. I'd think in Oregon, or anywhere on the West Coast, as well as some other more progressively-thinking states (CO & UT come to mind), you'd be able to make a good living as either a chiropractor or a CAM RN. Follow what your heart is telling you and good luck!