by West

Is there such a thing in Canada? I am thinking about becoming a RN but most of my beliefs are in alternative medicine, but I dont want to take 6 years to be a Natropathic Doctor. Is there a way to combine both? Traditional and Alternative? And if so...... where do you get the training and who do you work for?

Sorry I am a total newbie!! Cheers Erika

Welcome to the wonderful open world of nursing....a holistic nurse is one who thinks 'outside the box' into the alternative or complimentary now called integrative 'medicine' labeled CAM - complimentary and alternativer medicine. There is an asso. the American Holistic Nurses Association (AHNA) and journal. Nurses can be ASN, BSN, MSN or higher degree prepared, and then become holistic often by means of continuing education and certification programs, e.g. Therapeutic Touch, Aromatherapy, Reflexology, etc. I would suggest you eventually plan on becoming a nurse practitioner and then start a practice which focuses on one or two of the therapies. Good Luck!

http://www.ahna.org/edu/certification.html

hth