STANDARDS FOR HOLISTIC NURSING PRACTICE: A Way to Think About Our Care

by VickyRN Staff

The Standards of Holistic Nursing Practice were developed by the American Holistic Nurses Association (AHNA) as a public statement regarding the practice of holistic nursing as a specialty. This article reviews the development of the practice standards, and presents the philosophies and values which underpin holistic nursing. Certification in the speciality is awarded through the American's Holistic Nurses' Certification Corporation (AHNCC) to nurses able to demonstrate knowledge and skills described in the Standards. The relationship between holistic nursing practice and complementary and alternative modalities is discussed.