HolisticNP

I've done my share of sewing, jewelry making and other crafty things. I find it good for my spirit. I learned to sew in high school, but I know that in many areas there are great community classes through recreation centers, local colleges and even park districts. This is a great place to start, because if you are creative, you might just need some beginning basics to get you going. I kind of need some demonstration first, and then I can take off the training wheels. The how to books and website out there are helpful, also. Pattern companies have basic patterns and directions. Your local library or fabric store will have a nice selection of books. My biggest problem is focus! There are so many fun things out there to make. Sorry, but I don't know much about the emobroidery machines. I thought about it myself years ago. One good idea with regard to finding your niche are golf and tennis clubs, country clubs... They often have events and like to have shirts, towels and so on made up. I started making rosaries and prayerbeads a year ago for family & friends when my son was in Iraq and I couldn't sleep. Now, I'm busy making them for people, so you never know what wonderful opportunities will land in your lap. Good luck! I would to hear how you do.

I was an RN for about 21 years. I was barely 21 when I first became an RN, and slowly worked my way through school. I was able to get all kinds of different experience which actually helped me to make the decision about going on for NP. The time was important to me, but like others have said, it is very individual. I've known some with very little RN experience before becoming NP who are great and feel quite comfortable in their role. I suppose the only one who will know that you are ready (both professionally and personally) will be you. Congrats on taking the last lap toward your BSN. I remember how great it felt to be out of school, and it took me a little bit of time to jump back on the treadmill.

I work 12 hours-0745-0815pm. I get 1/2 hour for lunch and (2 )15 minute breaks. I don't find this particularly healthy for me, but I've learned to work around it. I eat breakfast at home. I bring a sandwich made with double fiber bread, turkey or chicken and broccoli sprouts (high antioxidants). I bring cherry tomatoes because I'll buy chips otherwise.:nuke: I snack on health bars-I like the Kashi bars. I'll also bring a V-8 fusion or some other drink like that to try to get the veggies in. Sometimes I only eat 1/2 my sandwich at lunch because 1/2 hour goes real fast. I'll finish it during my later afternoon break. I drink a lot of water, and although it is not good for me, I drink a Diet Coke a day. I try not to eat when I get home, but I'm usually really hungry. I make some popcorn so I don't raid the fridge. I try to keep it under 1500 calories a day, and I use fitday.com to track my nutrients-fat, fiber, vitamins... I don't always succeed at my goals, but I do better if I'm aware and keep track of it a bit. I really have to think about it because it is so easy to eat junk. Great question! Thanks for asking. I hope to get some tips.

I share 'information' rather than services on my website. You are right-with the technology we have, I'm sure many nurses have their own websites that work for their professional needs. You are also right to use the word 'serious.' The time, energy and persistance needed to devote to a website is serious. The results are so rewarding, though.

Raw food nutrition specialist is a very interesting niche. Have you thought of a way to make some money teaching what you know about? There are so many health implications associated with nutrition, of course, and being a nurse buys you some well deserved credibility.

Sure! I love to brainstorm with like-minded people. I've tried a variety of things, also-different nursing specialties and LNC. I enjoyed what I did, and I really went for it, but it never felt quite right- until now, anyway. I like to teach and write, so I followed my passion and then went the infopreneur route. I've taken that a step further, too. What is your real passion? That is the real question, I think. It is probably a real good time to think about that now that you're hyped up. What really gets you hyped? What are you thinking about? I know there are some real nurse entrepreneur experts here!

Hi- I market on the web, but I'm more of an infopreneur than IC now. I used the web to market when I did medical legal consulting, but I didn't know about some real important peices. I don't think I used the web like I could have. Anyway, live and learn. In time, I learned about how to presell, use specific keywords and attract the search engines. It isn't difficult, but it takes some time. I factored it into my 'business building' time. If done the right way, it can be very worthwhile. My first site was not the right way. There are some really great and affordable web builder programs out there. A website with plenty of good content can't help but support your business. I think it was time well spent, though.

Hi- I'm new to the forums, so my reply to you is a bit late. Your question is a common one. I wondered the same thing, until I learned what being holistic really means. I've been certified in holistic nursing since 1999, and like many holistic nurses, I have worked in a variety of settings. I'm a family NP now, and even in a busy clinic setting, I deliver holistic care. Holistic nursing is about caring for the 'whole' person-body, mind and spirit. I believe that every nurse and nursing student should first be holistic, and then choose an area of nursing to practice that holistic philosophy. Many nursing theories are built around this. You might learn modalities and other aspects of healing in relation to body-mind and spirit but the basic philosophy is in how you practice. I was a holistic nurse long before I ever heard of 'holistic nursing.' I know I'm in good company. I suspect that if a nurse are attracted to the study of holistic nursing, then they are already a holistic nurse. Best wishes on your journey! I look forward to hearing all about it.

Taking on more responsibility (school) now and anticipating the stress of being a student again-especially clinicals was sure stressful for me. I had been a student for years because I got ADN when I was 20 and just kept plugging along. I finished my NP at the age of 41. It was still stressful, but I loved the experience. I'm happy in my role as a family NP, and no knowledge and experience is ever a waste. Best advice I can give is to take a deep breath (okay-many deep breaths), take good care of yourself and enjoy the ride. Did someone mention rum? :chuckleIf you have a family, you might give them full warning, too. It was a big sacrifice for everyone. I took a cut in pay going from an experienced RN to a new NP, but that situation improved with time.

Congratulations!

You are probably already doing it: lead by example. There were times I'm sure I was viewed as an oddity because of my basic philosophy of nursing and caring. Some of what you do might be very different, and change takes time. The holistic philosophy probably isn't new, though. In time, your good outcomes and way of being will rub off.

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!

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!

You sound like me about 28 years ago and off and on since then. I didn't discover 'holistic nursing' until I was in my master's program about 13 years ago. I knew I had found my home. The real point, however, is that I was always a holistic nurse and holistic practitioner because of my beliefs and actions. You can be a holistic nurse all the time and no matter where you work. If hospital nursing doesn't suit you, I encourage you to look into different positions that might suit you better. One of the wonderful things about a nursing career is that you can re-create yourself whenever you need to make a change. For instance, working with diabetes management might allow you to focus on holistic nutrition. You may not be able to learn more about holistic nursing or 'alternative medicine' in a job, but you can find some great resources on the web, books, DVDs and so on. Then, integrate what you learn into your practice, so long as you are still within your scope of practice. I work in acute care now, and although it is about providing fast treatment, there is always time for patient centered care, being present and patient education (nutrition, stress resistance...). I even developed a website based on many the questions (nutrition, spirituality, prayer, stress, natural remedies...) my patients and other nurses asked through the years and also what I learned through my own experiences. I love to write and I love holistic health. This is just one more way to be a holistic nurse. Best wishes on your journey!