Career Opportunities for Holistic Nurses

ilbacio · Sep 9, 2006

No confusion. Just curious what the hospital consensus was with nurses integrating holistic care into their practice.

I've since inquired and here in Chicago (UIC & Northwestern hospitals) there is a strong interest in holistic nursing. Sounds like there will be a bright future for nurses who pursue this path.

zenman · Sep 11, 2006

The continued trend will be for hospitals to provide Chevy care versus Mercedes care. Most likely you'll have to look outside the hospital as I did. Hopefully, I'll never have to work in a hospital again. Massage therapy is on the rise.

CaliAlli · Sep 15, 2006

Hey everyone. I just wanted to pop in and get a few things off my mind and onto "paper." I'm getting so discouraged in nursing school. All I hear about is "this drug does this, and this drug does that" and "let's do calculations because it's very important to get the dosage right because do you see this little kid? He's hooked up to about 6 different IV pumps, so we need to make sure we are accurate." I WAS SO MAD! I'm disgusted at this mindset (some if which is ignorance, I'm sure). I want to make a positive difference in people's lives, and there is no way I can give medications to people with a good conscience. To me, hospitals are just a place to stay sick. (I do realize this is a generalization and that there are parts of a hospital where this isn't true.) I don't ever want to work in one. There is a difference in the Health System of America and the Medical System, and I want to work for the Health System. I want to stay a step ahead of the Medical System. I want to keep people well. I want to see well people. I don't want to let them get sick THEN try to "treat" them. Our society isn't based on primary care. It's all based on secondary and tertiary. Why? Money is there! God warned us that the love of money is the root of all evil. Also, I've heard that the Greek word for "pharmacy" means "sorcery." Is this true? If so, God says to stay away from sorcery, so I shouldn't even be around meds.

I'm just rambling. Please look over my mesh of random thoughts. All these ideas are racing at 100mph in my mind, so I'm just spitting them out as they come. I feel like I'm alone in my fight and in my discouragement.

Thanks for reading.

JentheRN05, RN · Sep 15, 2006

Actually there are places you can go and practice as a holistic nurse. I worked for a complimentary therapy doctor. He gave scripts, and I took care of nutritional IVs and made suggestions for different herbs - then of course, pointed them to the doctor to verify my suggestions (which of course weren't wrong).

Cali - the thing you must remember is, to get there from here you have to go through things you don't care to do. There are medications out there that do save lives. But in any case - to be a holistic nurse you have to become a nurse first - no matter how disgusting it is to you. Otherwise I would fully suggest getting into herbalism or becoming a complimentary therapist. You don't have to be a nurse first for those.

Agnus · Sep 15, 2006

Calli, both have there place. Please, don't throw the baby out with the bath water.

Condeming Medicine as a whole is like condeming chiropractic as a whole, or condeming natropathy as a whole or acupuncture as a whole.

None of these is capable of doing everything. Each has its place and each is very good at what it does do. Together they compliment each other.

CaliAlli · Sep 16, 2006

I don't condemn medicine as a whole. I condemn those synthesized, unnatural medicines, which do physical harm to the patient in one way or another. Keep the baby and throw out the bath water. I didn't mean for that last post of mine to sound degrading to any particular person, including nurses and what they do as a profession. It's just the way this country is run, I suppose, that makes me so upset (ex: pulling the wool over people's eyes, wolves running around in sheep's clothing). I just hate the way the pharmeceutical industry goes around hailing their drugs as the only way out...like there is no other alternative. There are so many narrow-minded professionals out there who are either ignorant or who just don't care. I know this simlple post of mine isn't going to move mountains for consumer education, but I just wish everyone would take responsibility for their own health and get themselves educated so that the power of choice could lie in their own hands (and them know that it does).

Also, I think my meaning of the word "disgusting" was taken in the wrong way. I didn't say nursing was disgusting (like, "eww, nursing is gross"). That's a rather juvenile statement. I said that a certain mindset disgusted me (as in it made me mad, not like I was literally sick to my stomach and about to vomit).

Thanks for reading and thanks for the opinions. I am happy others are interested enough to post.:heartbeat

Agnus · Sep 16, 2006

I don't condemn medicine as a whole. I condemn those synthesized, unnatural medicines, which do physical harm to the patient in one way or another. Keep the baby and throw out the bath water. I didn't mean for that last post of mine to sound degrading to any particular person, including nurses and what they do as a profession. It's just the way this country is run, I suppose, that makes me so upset (ex: pulling the wool over people's eyes, wolves running around in sheep's clothing). I just hate the way the pharmeceutical industry goes around hailing their drugs as the only way out...like there is no other alternative. There are so many narrow-minded professionals out there who are either ignorant or who just don't care. I know this simlple post of mine isn't going to move mountains for consumer education, but I just wish everyone would take responsibility for their own health and get themselves educated so that the power of choice could lie in their own hands (and them know that it does).
Also, I think my meaning of the word "disgusting" was taken in the wrong way. I didn't say nursing was disgusting (like, "eww, nursing is gross"). That's a rather juvenile statement. I said that a certain mindset disgusted me (as in it made me mad, not like I was literally sick to my stomach and about to vomit).
Thanks for reading and thanks for the opinions. I am happy others are interested enough to post.:heartbeat

You do not like "synthetic unatural medications". Because they all do some harm. Are you aware that many of the so called natural remedies also carry very real and dangerous risk for harm as well.

I usually tell people who insist that natural is automatically good, that hemlock is natural.

Every thing has the potential for harm. Simply because a medicine is synthetic does not make it more dangerous than one derived solely from nature. Digatalis is natural, are you aware of the deadly risk involved in unskilled use?

I could go on. I believe my friend that you are throwing out the baby with this.

I understand anger and frustration over the inflexibility of the medical model and I believe you are condeming the medical model as a whole.

You say they are pulling wool over the eyes of the consumer yet I believe the wool is in failing to understand that everything has its pace and value.

There are things that only the alopathic medical model CAN effectively treat. It is not perfect but I challenge you to name an alternative that is. As I said all modalities have thier place.

I agree prevention is best and taking responsibility for one's own health. I also know that that is not all there is to it and taking perfect care of one's self does not mean that one will never need treatment surgery or medicine that only allopathy can provide, or can provied most effacatiously.

In all things we must weigh risk against benefits, wether you are talking about a drug, surgery, chiropractic, accupuncture, herbs, etc etc. The all carry risk. Some times the risk is low and the benifit might be even lower.

I never took anything you said personally nor directed at nurses. I hope you don't take my remarks as an attack.

It is frustrating. I believe people need to be educated. There are those who do not wish to learn about alternatives. There are those who will never take personal responsibilty. This was a very very hard lesson for me to learn as a new nurse.

It is not all the doctors and pharmaceutical companies fault. There are many people who want a simple fix. Who don't want to know how or why it may or may not work, and who will do nothing to prevent the problem from ever arising in the first place. There are those who automatically place faith in the traditional "expert" of physician or phamacist.

perhaps you might consider a role as a public educator. Get your nursing degree and use your knowledge to teach people what they need to know about alternatives. I believe having documented knowledge (i.e. your RN) of both sides will give you more cedibility when you educate people about thier alternatives.

Otherwise to some you will just come on as another raving person who is anti modern medicine without any real knowledge of what modern medicine is really all about. There are far too many Tom Cruze out there.

aquarius11 · Sep 17, 2006

CaliAlli,

I have just graduated from nursing school in May and am working on a med-surg unit. It does seem like there is something missing when just doling out meds., which is a large part of the work day. There is usually not enough time between 10 am and 12pm or 2pm meds to stop and actually have a therapeutic conversation with a patient. Anyway I am feeling discouraged with nursing as well and am researching other areas such as massage therapy and alternative medicine, which I feel could help to complement modern medicine, or in certain cases, have more benefit to the patient. I think that it is worth it for you to look into alternative areas of nursing, if you are going to stick with nursing, but I do not recommend forcing yourself to do something that you do not like.

CaliAlli · Sep 19, 2006

Agnus, your words seem very wise, and I take them with a smile on my face (and no offense). Thank you for your thoughts. Yes, I probably do seem like a raging extremist, I will admit that. I think that comes from just discovering things. It's like I'm learning all this about alternative medicine and the pharm.industry, and I just want to share it with the world, you know? I'm just overly excited about it, I guess. Also, aside from this excitement, anger drives me. I'm angry that money is priority #1 for the pharm. industry. Also, sadness drives me. I'm so saddened by the fact that there are people who don't care for their health and well being. I'm saddened by the fact that the only thing I'm learning about in nursing school (regarding medication) is drugs, drugs, drugs. I rarely hear about prevention, and I never hear about alternative medicines. Sure there are side effects and complications with natural remedies, but do they occur as often as with the "synthetic" drugs? (I really don't know. I'm just asking. Actually, hormone therapy for women is a great place for me to go and defend myself. I just visited a website after reading this man's book. If interested, go to uzzireissmd.com.) And why go in and create something and alter it in so many different ways then give it to people before looking at the natural remedy and testing it? God made man from dirt..a totally organic, natural substance. We didn't come synthesized in a lab, so why not take things that are in harmony with nature? (My little thought for the day.)

Also, yes, as mentioned there are people who want a simple fix and who do not care and who rely solely on the "infallible" science...but is it my duty to condone such behavior by catering to that mindset and way of living? That contradicts what I believe.

aquarius11, thank you as well for your comments. I feel that empty void now, and I'm not even working as a nurse yet. I want to look into alternative medicine and other forms of nursing along those lines, and that's why I posted this thread originally. I wanted (and still want) to learn other options for me. I want something that will get me out of a hospital. I want something that will keep me from administering drugs. What do I do within the healthcare realm? I guess that's why I'm so discourage in nursing school. I see no light at the end of the tunnel for me. I mean, I know it's there, I just haven't heard or seen enough. I've heard that in the Los Angeles area of California, people are very interested in alternative health. I would love to open up my own place there...but what? What can I offer a community that would fit into the area I want to study? I suppose that with a few more years under my belt, I will be better equipped to answer such questions. Well, I'm done for now. I began and ended this with a heavy heart. Thank you for the insight of those who commented, and thank you to those who read this but didn't respond. Maybe this will get you thinking and ready to post a response.

Let me just add one more thing. I think the Kevin Trudeau books are amazing and mind blowing. I'll leave it at that for now. God bless.

Agnus · Sep 20, 2006

You might be a good candidate for hospice nursing. It can be a very rewarding field. But be aware it is not perfect either, and ultimately it too is $$ driven. I did some hospice perdiem for about 6 months until I was laid off.

i share your frustration that is why after 8 years at the the hospital bedside I am looking to do something else.

I am going to take a legal nurse consulting course as well as the holistic program that I am already enrolled it. I may not do more than use it to do some professional or volunteer speaking. I consider it a much too valuable knowledge to keep to my self.

I am also considering opening a retail business totally unrelated to nusing. Selling FAIR TRADE merchandise. I feel the concept matches the philosophy that you and I seem to share one of caring and getting at the source of problems effeciting the human condition.

In many practice setting it is near imposible to practice nursing as a caring profession any more. It can be done in some places but not where I am at this time. Basically I perform tasks, and many essential tasks do not get done.

Oh oh, this is bad you are a student and I am ranting to you about my burn out. But if you are feeling frustrated over these things already my concern for you increases.

Keep looking. Keep that creative mind going. Keep learning. Knowledge is never wasted. And you will find your path.

CaliAlli · Sep 23, 2006

Agnus, thank you. Thank you for your words of encouragement. They really mean something to me. On this dreary day here in Tennessee, I actually found the sunshine through your post. I will keep my mind going. I know that of which I'm capable, and I know that myself is the only thing that could hold me back. I have determination, motivation, creativity, and compassion bigger than this world, and I want to do great things. If God blesses me with many, many years on this Earth, I know that through Him, I can and will accomplish whatever I set my mind to doing. I have so much desire to make a difference, and even though I haven't discovered exactly what the light at the end of the tunnel holds for me, I know all the answers won't fall in my lap at once. I'm going to use my time in nursing school as a tool and as a learning experience to allow bits and pieces of the puzzle to come together. I must be patient but also active.

While I'm typing, I have a question...I was accepted into the honors program, so that means I have to conduct research for the rest of my time here in college (4 semesters). I get to choose what I want to research, and I'm leaning towards the treatment of cancer by natural means. What do you think about that?

Agnus · Sep 24, 2006

Cngratulations. I think that is a wonderful choice of research projects. May I make a suggestion? Cancer is a VERY very broad area. Natural treatment of cancer is just as broad. Every type of cancer is different and responds differently. You might want to focus on one type of cancer.

Natural treatments abound in cancer treatment and you will find many many effective non invasive natural therapies that work.

Again you might do better to focus a little. Maybe treatments that are focused on cure.

Or treatments that are palaitive.

Or the science behind mind body connection.

or a specific mind body aproach.

Or one or two specific treatments.

Cures offered out side the US.

There are a gazillion directions you can go here. So you might find it helpful to map out where you want to go and what path you will follow to get there.