Should I try and become a Nurse in a Naturopathic Clinic or a Naturopathic Doctor?

Specialties Holistic Nursing Q/A

I am a 21 year old female and have been taking my prerequisites for Nursing. I felt very passionate about my choice, I do really enjoy caring for people and helping people. However, as I got further into my studies, talked to various RNs, and had researched the career for awhile, I realized how horrible our health care system really is in the U.S. I think that we rely too heavily on drugs and intoxicants, therefore I don't want to have to inject people with a bunch of drugs, like nurses have to do sometimes.

My mother in law who is an RN told me that at her hospital 14 patients died in one month due to medical errors(being given the wrong drugs).Then she told me that they actually had someone who's job it was to "erase" the medical error so that it doesn't make the hospital look bad and they never told the patients family. I was horrified. I don't want any part of that.

I believe that an organic diet, exercise, herbal TEAS, meditation, acupuncture, acupressure, Craniospinal therapy, etc. are the best ways of treating and preventing illness. So I have decided that I either want to be a Nurse(and later Nurse Practitioner) who works in a Naturopathic Clinic, or become a doctor who uses natural and alternative . My question is, to become a Naturopathic doctor do you HAVE to go to a special Naturopathic medical school or could you go to medical school and then just start your own Naturopathic practice?

Also, which option sounds best? I know that I would have to have a Bachelor's degree before I could go to med school anyway, so should I just continue on with Nursing and try to get into a Naturopathic Clinic?

Thanks

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Anyone wanting information on how to complete a degree that is focused in Holistic Nursing including the APHN (Advanced Practice Holistic Nurse) or if you are already an APRN and want to practice as and APHN follow up with the AHNCC.org to find the schools that are endorsed in Holistic Nursing and or the certification exams for all different categories as a holistic nurse or as a Nurse Coach. All are categories are title protected. Nurse Coaches can only call themselves NC if they are certified as such--same thing as we are already aware of as RNs or APRNs. All of them are title protected.

Just hilarious. Unless your spouse is a billionaire, and then none of it matters, it's just a silly hobby.

OK, end of very brief rant.

Specializes in Hospice,LTC,Pacu,Regulatory,Operating room.

Holsitic medicine can be rewarding but you will not make alot of money. Most Nurses make more money than most Naturopathic physicians. Now you could also go to NP school and work in a clinic that specializes in integrative medicine as well.

Are we talking about medicine or nursing...two different professions? ...and there is lies many of the problems. The other part of the problem is not knowing the differences between holistic nursing practice and integrative nursing practice. There's no reason for a holistic nurse to make less money than one who is not specialized in Holistic Nursing not even if the person practices integrative modalities. I certainly wouldn't work for less money when I have more education.

If discussing holistic medicine there's no reason that a holistic physician would be paid any differently than an allopathic physician. I pay just as much to my holistic docs as I do to an allopathic doctor. I prefer a Holistic MD because I'm treated better.

Naturopathic physicians are recognized in17 states. Nurses are obviously recognized in every state and yes a naturopathic physician will not make as much as an APRN. I haven't done the research to support my theory on the difference in salaries between an ND and an APRN so I will not write it because that is way too much speculation on my part.

Specializes in Hospice,LTC,Pacu,Regulatory,Operating room.
On 5/16/2019 at 11:58 PM, the4ofus said:

Are we talking about medicine or nursing...two different professions? ...and there is lies many of the problems. The other part of the problem is not knowing the differences between holistic nursing practice and integrative nursing practice. There's no reason for a holistic nurse to make less money than one who is not specialized in Holistic Nursing not even if the person practices integrative modalities. I certainly wouldn't work for less money when I have more education.

If discussing holistic medicine there's no reason that a holistic physician would be paid any differently than an allopathic physician. I pay just as much to my holistic docs as I do to an allopathic doctor. I prefer a Holistic MD because I'm treated better.

Naturopathic physicians are recognized in17 states. Nurses are obviously recognized in every state and yes a naturopathic physician will not make as much as an APRN. I haven't done the research to support my theory on the difference in salaries between an ND and an APRN so I will not write it because that is way too much speculation on my part.

Its 22 states and I went to school and became a naturopath physician and the money is not comparable to allopathic physicians, which is no different then how chiropractic is much lower than its Doctor of Osteopathic counterparts.But my suggestion is to get with a complementary alternative practice or a multi skilled practice. I remember thats what got me into naturopathy in the first place. I worked in a practice that had a mixture of providers. acupunturist, allopathic physicians,homeopathic physicians and naturopaths. Hmmmm the cancer center of america hires nurses and they also have naturopathic physicians as well. That might be one idea.

Specializes in ER.

Both are good options, I am an RN and also an ND. I love practicing as an ND but you have to create your own opportunities and approach practices, as few jobs are listed. As an RN, there are lots of opportunities for nutritional IV nurses in states like CA, OR, WA, AZ. ND school is 4 years.

Specializes in ER.
On ‎2‎/‎1‎/‎2012 at 4:13 AM, usalsfyre said:

Rude and insensitive, but there is absoloutely ZERO good evidence that naturopathy works. If we were talking about someone peddling an allopathic treatment regimen with zero evidence as a "cure" we'd call them a quack. Yet for some reason when we talk about CAM we're supposed to be "sensitive" about stuff that doesn't work.

There are literally millions of studies showing the efficacy of naturopathic, herbal, nutritional medicine. Obviously you have never taken the time to actually look at the research. Pure laziness.

Specializes in ER.
On ‎2‎/‎26‎/‎2016 at 12:06 AM, Healthnutiam said:

@dinahh77, I agree that taking a fly by the seat of your pants to decisions about your health is really not the best way to go. One should always do research into what the choices are.

I am not sure if what I said came across as an insult to you, or those who do not believe in the medicinal benefits of therapies other than what is standard in the western culture, but my intention is not to offend. I am simply expressing my own experience with more natural approaches to healing or "fixing" health issues, and my frustration with the lack of research in this area.

Many drugs have been discovered by someone doing their own experiments.The reason we have many western forms of medicine available to us now is because someone had an open mind in regards to the possible benefits of various substances, materials, etc., and decided to explore that. So, yes, it is important to have an open mind, but at the same time, we do want to be safe.

My main point with experimenting was not to go try out some unknown and unheard of idea to address a health issue, but to keep an open mind when it comes to trying things that many others have tested and found to be helpful.

There has been some research conducted on many herbs and plant based remedies, some you can find here-- https://nccih.nih.gov/health/herbsataglance.htm

However, you also have to be careful of who is funding the research, and how the research was conducted. Sometimes people will take advantage of those searching for natural remedies, and sell them something that is no different than drinking a glass of water. At the same time, drug companies would like you to believe that only their product works, so they pay for research to "prove" it. Sometimes, the testing that takes place isn't that great, especially for long term consequences.

Different things will work for different people, somethings work for a little while, and some make no difference at all. There are issues with both sides of the fence. All "drugs" have the potential to harm. People have been harmed by both the non-FDA regulated drugs, and the drugs that are "FDA approved". It is not fair to say that only western medicine works, and it is not fair to say that only one of the other various forms of medicine works. That is the point, it all needs to come together.


There are millions of studies on herbal medicine. Actually, unlike pharmaceutical medicine, they are usually a lot less biased and not funded by the companies producing the medicines. Tons of studies in US but even more from Germany where naturopathic medicine is mainstream. India, China, all the European countries have tons of studies. Almost all drugs come from plants directly or indirectly. Aspirin from willow bark, digoxin from digitalis etc. What drug companies do today is find a chemical in a plant that works and then the tweek the molecule so they can patent it. Metformin is an example of this, it is a chemical from the Goat's Rue plant, tweeked to make a patentable drug and it is less effective than the natural chemical.

Specializes in ER.
usalsfyre said:

Want to hit me with the literature I've missed? Cause I'm pretty sure the CAM folks would be crowing about something showing even minimal benefit.

There is so much evidence it is ridiculous. Do some research. There are many journals dedicated to focus on complimentary, naturopathic, botanical medicine, nutrition etc. 

NenaRK said:

I am a 21 year old female and have been taking my prerequisites for Nursing. I felt very passionate about my choice, I do really enjoy caring for people and helping people. However, as I got further into my studies, talked to various RNs, and had researched the career for awhile, I realized how horrible our health care system really is in the U.S. I think that we rely too heavily on drugs and intoxicants, therefore I don't want to have to inject people with a bunch of drugs, . My question is, to become a Naturopathic doctor do you HAVE to go to a special Naturopathic medical school or could you go to medical school and then just start your own Naturopathic practice?

Also, which option sounds best? I know that I would have to have a Bachelor's degree before I could go to med school anyway, so should I just continue on with Nursing and try to get into a Naturopathic Clinic?

Thanks

?

You will need to understand where you want to live/practice. For instance, New York does not recognize Naturopathic Doctors and will not license them. So - no NDs in New York State. So be careful with that. I also have a friend who graduated from naturopathic physicians school in Arizona (the same one mentioned in this thread)… four years ago, and she still cannot find work. Or even set up her own practice because of the cost.

I feel very much as you do that what we have become is a healthcare conveyor belt that pushes pills to fix all ills. However, the reality is.- Americans have been conditioned to that end. Pharmaceutical ads are found on television and repeatedly so here. That is illegal in the EU and many other countries. Often people simply do not want to take the responsibility for their own healthcare or are simply afraid to do something, other than what a medical doctor suggests.  I can understand that. It's a big responsibility! So you may not find the widespread acceptance that you would wish but you will find people who are always willing to listen. 
You have to investigate the scope of practice for NDs in whatever area or state you choose to settle in to ensure that you stay strictly within scope. Naturopathy is considered "quackery" by many - and they love to go after targets that they think will make it look like they're protecting patient health... even when that's a dubious claim.

Specializes in ER.

Some good comments here except for the one calling naturopathy quackery. Just ignore those ignorant people. I'm an Naturopathc Dr and an RN. Each medicine has it's place but natural medicine is what will keep you heslthy and out of the hospital. ND field is growing and it is very rewarding clinically but challenging on the political and financial fronts. 

To be clear, I did NOT call naturopathy "quackery". I said "Naturopathy is considered "quackery" by many..". That is absolutely true. It is unfortunate, but true. I am a Clinical Herbalist - and support natural solutions to many contemporary health problems. There are states however, where naturopathy is not a profession that is licensed or that you can advertise as a service. New York is one of them.

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