Career Opportunities for Holistic Nurses

Mandolyn · Oct 1, 2006

I think it is good to explore your options in holistic care.

There are many positions for a nurse in holistic care.

Holistic clinics need nurses too. You don't necessarily have to be holistic certified. I actually do not know of a school providing certification in holistic nursing. I live and work in Washington state and the naturopathic school here is Bastyr University, there is also a college of naturopathic medicine in Oregon but again, I do not think they have cerificates in holistic nursing. I could be wrong.

One thing going on that would utilize a nurses skills is the expanding role of naturopaths to use the modality of IV therapy.

If more NDs are going to be doing IV therapy, the more they will require nurses in their practice.

IV therapy would only include natural vitamins and minerals and amino acids so you wouldn't be doing medications. It is a wonderful modality for increasing ones health, especially if there are digestive problems going on.

You could also go into nutrition. You could become a certified holistic nutritionist and be one of the practitioners in a naturopathic clinic. Nutrition is a huge part of holistic health.

Hope this is helpful....good luck to you.

CaliAlli · Oct 2, 2006

Thank you both for your replies! They are very helpful.

Mandolyn, where could I get certification as a holistic nutritionist?

Wolfscout · Oct 2, 2006

http://www.medicaltrainingdirectory.com/medical_school_guide/guideid/1.htm

I am a Holistic Health Practitioner who has a home-based business with my wife.

I am on the other side going towards Nursing now.

I have seen that there is going to be a growing need for multi-skilled people in this field in the years to come. I'm sort of hedging some bets on things; but i feel comfortable in my choices.

There is some need for the public to be more educated in the benefits of Holistic Health as preventative care. I'm also looking into the Nutritionists route, later.

yumaRN1990 · Oct 3, 2006

I have fouond an online class for a Holistic Health Nursing and Wellness Counseling Certificate Program. It is a one year class that gives you a certification, and then you can go on to sit for the exam with the American Holistic Nursing Association, however you don't have to if you choose not to. If anyone is interested check out www.canyoncollege.edu/cc/holistic/sllabus/outline.htm.

Agnus · Oct 4, 2006

I have fouond an online class for a Holistic Health Nursing and Wellness Counseling Certificate Program. It is a one year class that gives you a certification, and then you can go on to sit for the exam with the American Holistic Nursing Association, however you don't have to if you choose not to. If anyone is interested check out www.canyoncollege.edu/cc/holistic/sllabus/outline.htm.

This is the one I have been talking about. As for the AHNA you must meet their requirements for cetification. I suggest you go to their site and look for your self. Like any nursing credential it is NOT just a matter of taking a course.

The certificate offered by Cannon College is not a credential. It is simply a certificate of completion.

If you simply want the knowledge and do not want the certificate of completion or the college credit you can go to Cannon College Site and Down load the list of texts for the course. This is all the instruction they offer there are no classes on line or otherwise to supplement the texts. You get the texts read them and take an on line exam.

Be aware the texts they mention are outdated. You will not even be able to get the editions they mention. I have newer editions. I signed up for the first module and have all the texts but I am not sure that I will sign up for another module since all they offer is this "certificate" and college credit. I do not even know what level college credit. It would seem like upper division but who knows. Based on this and lack of NLN acreditation at thier school other things I am questioning the value of thier program, in terms of being recognized by anyone.

However, I do not consider knowledge wasted and will at least persue studying the texts.

nightingale, RN · Oct 4, 2006

Thanks for the update Agnus. How did you get the updated books? I have used, I think it was, buy dot com for texts. Were you able to get the SPN # through their assigned texts?

yumaRN1990 · Oct 4, 2006

This is the one I have been talking about. As for the AHNA you must meet their requirements for cetification. I suggest you go to their site and look for your self. Like any nursing credential it is NOT just a matter of taking a course.
The certificate offered by Cannon College is not a credential. It is simply a certificate of completion.
If you simply want the knowledge and do not want the certificate of completion or the college credit you can go to Cannon College Site and Down load the list of texts for the course. This is all the instruction they offer there are no classes on line or otherwise to supplement the texts. You get the texts read them and take an on line exam.
Be aware the texts they mention are outdated. You will not even be able to get the editions they mention. I have newer editions. I signed up for the first module and have all the texts but I am not sure that I will sign up for another module since all they offer is this "certificate" and college credit. I do not even know what level college credit. It would seem like upper division but who knows. Based on this and lack of NLN acreditation at thier school other things I am questioning the value of thier program, in terms of being recognized by anyone.
However, I do not consider knowledge wasted and will at least persue studying the texts.

Thanks, Angus, for the information. I have sent my paper work off to AHNA to qualify to sit the exam, I was looking at Canyon College for studies that would help prepare me to take the exam. I understand that to get the certification you still will have to go through the AHNA and successfully take thier exam. I was however, unaware that Canyon States material was outdated. Thank you for that information. Have you taken the AHNA exam? What study materials did you use?

Mandolyn · Oct 4, 2006

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!

Agnus · Oct 4, 2006

Thanks for the update Agnus. How did you get the updated books? I have used, I think it was, buy dot com for texts. Were you able to get the SPN # through their assigned texts?

Went to Amazon and ordered by title and author. I take it you mean ISBN? don't go by that because it differs from one edition to the next.

You do not have to enroll to get the book lists. They list them on the site under the Hollistic Nursing Program.

yumaRN1990 · Oct 5, 2006

Angus thanks, for the information about the books.

guerrierdelion · Dec 2, 2006

Thank you both for your replies! They are very helpful.
Mandolyn, where could I get certification as a holistic nutritionist?

Hello CaliAlli:

I found this information in my internet travels:

Global Institute For Alternative Medicine* |* "The global leader in natural health and wellness education"

I believe it is roughly in line with what you have been describing, specifically Holistic Nurse, Nutritional Consultant, etc. I do not know if it is accredited or not however I was impressed by the Director, Dr. Heather Johnstone, PhD. RN, BC, APN, RYT and her background.

Global Institute For Alternative Medicine* |* "The global leader in natural health and wellness education"

In my humble opinion, Bastyr University is probably one of the leaders in integrating the natural health aspect with the mainstream ideology. They do not have specific RN programs per se but I am sure they would accept any legitimate previous coursework-if that is your heart's desire.

Bastyr University: Academic Programs: Nutrition: Undergraduate Program Information

Best wishes on your RN education~onwards & upwards!

guerrierdelion · Dec 2, 2006

The "gifam.org" courses are approved by the American Holistic Nurses Association~if that has any relevance for you.

Welcome to AHNA: Education

Hello CaliAlli:
I found this information in my internet travels:
Global Institute For Alternative Medicine* |* "The global leader in natural health and wellness education"
I believe it is roughly in line with what you have been describing, specifically Holistic Nurse, Nutritional Consultant, etc. I do not know if it is accredited or not however I was impressed by the Director, Dr. Heather Johnstone, PhD. RN, BC, APN, RYT and her background.