Anyone done NIWH Whole Health Educator program?

[BetterSafe]

Has anyone completed (or know anything about) the National Institute of Whole Health (NIWH) Whole Health Educator for Nurses program? If so, have you become a Certified Holistic Nurse? What's the verdict? I'm trying to learn if it would be helpful to my career. I believe the education itself will be very valuable for the knowledge itself, and to help patients, but I'm asking more in terms of credentials, job obtainment and career advancement. The course is not free, so I'm thinking of payback in terms of the practical, realistic stuff.

Also, I'm trying to learn about coaching options independent from a hospital setting. Is it possible to teach classes or do one on one counseling with this certification. What would be the legalities, and how does it work with an RN scope of practice? Does anybody have any experience with this?

Thanks for any input!

[Icooka4u]

The program is designed to be completed within a year, with a maximum time of 18 months. The first half is completing the modules, then you take a test. After that, you meet 6 times with 3 different clients, and write it all up in a paper. I'm trying to complete the modules a little more quickly so that I can have more time for the client visits and paper writing. I am also hoping to transition into a more holistic role, whether it ends up being my primary job or something I can do from home as additional income. It's hard to predict what you'll be able to do with it, but I do know that more corporations and insurance companies are hiring nurses to act as wellness coaches for their employees and clients. I think its a field that is going to grow in the coming years as more people become interested in alternative health care strategies. My website is currently a blog where I'll be posting about what I'm learning. I'm hoping to get some followers who will be interested in my services when I'm done. The site is owningwellness. Feel free to check it out and good luck with your own endeavors!

Aesthetically you website/blog page is BEAUTIFUL! Can't wait to read some of your experiences/posts!

[Providence60, MSN, PhD, RN]

Hello fellow NIWH participant,

So pleased to hear how much you are enjoying this program as much as I am! It really is very unique and the best option for nurses seeking real credentials for health and wellness patient education work in either a medical practice or for our own private practice. I've looked at a LOT of programs online and this program gives so much more value (at about the same cost) as other programs. And, the other programs don't allow you to earn an NPI number or nurse CE contact hours or all the other perks it gives. I encourage you to go on the program's monthly call-ins as there is a lot of discussion on them about what other graduates are doing and it's quite impressive! On one of the calls, I heard it explained how Medicare is pushing disease prevention and health education big time, so nurses can do very well with this training and certification.

LOL, ---------------- might be upset to hear you call yourself a coach because this program is SO much more than coaching. You can do so much more with this program than can a coach (check out comparison chart at Whole Health Training - Accredited | National Institute of Whole Health). Good luck with everything and I hope to see more of your comments in this forum!

[Natasha A., CNA, LVN]

Hi Providenc60, thank you for this link. However do you have to have a BSN degree? I did see that it said prequisite to enter the program is to have a health care degree. Thanks

[Kathy H]

Hi Providenc60, thank you for this link. However do you have to have a BSN degree? I did see that it said prequisite to enter the program is to have a health care degree. Thanks

I was just looking at the site and it says degree or license.

[Natasha A., CNA, LVN]

Thank you Kathy. You have been helpful! I am in the process of finding a reputable program that specializes.

[Kathy H]

Hello fellow NIWH participant,

So pleased to hear how much you are enjoying this program as much as I am! It really is very unique and the best option for nurses seeking real credentials for health and wellness patient education work in either a medical practice or for our own private practice. I've looked at a LOT of programs online and this program gives so much more value (at about the same cost) as other programs. And, the other programs don't allow you to earn an NPI number or nurse CE contact hours or all the other perks it gives. I encourage you to go on the program's monthly call-ins as there is a lot of discussion on them about what other graduates are doing and it's quite impressive! On one of the calls, I heard it explained how Medicare is pushing disease prevention and health education big time, so nurses can do very well with this training and certification.

LOL, ---------------- might be upset to hear you call yourself a coach because this program is SO much more than coaching. You can do so much more with this program than can a coach (check out comparison chart at Whole Health Training - Accredited | National Institute of Whole Health). Good luck with everything and I hope to see more of your comments in this forum!

Interesting info. How can I go on the program's monthly call without being registered in the program? I'd love to get an idea of the program before committing. Thanks

[Kathy H]

Conor,

Thanks for all the info. Would you happen to know whether there are any limitations to this in Connecticut? Thank you

Kathy

[Providence60, MSN, PhD, RN]

Hi Kathy,

No, there are not any limitations to this credential in CT as the program provides a NATIONAL credential and thus does not limit one to state regulations where one lives or practices.

[Providence60, MSN, PhD, RN]

Hi! Yes you need to have a degree or license in a health career or focus. The best way to know for certain if you qualify for the program would be to call and talk with someone at the program (Whole Health Training and Education - Accredited | Holistic Health Programs). Hope this is helpful!

[Providence60, MSN, PhD, RN]

Hi Kathy,

It depends on which of the National Institute of Whole Health programs you are interested in. To learn more about the requirements for the various programs offered, use this link Prerequisites | National Institute of Whole Health for looking at what your current education qualifies you for taking from the NIWH. Hope this was helpful!

[Providence60, MSN, PhD, RN]

Hi Proverbs, sorry for the delay in seeing your post! I've answered a question Kathy posted below and the link Prerequisites | National Institute of Whole Health gives the requirements for the various programs NIWH offers. Hope this helps!

[Ppayne]

Hello to everyone,

I am a recent graduate of the NIWH 3-in-1 Nurse Educator/Advocate program and wanted to add my experience of the program to the ongoing thread.

I completed the Duke Integrative Medicine Health Coaching Program in 2016 and from there continued my education with the NIWH program.

The Duke program was a wonderful foundation for coaching and set the stage for NIWH. My goals are to provide the most up to date, research based health information people are desperately searching for in a way that can be easily understood, and tailored to the specific needs of that individual. NIWH provided me with what I needed to be able to do this. As already stated so beautifully by other graduates, this is an all encompassing program. It is a learning environment that encourages and supports deep knowing and reflection on the materials given in the modules. I am one of the students that needed more time per week to complete each module, but that was my decision and not necessitated by the curriculum. I have grown in my knowledge base, and in my independent critical thinking skills. I am grateful for this program and all the staff that have the student's best interests as top priority - and so the future clients we will have a relationship with. Highly recommend it!