Re: How to become a holistic nurse?

Originally Posted by collegegrad08

What type of facility does a holistic nurse work in?

If you are just a holistic nurse in say a med/surg or psych floor, would you be given a chance to use the knowledge you gained?

Or is the certificate where it ends?

Hi-
I'm new to the forums, so my reply to you is a bit late. Your question is a common one. I wondered the same thing, until I learned what being holistic really means. I've been certified in holistic nursing since 1999, and like many holistic nurses, I have worked in a variety of settings. I'm a family NP now, and even in a busy clinic setting, I deliver holistic care. Holistic nursing is about caring for the 'whole' person-body, mind and spirit. I believe that every nurse and nursing student should first be holistic, and then choose an area of nursing to practice that holistic philosophy. Many nursing theories are built around this. You might learn modalities and other aspects of healing in relation to body-mind and spirit but the basic philosophy is in how you practice. I was a holistic nurse long before I ever heard of 'holistic nursing.' I know I'm in good company. I suspect that if a nurse are attracted to the study of holistic nursing, then they are already a holistic nurse. Best wishes on your journey! I look forward to hearing all about it.

Re: How to become a holistic nurse?

Hi HolisticNP,

Thank you for your post. Is there an NP program that's geared towards Holistic Nursing? Thank you!

Re: How to become a holistic nurse?

"Active practice as a holistic nurse for a
minimum of one (1) year full-time or 2,000
hours within the last five (5) years part time"

This is one of the criteria for certification. How do you get into nursing in the holistic field without being certified? I guess what I am trying to say is, doesn't that sound a little backwards or am I misunderstanding this?

Re: How to become a holistic nurse?

Originally Posted by gabriella86

"Active practice as a holistic nurse for a
minimum of one (1) year full-time or 2,000
hours within the last five (5) years part time"

This is one of the criteria for certification. How do you get into nursing in the holistic field without being certified? I guess what I am trying to say is, doesn't that sound a little backwards or am I misunderstanding this?

My take on it-and I may be wrong-is that once you become an RN and start implementing holistic or CAM modalities (i.e. guided imagery, acupressure, etc), then you can become certified under their time requirements.

The next question is 'How do I go about learning these techniques?'. I believe the association has a list of approved educational programs that you could enroll. Many of these programs involve distance learning. I don't think that their list is exclusive though.

I would just look into what kind of paperwork is needed to prove the 2,000 or one year requirement.

Good luck

Re: How to become a holistic nurse?

Originally Posted by gabriella86

"Active practice as a holistic nurse for a
minimum of one (1) year full-time or 2,000
hours within the last five (5) years part time"

This is one of the criteria for certification. How do you get into nursing in the holistic field without being certified? I guess what I am trying to say is, doesn't that sound a little backwards or am I misunderstanding this?

I have looked into this as well..it does sound a bit backwards. The issue I am running into is where can you practice these modalities? I know there are some hopitals where you can volunteer to do reiki, but besides that I am a bit confused as how one would go about getting expereince.

Re: How to become a holistic nurse?

There is a move to have some type of Holistic certifications for ADN's. I am using my nursing in a Holistic business. I am teaching a 4 quadrant balanced living model. I am finding great fulfillment in this business, and I also do aromatherapy, and incorporate this into what I do. You can email me at herbalnurse919@msn.com for more detailed information about what I am doing.

Re: How to become a holistic nurse?

Can you tell me what/where the three programs are? I am extremely interested in holistic nursing and am starting the process of going back to school to get my BSN (currently have my BS in another field)?

Re: How to become a holistic nurse?

Originally Posted by Brushfire

Can you tell me what/where the three programs are? I am extremely interested in holistic nursing and am starting the process of going back to school to get my BSN (currently have my BS in another field)?

There is actually more than three. I was think if my school being the only three that has our theory series (Modeling and Role modeling) which is holistic.

There is a list of all the schools

http://www.ahncc.org/home/endorsedschools.html

Re: How to become a holistic nurse?

Hi,

I am in the same boat as you and I'm really interested in getting this certification but I'm confused about the process - did you get any more info on how to earn the modality hours?

Thanks

Re: How to become a holistic nurse?

The practice requirement for certification isn't "backwards" -- all the generalist (undergrad-level) nursing certifications (regardless of which agency offers them) require that you have completed some specific minimum number of hours of clinical practice in the specific specialty in order to be eligible.

The point of certification isn't to enable you to get into the specialty; it's to prove/document that you are an experienced, competent clinician in that specific specialty.

The advanced practice certifications used to also require a year or more (depending on whether you were working full-time or part-time) of clinical experience before you were eligible for certification, but it was so hard to find a job as an APN without the advanced practice certification that the national certifying organizations changed that and decided to let people get certified right out of school (they made that change shortly after I had completed the original CNS certification process (including all the hours of experience and clinical supervision after I graduated), and I recall being pretty offended by that -- but I've found over the years that nobody in nursing really cares what I think ... ).