nursing and aromatherapy

[kittylouise]

Hi. I originally posted this message on the holistic nursing board, but that forum seems to be pretty inactive so thought i would try here:

Nursing and Aromatherapy - Is there anybody out there who combines the two? I am almost fully qualified as a Holistic Aromatherapist and am hoping to start a Post Graduate Diploma in Adult Nursing later in the year. I eventually hope to use my skills as an aromatherapist as a nurse in a more clinical setting and was wondering if anyone is doing this successfully?

Thanks

Kitty (London, UK)

:)

[semstr]

Here you can read all about Snoezelen.

The real room is awsome! I fell asleep after 10 minutes or so and the disabled, even the severly spastic ones, relaxed, so we could flex their legs, for the first time in years!

sorry, still too stupid for this, try google, they have a lot on Snoezelen.

sorry!

[Agnus]

you lost me on the Snoezelen. Was there suposed to be a link or something? Can you just give a very brief definition or summary of what this is. Example: is it a drug

[semstr]

No, Snoezelen is a kind of therapy.

you need an extra room, with these kind of christmas lights in it, plus the "disco-lights" in different colours and forms.

The rest of the room is white, walls, cushions everywhere etc.

Soft, meditating music is played in the background and the therapist, has to look at the patient very intensive to see how he reacts to certain colours, patterns of light etc.

Then they have a kind of pilar with coloured balls in it, they are in a fluid that changes colours too. (you know those lamps, back in the seventies?)

As you can see, this Snoezelen is not for all patients! Epileptic patients or those with certain brain-damages, won't do good with all the light changing.

PS: I am very proud to say, this Snoezelen was founded in the Netherlands! And here in middle-Europe a pretty common therapy in disabled care.

[Ms.Hobbes]

I think combining aromotherapy and nursing can be quite beneficial as long as the patient and the facility you work in are in agreement. I teach childbirth classes and encourage my couples to look into aromotherapy as an option to help them deal with their labor. Lavendar has a wonderful calming affect. Combining aromotherapy with medical interventions can actually lead to a more positive outcome for all involved:)

[kcrnsue]

I do believe that aromatherapy can be helpful, but how long does the scent last, and who else may be affected. I have allergies, and have had to deal with other nurses and lotion or perfume. Doctors with cologne, and patients with whatever. I know that I am probably the minority, and if it helps the patient, great, but you need to consider all who might be involved.