Is holistic nursing different from an RN?

amberdawns1 · Dec 11, 2007

Holistic nursing is a way of nursing at all levels; its unifies all aspects of the human realm. It is used in everyday nursing!..or should be!

softstorms · Jul 18, 2008

To be a nurse, you pass state boards! LPN or RN. That makes you a nurse in the eyes of the state. To become holistic? That is a frame of mind. Holistic does not require state confirmation. I know many home heath care givers that have no training, that give holistic care. When I was in nurses training, they said "holistic" was treating the pt. and the family. It is so much more now. It may be treating without medications, it may be treating with more medications. It may be treating outside the bounds of our teachings. I think holistic is more about treating the pt. within thier own ideas, than our own.

HolisticNP · Aug 2, 2008

I agree with the other responses. Being a holistic nurse is about how you believe and act, and it isn't reserved for your work life. It is about being truly present, and acknowledging that we are body, mind AND spirit. You can always learn specific modalities such as healing touch, imagery, aromatherapy... but you can be a holistic nurse without this. The actual wording can be a bit confusing-holistic nurse, holistic practitioner and so on. I consider myself a holistic nurse practitioner and I happen to be certified in specific modalities such as imagery. You can always learn more, but your basic way of being and 'how' you deliver care is what makes you a holistic nurse. There are whole books, courses and more written about this topic. Some nursing programs are more holistically based than others. If you can be choosy, shop carefully for just the right program that supports your own philosophy. Best wishes!

Guest27531 · Oct 26, 2008

I am a pre-nursing student, and I have a question about holistic nursing. I was wondering if an RN lisence is required before you can go on to become a holistic nurse, which I'm assuming requires some sort of certification. Or, is holistic nursing different from an RN? If Nursing school teaches mostly western based medicine, then what use is it to a holistic nurse? I mean I'll gladly go to nursing school if it means I can become a holistic nurse afterwards, but I just wondered how that worked.
I've been thinking about going into to nursing, but started to worry because alot of the things I believe I know differ from that of traditional western medicine. If anyone has any answers I'd really appreciate it!!

To become a Certified Holistic Nurse you start with traditional nursing school. There are a couple of schools that incorporate Holistic nursing principles within the program but for most nurses the holistic nurse training will come after nursing school.

dlh310 · Jul 24, 2009

Holistic nursing as the others have explained is a way of nursing but to answer your question more directly: after you finish your bachelors in nursing you can go back to school and get your masters in Holistic nursing so you can become a Holistic Nurse Practitioner and specialise in holistic care much like other specialities such as pediactrics and women's health. I go to NYU and they have a Holistic Nursing masters program so you can become a nurse practitioner and work in hospitals, clinics etc. I am sure there are several other NY schools that offer the major as well but it is only after you have completed your general nursing bachelors degree and have passed the NCLEX and have at least a year general nursing experience.

just_jess · Sep 2, 2009

One can obtain many different credentials to practice "holistic" medicine without becoming an RN. I have looked into credentials in naturopathy, homeopathy, irridology, kinesiology, accupunture, herbology, ayurveda, etc. They all cost quite a bit and require that patients pay out of pocket for services. It is not always possible to become licenced in these areas, (allowing you to practice independently and become board certified). The practices which are licenceable (ND and LaC) are only so in a few states.

I agree with the other contributors that holism is the recognition of a patient's mental and spiritual status as an essential component in the healing process. Though these factors have been scientifically validated, they are not typically understood well by most instutions of western medicine.

Almost any holistic type of credential is based upon the theory that all things are uniquely designed to accept and reject specific frequencies. The main differnce between western medicine and traditional medicine is that traditional medicine is based upon the notion that the frequency causes materilization whereas western medicine believes that matter causes frequency to manifest.

Western credentials are more likely to be accecped unilaterally and also to provide you with a lucrative return on your educational investiment. However, if you are already on a level of consiousness where you understand how frequencies affect the healing process. You will not be taught how to identify the imbalances in the individual constitution which lead to traditional therapies through an RN degree. That will require additional training and money.

I am sorry for the lenghty responce. I hope that you found this helpful