I want to be a nurse but I'm not huge on western medicine?

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

Published

I want to become a nurse but I have always believed in natural healing. Is there an alternative I can do, or is there such thing as a holistic nurse? What can I do? I am just starting out and taking pre-reqs, and I hope I don't get discouraged when I go further into pharmacology and such.

I also live in Kansas and I don't feel like there is much offered here. I used to live in Colorado and plan to move back after school.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Hospice, Palliative Care.

Good day, humboldt13

My wife works for a doctor of naturopathy. This was one of the reports we got today from a new client whom I recommended along with another friend of hers:

"Got my blood work back.... and .. wait for it.. it is the BEST I have ever had for YEARS... so stick that in that in your memory bank DOCTORS that became all worked up when I stopped taking my meds and started to take VITIMINS instead.. Month FOUR .. "

NOTE: I believe she means natural supplements vs. vitamins.

I'm not sure if there is a holistic nurse per say; but, it is my hope that as it fits a given situation within the policies and practices of license and facility where I'm working, I would be able to share experiences where meds may either be supplemented or replaced with more natural methods.

We do have interesting conversations from time to time at our house as I do believe there's a time and place for medicine, but I also believe there's a time and place for natural methods.

Thank you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics, High-Risk L&D, Antepartum, L.

There are nurses who work in holistic settings. There is also a verification you can do after you have your RN. Here's the thing....you are going to have to do good old fashioned nursing school of western medicine first.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology.

It won't be as frustrating as you think, especially as you start to learn about pathophysiology and why some drugs are used to treat certain conditions in terms of their effects on the cellular level. In other words, it all started out as plants so there's nothing really to fear. I am with you, however, on how difficult it is with some people, especially those engaging in polypharmacy without really realizing the consequences. You will learn a lot about CAM therapy -- Complementary Alternative Medicine. This is where holistic nursing comes in. You will probably only touch on it in the introductory level but there are so many things you can do in this arena if it is something you are truly passionate about.

I am a practical hippie and I find it empowering to learn where people really shouldn't be taking medicine v. where people really, really need the Western meds and treatments. This knowledge base will help you advocate for your patients and you will be more than ready to think twice when administering medications. You will want to be very keen on your pharmacology and pathophysiology. This will help you recognize areas you can advocate for CAM therapies and hopefully do your patients a lot of good. That is my focus, actually. I believe people are too quick to take pills and meds for things that a little tough love and a lot of education can help them overcome. Because, at the end of the day, though the meds will help with the things they very likely caused themselves to be afflicted with, there are side effects that remain that are really not much in their best interest either.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

If you want to be a nurse and interested in the holistic side, I'd say go for your RN and then find a way to certify in Holistic nursing. Keep an open mind throughout your education :) Some people prefer western medicine, some prefer holistic medicine, but there is always a place in the world for both of them.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Hospice, Palliative Care.

Good day,

"it all started out as plants so there's nothing really to fear"

Until you get into all the side effects because of broad spectrum vs. being very narrow... and even then...

Thank you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU/ Surgery/ Nursing Education.

I think it would be wonderful for you to learn "western medicine". You will get the chance to learn both in nursing school, because much of nursing is about interventions that we can do to treat or solve problems without medication orders. There is a lot of "nursing" in the field of nursing, if you understand what I mean. Massage, focused meditation, heat, cold, etc, etc..... I use much of this along with typical medicine.

Like others have said, there is a time and place for everything.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thank you all for your responses. It makes me feel incredibly better. I will indeed keep an open mind.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiac Stepdown, PCU.

Like they said, you will have to go the "western medicine" route... remember, nursing is a science. Think of it as a learning opportunity. You will get to learn what medications do, how they are used, and how they work. Just don't have a closed mind, nor assume going in that "drugs are bad". Pharmacology can benefit you immensely, because you can then look at someone and go "well, you can take this (medication)... or you can do (A) and (B) while taking (this) supplement or eating (certain) foods which will have the same effect.". Or well, you will find a DR to work for who will do that :D, but you will still have the knowledge of it.

Certainly there are a lot of DR's out there that just write a script and hand it off without bothering to attempt more "natural" solutions with a patient. Other DR's will attempt natural healing before they restort to "drugs". But, there are many variables for this... sometimes there is no natural remedy for something. Sometimes a patient is just unwilling to make the change necessary. There aren't thousands if not millions of people on cholesterol and blood pressure medication because their DR didn't tell them to adopt a healthier lifestyle... but because they didn't want to, or maybe weren't given enough information or support on how to. When you're through nursing, and you're looking for a Job, that's the type of person you will be wanting to work for, or the type of place you will want to work in. And when it comes times for interviews, never be afraid to ask them where they stand on the matter!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in L&D, infusion, urology.

Depending on where you go in CO, you may find there are a variety of holistic providers. I'm in CA, in a pretty hippie-dippy town, and we have a great DO who does adjustments and explores alternative therapies with patients. There are a lot of these kinds of providers here. There are a variety of certifications and programs to explore in holistic medicine. I'm going into midwifery, and I want to be able to incorporate holistic therapies as much as I can. I'm planning to pursue a holistic nutrition program, as nutrition can really make a difference with many maladies, assuming the patient is willing to make the changes.

You might like this site, lots of great info for you here!

The American Holistic Nurses Association - the voice of holistic nursing

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment