Career Opportunities for Holistic Nurses

[CaliAlli]

Hi all! I'm very interested in the holistic side of health but am not sure what career options are out there for me if I pursue the holistic nursing track. Can I be a travel nurse? How does holistic nursing differ from the traditional hospital nurse? I just want to know my options before I travel that road.

And since I'm posting right now, I'll ask my other question. What are the pre reqs to be accepted into a naturopathic medical school?

Thank you all in advance! Please keep the answers, comments, and suggestions coming!!!

[nizhoni]

I have concerns about Canyon College, since education-related boards that I subscribe to describe CC as a degree mill. Canyon College does not hold NLN or CCNE accreditation. While that's not strictly necessary for a worthwhile nursing education, it should raise a red flag or three if it's absent. Most graduate nursing programs require "graduation from an accredited nursing program" for admission. I'm not sure if all states require graduation from an accredited nursing school for licensure; one of our major community college nursing programs here in SoCal lost its accreditation at the start of this year but they still have students in their program. California seems to have provisions for licensure for students who graduate from non-accredited programs. Maybe someone can shed additional light on this matter.

Clayton College of Natural Health offers a naturopathic degree, but I understand that it is not accredited by any of the agencies that allow graduates of their program to sit for state or national boards or to practice naturopathic medicine in any state that licenses N.D.s. (Hey, anyone can set up an "accreditation agency." If they are not approved by the U.S. Department of Education, they may well be meaningless.) Unless you are living in one of the few states that recently passed legislation exempting practioners of complementary medicine from practicing medicine without a license, the treatment of *any physical or mental condition* qualifies as the practice of medicine--regardless of the treatment modality. Where the medical practice act is concerned there is no such thing as an "alegal" state. In most states, practicing medicine without a license is a felony.

The key to making your way through all this maze is to get clear about what you want, the specifics of your nursing practice act regarding your area of interest, and any state or local certification requirements for your specialty.

All the best!

Marla

[lesrn2005]

"I am about to start a certificate program in Holistic Nursing and Wellness Counseling."

Hi Agnus: Can you recommend the program you are enrolled in? I'm an RN interested in probably the same things you are! Good to meet you!

[lesrn2005]

I have been looking into more holistic education myself, this is what I have found.

Everglades University in Florida offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Alternative Medicine, that is the one I am interested in the most. It is offered online as well, which is helpful for us working parents.

There is also a place called Clayton College of Natural Health, they offer online options as well in Baachelor of Sciences in; natural health, Holistic Nutrition, and Masters and Doctor degrees as well. They are not costly and you can pretty much work at your own pace. I am not too sure how there accredidation is though. It is something to look into. I have asked them and they have assured me it is valid, but I do not know enough about it.

A naturopath I work with is on the Admissions board at Bastyr University, she says things need to be accredited throught the US board of edu.

Bastyr is another place to check out, although they do not offer online.

You can get a degree or certificate in many areas of holistic care, such as dieticin, nutritionist, ND or Oriental Medicine.

There is also a college in Oregon, which is where I went for certification in Parental Nutritional IV therapy.

Hope this is helpful. Good luck to you!

Everglades University is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology (ACCSCT) 2101 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 302, Arlington, Virginia, [phone].

Hi Agnus: Loved all your posts, do you think the above accreditation of Everglades Univ. is sufficient to employers, then? I'm definitely interested, just want to make sure they're accreditation is sufficient, people have always advised me to be careful about accreditation. Thanks for your reply.

[Herbalnurse]

My husband and I teach wellness classes and I am using my experience as a nurse. I work on a team with holistic nurses, and teaching wellness and prevention has fullfilled this longing. I would love to share what all I am doing.

[email protected]. Just drop me a line, and I would love to answer any questions.

Joyce Harrell,RN,OCN

[tsentas]

Hi All,

I realize that these posts are very old... but if any of you are still interested in holistic health care... I have something new and exciting, I retired from nusing fifteen years ahead of schedule to be part of a ground floor opportunity that I think will change the way we see health care.

[elprup, BSN, RN]

Hi All,

I realize that these posts are very old... but if any of you are still interested in holistic health care... I have something new and exciting, I retired from nusing fifteen years ahead of schedule to be part of a ground floor opportunity that I think will change the way we see health care.

I would love to hear about it! :):)

[carriebarton59]

I'm very interested too.....

[mharrah]

please share!

[wishin*on*a*star]

I'm very interested. Just returned to nursing part time. Peds office. But I'm currently researching holistic nursing...maybe wellness counseling. Obviously no concrete plan yet. Please share :)

[lemonspark]

I am interested as well... Please share.

[kt_b]

Oh I think your humble opinion has hit the nail squarely on the head. As much as we HATE it health care is a profit driven industry.

It is more profitable to keep you sick and treat with expensive treatments and drugs than it is to keep you healthy.

I moved in January of this year. I have yet to find a physician. Although I have had to resort to Chiropractic due to job stress. The last couple of days I have been off and had a bad lower respitory infection.

I am a nurse I know how to treat it. Am doing very well thank you. Now here is my delima. I work this weekend SAT Sun Mon. To "legally" stay home and take care of myself I have to go to a physician and get an excuse. Which will probably mean I have to demonstrate I am sicker than I am. I am trying to get better for pete sake. So I will either call in without an excuse or go to work sick. ummm. I'll see how I am but I really don't think I could get the excuse because I am working on getting better not staying sick. I might just go to urgent care tomorrow FRI. and see. Because 3 days in a row knock the stuffings out of me when I am at my best.

Know we know what is likely to happen if I go to work. and that runs me down even more. Then I become really sick.

There is your profit. just keep me sick. Don't give me a chance to recover and probably perscribe some abx which I doubt are appropriate. Instead of elevating HOB when sleeping, using hot teas, soup etc to clear air ways. getting some fresh air. (cant do that working in hosp). Taking my vitimines and getting lots of fresh fruits etc. And pacing self with activites. Deep breathing and coughing. Yea they'd really appreciate the coughing at work.

What school are you going to to take holistic classes?

[elprup, BSN, RN]

Wonder if it's really true or not?

It's been a while....