Where are all of the holistic nurses?

[PaleoNurse]

I would love for this holistic nursing forum to be more active! I am been so immersed in the holistic/integrative world for the last few years that it is odd to me when I read a lot of the posts in the general nursing forum. It reminds me of how grateful I am to have discovered alternative health.

If you are a holistic nurse, what brought you to the field? What does your current practice look like?

I became involved in holistic nursing and functional medicine almost 3 years ago. I was diagnosed with 3 autoimmune diseases and I was really struggling and very ill for a while. Then I discovered food as medicine and the transformation in my health was remarkable. I went back to school for additional certifications in holistic nutrition and herbalism and now I have a practice nutritional therapy and functional medicine practice.

I'd love to connect with other like-minded nurses!

[Steeleworks]

If you have not, get and read the book, Jonathan Livingston Seagull. It best describes, be it metaphorically, the world you will be leaving and the one you will be entering.

One word of advice, become an authority in the care you provide.

I garnered the respect of MD's and even Hematologists early in my holistic career (in the mid to late 90's), even before I knew there was such a thing as holistic, although practicing the art. It only happened because I became an authority on the care I provided. You will need to become more than just an expert.

Even recently, I just spoke to a MD about a client who was not responding to ABX and how increasing sodium intake (the unprocessed kind) and vitamin C (sodium ascorbate) would solve the problem and how switching to natural iodine would solve another problem at a fraction of the cost of the current med. He gave his blessing and changed the treatment. What Doc was doing was not working and so, what did he have to lose other than a patient if it was not possible to get him better. BTW, you might enjoy checking out The NNT for various ABX and drugs. Oh yes, it was a success.

As Jonathan the seagull responded to his banishment....Irresponsibility? My brothers!” he cried. Who is more responsible than a gull who finds and follows a meaning, a higher purpose for life? For a thousand years we have scrabbled after fish heads, but now we have a reason to live — to learn, to discover, to be free! Give me one chance, let me show you what I've found ...” They turned their backs as they banished him.

On leaving his flock, flying farther and higher, he came across others....who greeted him with....

We're from your Flock, Jonathan. We are your brothers.”

The words were strong and calm. We've come to take you

higher, to take you home."

Sonicleese, We are your brothers and sisters. We are going to take you to new frontiers of nursing knowledge, new heights of care. Welcome home.

[NefforamaRN, BSN]

If you have not, get and read the book, Jonathan Livingston Seagull. It best describes, be it metaphorically, the world you will be leaving and the one you will be entering.

One word of advice, become an authority in the care you provide.

I garnered the respect of MD's and even Hematologists early in my holistic career (in the mid to late 90's), even before I knew there was such a thing as holistic, although practicing the art. It only happened because I became an authority on the care I provided. You will need to become more than just an expert.

Even recently, I just spoke to a MD about a client who was not responding to ABX and how increasing sodium intake (the unprocessed kind) and vitamin C (sodium ascorbate) would solve the problem and how switching to natural iodine would solve another problem at a fraction of the cost of the current med. He gave his blessing and changed the treatment. What Doc was doing was not working and so, what did he have to lose other than a patient if it was not possible to get him better. BTW, you might enjoy checking out The NNT for various ABX and drugs. Oh yes, it was a success.

As Jonathan the seagull responded to his banishment....Irresponsibility? My brothers!” he cried. Who is more responsible than a gull who finds and follows a meaning, a higher purpose for life? For a thousand years we have scrabbled after fish heads, but now we have a reason to live — to learn, to discover, to be free! Give me one chance, let me show you what I've found ...” They turned their backs as they banished him.

On leaving his flock, flying farther and higher, he came across others....who greeted him with....

We're from your Flock, Jonathan. We are your brothers.”

The words were strong and calm. We've come to take you

higher, to take you home."

Sonicleese, We are your brothers and sisters. We are going to take you to new frontiers of nursing knowledge, new heights of care. Welcome home.

Thank you for such an encouraging and kind reply! Can you tell me more about how you became an authority in your particular field? In my field (pediatric epilepsy) there is high level of skepticism for families wishing to try complementary modalities (diet, oils, music, etc)..... And it seems it would be hard to even broach them without solid research. We do prescribe two diets that in some cases are curative. But that's about it. I am really excited to embrace this innate and largely untapped spring of nursing : )

[Steeleworks]

Believe it or not, there is probably a treasure trove of research on what you do. Finding it is the challenge. Most will be outside the US. Learn it and become a source of knowledge anyone can go to find information. Then, learn how to incorporate what you know into the current standard of practice.

For instance, a common cardiac drug is a chemical version of a natural element we need to live. Once finding the research, it was easy to go to doctors and say, consider this as an option because it made sense.

Get training where ever and when ever you can.

In the case of Bloodless, I got in on training that was only for doctors in the early years, when it was just getting started. I knew both the standard of care with regard to blood transfusion as well as the limitations. Once knowing the limitations, it was possible to show why bloodless was a better option as it addressed the problems and provided a better solution.

Learn how to become quietly assertive.

When talking to a hemonk regarding a patient with a Hgb of 2.9 and making suggestions, his response was my suggestion would not help. I asked if it would hurt which he said no. Got to love disbelief. To that I suggested an order be made. Once written, I suggested it be stat, since the blood count is not considered compatible with continued living. To everyone's surprise (except me and the 3 docs who asked me to consult on the case), his count came up from 2.9 to 3.9 in 12 hours. While outside the science as to why it works, there was research that showed it was possible, only not with the TX recommended to and ordered by the Hemonk.

Find Champions smarter than you are and connect with them.

In the case of hydration, I also found everyone who was in the pro-natural salt camp. I am aligned with a Chief of Epidemiology at a prestigious East Coast medical school.

Think beyond the basics.

Beyond being an expert, I can postulate the various ways water and salt work as co-factors and co-transporters to numerous supplements and medicines, even though there is no specific research. The problem, how do you create a placebo of water or salt, especially when the salt is taken orally and is taken in the mouth where it is tasted. However, there is research on vitamin C. There is research on sodium bicarb. So, it is not hard to see the benefit of sodium ascorbate.

So, take epilepsy...add the search term 'fluid and electrolytes' without quotes.

There are 136 papers on NCIB (Pub Med) dating back to 1972. Interestingly, there is a possible correlation with strokes. Also, Seizure following oral rehydration of hypernatremia with water. Now add this info to the foods you recommend....some have a little salt and many have various kinds of sugar (hypertonic vs hypotonic and a natural food-based dextrose). There is your connection and the research to show why it works, only not with the various foods you use. It is not a very long stretch to connect the dots and make your case.

Know both sides of the issue for and against use.

I found research showing taking unprocessed salt lowers BP, although not the focus of the study. I also know why the various salt and BP research is flawed and the research that shows low salt intake results in increased cardiac issues (both CDC and JAMA say low salt is bad although they promote low salt intake).

Know why it works and why it does not.

When natural salt fails to lower BP (11 times for us out of over 10,000 clients) , I can with a reasonable amount of certainty say why and what to do to fix it. More importantly, I can teach those I contact to do it right so they will not have a problem and further disrupt our numbers.

Don't be dogmatic.

Once when lecturing, a doc came up and asked me in front of several other docs about outcomes. I said we were experiencing an 80% success rate in the practice. He said, "I can believe that, had you said your numbers were any better, I would not have believed anything you said." (actually, in the thousands of patients I personally case managed, not one died and especially for not having a blood transfusion Hgb 2.9 my lowest managed. Hgb 1.9 lowest in literature last I looked also survived). The Advanced Transfusion Practice / Bloodless modality number however is in the 80% success rate.

Hope this gets you on the path of credibility.

[organichombre, ADN, BSN, MSN, LPN, RN]

It is wonderful to read all these inspiring stories of holism and your positive stories.I have been on the fringe of holistic practice for many years with yoga, visualization and meditation but have always been firmly rooted in traditional ICU until 31/2 years ago when I retired and took a clinical teaching job in an ADN program.Now I find myself wanting to encourage these folks to pursue more holistic paths and use the natural world. About as far as I have gotten is to intro meditation into their experience in order to help with situational awareness in their schooling and future practice. Thank you

[Providence60, MSN, PhD, RN]

What an interesting thread about where a passion for healing and service can take one! The older I get, the more I want to learn how to help my patients become healthier, not just medicated. And, I have a healthy respect for scientific research and credentials as I want to be responsible to my patients in my suggestions as well. I no longer work in an institutional practice, but have my own practice now using the additional learning and credentials I earned through the National Institute of Whole Health (Whole Health Training and Education - Accredited | Holistic Health Programs). They are credentialed by the Institute of Credentialing Excellence and offer 400 hours of training on specific topics relevant to today's health concerns. Their program has a long list of credentials and recognitions as well as a program exclusively for nurses. The program qualifies you to apply for an NPI number and a insurance billing manual and provides training for working with doctors or on your own. With all the experience I had from working as a nurse for years, it made sense to expand my professional options without sacrificing my years of experience as a nurse. I love being able to help people take more ownership of their health, integrating what I learned through the NIWH program and my years of experience as a nurse!

[Pghfoxfan1]

Been a nurse 35 years. I have always thought that touch was very very important. That is the reason I learned Reiki. I am now a Reiki Master. I also believe that essential oils have their place in medicine. I am only beginning to learn and understand their properties and healing abilities.

[ambersmiles]

Hi there, how did you get to where you are at? And what exactly do you do in practice? (as in how do you integrative this type of medicine).

I know this was posted a few years back, but I am apply for NP schools right now. I know I want to be involved with anti-aging/ integrative health. I want to be involved in actual healing and prevention. Do you have any tips on things I can start now? I listen to a lot of podcasts, like Bulletproof, etc. I've been paleo/keto for a while. I have my own food instagram, I am a HIIT coach and have a degree in Exercise Science. I would like to get a jump start so I can learn as much as I can and gain quick experience. I've been debating on programs. FNP, CNS or there's a newer DNP in Integrative Health. I'm thinking FNP is the way to go, with experience in different Integrative Health measures. Also, do you suggest any type of unit/job I should work in as an RN while attending DNP school? Or clinical experience as an NP? Thank you so much!