Holistic RN or chiropractic?

indigo girl · Apr 8, 2006

Check out the American College of Advanced Medicine (ACAM). I don't know where they are on the web, but they have lots of docs who practice holistically.

reformednurse · Apr 21, 2006

I totally agree- the article is bogus and probably written by an MD. I've been a nurse massage therapist for 10 years, and I can tell you chiropractic works when the chiropractor knows what they're doing.

Abigail Paige · Jun 5, 2006

Re: Holistic RN or Chiropractic?

I am an LPN now, but was a chiropractic assistant for 10 years. I want to encourage you that you absolutely can make a fine living in chiropractic. As in any medical profession there are good and bad doctors. Unfortunately bad chiropractors get more attention because traditional medicine simply cannot admit that this form of healthcare does benefit someone's health. I did not know there was anything such as holistic nursing, and I will be looking in the Augusta area for any such training I can get to move in that direction. Thanks for asking the question and good luck with either career you choose. I think you will find satifaction with either since the goal of both is to help others be healthier.

Agnus · Aug 9, 2006

I am a premed student in portland oregon. i got accepted into chiropractic school but was warned that it might be difficult to make a living as a chiropractor. I have a BA but i am now working on pre-reqs to get an RN degree. i can go to chiropractic school this fall if i decide to do it because i was already accepted.
Do holistic nurses
-work in hospitals or private clinics?
-are there a lot of them, are they paid well, is it a recognized profession?
I would like to work and provide care using natural healing modalities that might include massage, chiropractic, naturopathic, and nutrition counselling. In other words, i want to help people who are sick, help them to detox and be healthy, and get paid to do this, and be happy and successful, and work with a group of doctors or caring people to help support the sick and encourage them to get well. is that what holistic nursing is? or should i go for chiropractic.
Thanks!
A Bell

Follow your heart. Go to Chiropractic school. Who ever told you that you might have a problem making an income has thier own agenda.

Let me give you an example. When I was enrolling in high school a guidance counselor told me that I could never ever be accepted into any nursing school. Now here was his logic as he explained it. His daughter was turned down from nursing school. AND she according to him was the cream of the crop. Therefore if she could not get in, I never could.

I know a number of chiropractors perosnally and they make a very nice living. They choose thier own hours and usually work no more than a 4 day work week.

This person who is advising you probably has a very different agenda than my guidance counselor but he definately has one.

If you follow the $$$ in choosing your career you will be miserable. Always follow your passion. If you do that you will figure out how to put a roof over your family's head and still love life. If you follow the $$$ instead of your passion you will die and early death or wish you do.

Chiropractic is a highly paid and respected profession. If that is what you want go for it. There will always be naysayers no matter what path you choose. Do not let others make that decision for you. You are an adult only you can choose the right path. Following such cocamamy advice will put you precisely where you don't want to be.

drhealyourself · Sep 8, 2007

I'm happy to read this thread.

I have a BA in Biology and was originally pre-med....but I ended up going to nursing school.

I got halfway through the RN program and moved to another state, intending to complete my RN at Excelsior College.

Unfortunately, I was not accepted because they say I was short one clinical hour. I wasn't sure what to do next and so I got any job to pay the bills. But in my heart I still love health care.

I enjoyed aspects of nursing school, but only when working with psych patients and on the maternity floor. I find that I don't enjoy typical nursing care, and I have a strong interest in natural healing methods.

Now I have an opportunity to go to Chiropractic school and have been trying to decide if that is the best option for me. I like that it incorporates natural healing methods while running my own business. But I don't think it incorporates psych or obstetrics in any way, though I may need to do more research on that.

I will say that back in April 2000 I was in a car accident where I got a whiplash injury when my head hit the window. Going to a chiropractor saved me from so much pain. I remember one time going into the office barely being able to move my head, and getting immediate relief from an adjustment...I felt so much better, I wanted to hug her! Chiropractic definitely works.

One thing I have learned is that there is always at least one person in the world that has something negative to say about any topic one can think of....and that we have to learn to make our own decisions in life.

amzyRN · Sep 11, 2007

Chiropractic health care can be an amazing augment to western therapies. I think it is probably an intensive program too. I am also interested in holistic nursing. I have a b.a. degree in cell biology and will be doing an accelerated second degree bsn. I eventually want to get a masters in nursing to practice as a holistic NP or some variant of. I considered naturopathic medicine, but it was too expensive and too much of an investment of time with an unknown outcome. My impression is that if one has a background or training in western medicine will be more highly sought than one without it. So I think that the western training is valuable just to know it.

I think you should follow your interest though and seek what inspires you.

J

Emmjay · Nov 11, 2007

To me it sounds like that nursing is not the thing for you. I have been an RN for a little over a year, and worked before as a physical therapist assistant. PT was much closer to holistic than nursing is, that's for sure. You'll be dolling out meds....not in every instance, but most.....plus you'll be doing a thousand other things, which might include some soul nurturing for the patients, but there is seriously not much time for that.

RNDave · Nov 16, 2007

I practiced chiropractic for a number of years. It is a profession requiring business sense and entrepreneurship. Clinical skills are important, but you won't get to be much of a clinician if the business is not the main focus. The short version of my story is that I finally came to grips with the fact that I'm no business-man and went into nursing. I don't regret my decision to go back to school.

Some things to know:

1. Chiropractic school is very expensive. Ask yourself "Why are the vast majority of chiropractic schools private institutions and not associated with traditional universities?"

2. Chiropractors generally don't work together well or refer to each other since there are no distinct specialties. You're pretty much on your own as compared to the network of support/interaction in medicine.

3. Many musculoskeletal conditions and some neurological problems can respond well to chiropractic care. Whether a spinal adjustment can help someone with metabolic problems, infections, endocrine disorders, etc. requires a leap in logic scientifically. But if your chiropractic school is like mine was, you'll be inundated with anecdotal evidence that chiropractic is good for most if not all health problems.

Just my 2 cents. Anyone considering chiropractic, or any profession for that matter, should interview a number of people working in that field. I went into chiropractic based on idealistic principles. Idealism is ok but should be tempered with reality.

Good luck to all!

Dave

CANurse2B · Feb 28, 2008

I want to ditto what RNDave said, I am also a Chiroractor and am currently hoping for acceptance in RN program in August 2008. His decription of Chiropractic is valid. In my case, I was never happy with the business aspect of running a practice. Being a businessman is unfortunately a large part of continued success. Much of your time is spent marketing and trying to reach out to those that need your services. There is not a great referral system with most Medical practicioners and working with insurance companies and managed care can complicate the issues further. Check into the options before you commit to the financial burdens associated with the training and starting and maintaining a practice.

chiromed0 · Mar 19, 2008

:banghead:

I know this is an old post but I'm adding my .02 worth in case any well meaning RN's are thinking the grass is greener (money green) on the other side.

First, your nursing education will help you ZERO as a D.C. You are MUCH, MUCH better off advancing in your current field. As a D.C. you can make a larger income as a business owner, however, think about what I just said...a business owner....you can make money as a business owner selling candles; no malpractice, no headaches, no MD/DC controversy, no regrets (not big ones anyway). Making good income as a D.C. is the EXCEPTION, not the norm. Good money is $85-95K gross off of a clinic that's making $250K or so.

Chiro school will run you about $100K - $140K depending on your needs. That is not fiscally sound: getting in debt $100+K to make $85K gross. It's stupid.

On a personal note many, many, many D.C.'s are quietly leaving the field to pursue other careers such as (you guessed it) NURSING. Me included. Why? Many reasons but the average D.C. associate makes about $42K a year w/o ANY benefits. The profession (basically the schools) sells itself as complimentary medicine...nothing is further from the truth. It is alternative medicine along with naturopathy, acupuncture, etc. Except the medical profession tolerates the latter two more than chiropractic. Don't believe me? Read the net sources...you'll see.

Bottom line is you can be an RN in two years minimum and make $70K+ in many areas. With a little work you can make over $100K with advanced practice and have a career that people will pay to keep you. In chiro...none of this is true. The worst feeling is knowing in an emergency as a D.C. you are utterly useless. True, you may know enough anatomy, biology, physics, etc. to UNDERSTAND what's going on but your training, scope of practice and practical knowledge will not allow you to do very much, in fact, precious little. Think about it and you will see for yourself.

THINK...THINK...THINK...DON'T PIPE 'DREAM'. :nono:

mrso16 · Jul 2, 2008

It sounds like you want to be a licensed naturopathic physician. In many states it is illegal to practice"holistic medicine", natural medicine or anything remotely sounding like naturopathic medicine without a license to practice it. which is an ND (or NMD in Arizona). It is practicing medicine without a license. See the wbsite for the American Association of Naturopathic doctors for accredited colleges and universities. They are 4 year programs with internship and you don't work under anyone. You are considered a primary care physician.

HolisticNP · Aug 2, 2008

The term holistic practitioner really describes a way of being and viewing others: body, mind and spirit. A holistic nurse or chiropractor (and others) can have a holistic practice if they care for their 'patients' as whole beings. You can also learn other modalities and incorporate those into your practice. I know of chiropractors who are very holistic just by their way of being while others also practice Reiki, imagery, breathing, nutritional counseling, or have massage therapists in their office...

Should you be a nurse or chiropractor? Nursing offers many paths and specialties. You can be an employee or be self employed. You can continue for advanced degrees such as nurse practitioner. If you have a family, you'll want to see what working hours work best for you. Nurses sometime are expected to work week-ends and holidays.

Most of all, though, you've got to consider the basic philosophy of health. Chiropractors have certain beliefs about health (the power is in the proper alignment of the spine) that may be very different than nurses. Maybe not. Where are your beliefs? If you choose a career based on your own beliefs, you'll find your way. I've found that if I follow my heart, wonderful opportunities land in my lap.

Best wishes!