Anyone an Herbalist?

Published

Hello! I am currently taking a beginner botanical medicine course with the hopes of continuing to their intermediate and professional programs eventually. I would love to somehow integrate being a practicing registered herbalist and a registered nurse. Obviously taking care to be aware of practice limitations. I am still on the beginning of this path but I'm curious if there are others.

On 2/23/2019 at 10:36 AM, Thefourofus said:

Know your scope of practice and how to apply the laws in your state is the primary concern. Language is key. I've been a nurse herbalist for at least two years now. I have a carefully worded and explicit disclaimer. I work as part of a team and my clients are well aware of the lines of demarcation. I am careful to go over the clause and what they can expect from me and what I expect from them. I have permissions statements so that I can communicate with their PCP. AHNA has a position statement that is part of our scope of practice and my state has a complementary practice clause.

Education is as one respondent suggested like another educational program separate from nursing. One will find this the case for any modality that they want to practice. Nurses have a lot at stake as do our clients/patients when we discuss and chose to use complementary health approaches (formerly CAM).

I use a variety of approaches and all of them has taken a significant amount of study. I'm now preparing for the Nurse Coach Board and working on a doctorate of Health Psychology with a focus on psychoneuroimmunology as we speak. I also am board certified in holistic nursing as an advanced holistic nurse (AHN-BC) and just completed a renewal cycle with well over 1000 hours of education for a 5 yr cycle--required 100 hrs for a renewal cycle.

Thank you for this information! I want to start working on holistic nutrition certificate. What schools/programs would you recommend? I see some that are accredited by AHNA, and others accredited by naturopath associations (but appropriate for RNs I think)...hard to tell the difference between them. Any advice would be appreciated, thank you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

My concern would be to first become certified in holistic nursing. Then consider modalities (DHA). Holistic Nursing has a scope and standards of practice and a Position Statement that supports one's use of modalities and guides one's practice in that arena. A lot depends on your state laws. State laws have changed markedly since the APRN has divided the practice of nursing. The consensus model literally disenfranchized a sizeable group of RNs. You either practice at the level of a BSN at the bedside no matter what your education is or your practice as an APRN (with the proper level of education of course). There is no in between again depending on how your state laws have been written. APRN is judged as advanced practice based on providing medical diagnosis and prescriptive authority as in the medical model. Why a profession would knowingly disenfranchise part of the profession just makes no sense to me, but they did--it's in writing and cited.

I would not spend time and money obtaining a bunch of expensive education that you cannot use just because you like the idea. Taking care of the basics first is the most important thing you can do.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Nutrition is a hard one because of the way AND has run from state to state making laws airtight. They tried in FL but we have a pretty aware state nursing association. Again you have to know your practice act. I focus my practice on nutrition as the foundation of clinical health promotion and wellbeing. From there I move out to other modalities. I only practice a few and those that have added value.

I'm not sure where you are in your nursing education but where ever it is I would start studying for your Holistic Nursing Boards at the appropriate educational designation. You could do that by attending one of the schools that's endorsed by AHNCC. Otherwise, you will need to take a prep program and have enough years practicing holistically. Holistic nursing is not about what the nurse is doing--modalities, that is the integrative part and it is about doing. How are you when you practice is what makes one a holistic nurse. The Scope and Standards of Holistic Nursing Practice guides one's practice. As an example, I've been practicing holistically most of my professional life. I first practiced as a respiratory therapist. When I became a nurse I still have to practice two years earning the credit hours to take the holistic nursing boards. I'm in the process of writing my dissertation in my doctorate. I still am referencing the S & S to make sure that I am on track with my research study so that it is a holistic nursing research study.

A nurse is a nurse 24 hours a day 7 days a week everything we do is nursing. I want to make sure of the way I am being is in keeping with what is at my center. Its who I am and how I interact with others that is holistic. Nurse Coaching(r) is based on the same principles.

I hope that is helpful...I surely didn't understand it when my first nursing professor said what I just did...I glazed over and it took years for me to get it because I wanted to set the world on fire. ---I still do truth be known otherwise I wouldn't be in my terminal degree. ? and looking for fellowships.

I hope you find your path...sometimes it takes us slowing down and listening--observing to see what is calling us to do. Once you've found your path you get to stop frantically doing your job" and looking for the next thing., you get to be who you are...it brings a certain joy and satisfaction.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU, trauma, neuro.

I will soon be graduating as a PMHNP and would be interested in integrating holistic and integrative medicine (including herbals) into my practice. I've read many placebo controlled studies for some interventions such as SAM-e. Are there any training courses aimed NP's?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

The training for an NP is no different than it is for anyone else that wants to practice as an herbalist. The hitch is that you want to find a top quality school that has a clinical component to it. I would suggest programs like Thomas Easley's (NC) program, any program that has Guido Masse as an instructor (Vermont). Mathew Wood's program I believe is in MI. Accuherbs their herbal school has a different name but you can find it by finding Accuherbs is in Tampa/St Pete area. Have a look on AHG website and join AHG. Most of all remember there is NO direct substitution drug for herb. You will need to learn a different way of assessment to use herbs successfully. Another must is remembering that FOOD is the first rung on the ladder; no herb nor drug is going to work unless the person is taking care of their gut FIRST.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU, trauma, neuro.

What diet do you find most effective for depression, and anxiety?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in MD, DC, L.Ac, DOAM, LMT.

Question: "Hello! I am currently taking a beginner botanical medicine course with the hopes of continuing to their intermediate and professional programs eventually. I would love to somehow integrate being a practicing registered herbalist and a registered nurse. Obviously taking care to be aware of practice limitations. I am still on the beginning of this path but I'm curious if there are others."

Response: Yes, there are nurses who are also Registered Herbalists through the American Herbalist Guild.

A good beginning course would be found below:

https://www.nurseherbalist.org

One can also be found here: 

https://www.eclecticschoolofherbalmedicine.com/nurse-herbalism/

The nurse who conducted these courses is an Advanced Clinical Herbalist and is a registered herbalist "pending".  She has the clinical experience, education, has completed all of her testing through the AHG, and has her peer review which takes place in October 2021.  I've noticed other nurses promoting themselves as natural nurses having herbal medicine courses or nurses offering "certification courses"  but charge very high prices for training.  I'm sure it teaches some botanical medicine which is helpful but these nurses have not gone the extra time or rigorous step go through an herbal medicine school or to become a register herbalist. 

The AHG is the "gold standard" for herbalists.  It sets a national standard for excellence.  Nurses who are also registered herbalists (RH) have had extensive testing, go before a committee of other medical herbalists and their answers are peer reviewed.  It is a very rigorous process to become a registered herbalist and takes years of academic and clinical experience.  Any one who is claiming to be an herbalist should have their credentials and education carefully scrutinized.  Because there are no licenses or standards besides for herbal/botanical medical school in the USA at this time the best way to to find a good school is to check the American Herbalist Guilds' website for acceptable herbal medicine schools which they recommend.  

I hope this helps.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).

I am recently starting on this but am having trouble vetting schools and programs - How do you know ypu are not getting sucked into a scam.

 

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER.

I'm an RN and a Naturopathic Doctor, I am great with herbs clinically but looking into doing a Registered Herbalist program to get more into the hands on, harvesting, making tictures etc. I would look into the RH, Registered Herbalist programs.

On ‎9‎/‎24‎/‎2021 at 5:28 AM, stan said:

Question: "Hello! I am currently taking a beginner botanical medicine course with the hopes of continuing to their intermediate and professional programs eventually. I would love to somehow integrate being a practicing registered herbalist and a registered nurse. Obviously taking care to be aware of practice limitations. I am still on the beginning of this path but I'm curious if there are others."

Response: Yes, there are nurses who are also Registered Herbalists through the American Herbalist Guild.

A good beginning course would be found below:

https://www.nurseherbalist.org

One can also be found here: 

https://www.eclecticschoolofherbalmedicine.com/nurse-herbalism/

The nurse who conducted these courses is an Advanced Clinical Herbalist and is a registered herbalist "pending".  She has the clinical experience, education, has completed all of her testing through the AHG, and has her peer review which takes place in October 2021.  I've noticed other nurses promoting themselves as natural nurses having herbal medicine courses or nurses offering "certification courses"  but charge very high prices for training.  I'm sure it teaches some botanical medicine which is helpful but these nurses have not gone the extra time or rigorous step go through an herbal medicine school or to become a register herbalist. 

The AHG is the "gold standard" for herbalists.  It sets a national standard for excellence.  Nurses who are also registered herbalists (RH) have had extensive testing, go before a committee of other medical herbalists and their answers are peer reviewed.  It is a very rigorous process to become a registered herbalist and takes years of academic and clinical experience.  Any one who is claiming to be an herbalist should have their credentials and education carefully scrutinized.  Because there are no licenses or standards besides for herbal/botanical medical school in the USA at this time the best way to to find a good school is to check the American Herbalist Guilds' website for acceptable herbal medicine schools which they recommend.  

I hope this helps.

Yes, you are right, AHG, Registered Herbalist programs are the best way to go. The Herbalists  I have worked with from these programs are very good.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER.

I'm not officially an Herbalist but am a Naturopathic Doctor who has done a lot of work with herbs and studied with Herbalists. I am looking into doing an herbalist program. I suggest looking at the schools under the American Herbalist Guild. 

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion