Seriously Needed Career Advice!

[RachieM]

Hello! I'm currently a first year nursing student and I'm really interested in working at a alternative healthcare center or clinic that has to do with Alternative Medicine. I need some career advice. What I would like to know is if it is worth it to get a 4 year degree in nursing if ultimately I will be working in the alternative medicine field and what steps should I take regarding education?

sincerely, Rachel

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

It's very wise to seek information early in the game rather than investing time, money & effort only to discover that you are not in alignment with your goals after all.

There is a huge underlying problem (in the US at least) with 'alternative' health care..... lack of funding & reimbursement. Our health care system is still based on 'illness care' rather than preventative measures. It is certainly not supportive of services that are not in line with the Western medical model. Alternative healthcare providers rely on private pay - AKA, no insurance reimbursement. Unless a practitioner is lucky enough to attract relatively well-off clients, her/his income will be very limited. BTW, in my city, there are many 'hybrid' medical practices - with licensed physicians who also provide alternative therapies such as MD/Acupuncturists.

A nursing education is excellent preparation for work in any type of health care setting, because our education prepares generalists who understand A&P as well as acute and chronic physical and mental illness. However, it does not include sufficient training or education to provide alternative therapy, so you would have to 'top off' your nursing degree with those additional requirements.