What is holistic nursing?

Holistic nursing is the study of nursing that treats the whole body, as opposed to treating only the symptoms of a disease. The holistic nurse takes into consideration the emotional state of the patient, as well as their relationships, family life and environment during the treatment, and uses complimentary therapies in addition to traditional medicine in the treatment process.

Holistic nursing schools teach a wide variety of skills, and the training, which is in addition to traditional nursing training, is very intensive. Because of the intense nature of the holistic nursing program, it is important to be sure that you are dedicated to the concept of holistic nursing before entering into the program. For those only hoping to add to their nursing degree, it is better to choose a different specialty. The best holistic nurses truly believe in the importance of what they are doing, and how they are helping their patients.

Where can I learn holistic nursing?

Holistic nursing has been used for many years in the treatment of the patient; it just did not have a proper name. Physicians traditionally diagnosed and treated patients with prescription medicine and traditional treatments, nurses have always approached the ill patient in a different way. Nurses typically ask the patient how they are feeling, notice any changes in the patient"s demeanor, and generally check for differences in the patient from day to day.

Nurses have always understood what physicians sometimes do not realize, that a patient often has problems unrelated to their illness that keep them from responding to treatment. A skilled nurse notices these problems and helps resolve them, which allows the patient to respond to treatment more effectively.

In 2006, the American Nurses Association officially recognized holistic nursing as a specialty in the field of nursing. Because nursing has always had the goal of healing the entire person, the recognition of holistic nursing as an important step forward for nurses.

A holistic nurse is first required to be a licensed nurse. Once licensed in the nursing field, she can begin working on her specialty. Holistic nursing training is aimed at teaching the nurse to approach the patient from the mind, the body, the spirit and the emotional level. While traditional medicine focuses only on the body, and occasionally on the mind, holistic nursing provides the whole patient with treatment, and with that, specialized treatment options.

The holistic nurse often receives advanced training in some of the alternative forms of treatment. These can include acupuncture, chiropractic adjustment and body work or energy healing. Touch is recognized as an important part of the healing process, and therapeutic touch and massage are popular training choices for many holistic nurses.
The certification process for holistic nursing involves four phases. For most nurses, the certification process will take approximately eighteen months to complete. The areas of study in holistic nursing are broad, and cover everything from nutrition to communication skills.

Where can I practice holistic nursing?

Nurses that specialize in holistic care often work in the field of women"s healthcare, but they are certainly not limited to that field. Holistic nursing is particularly well suited for working with the geriatric population, children and patients in a rehabilitation setting.

Because holistic nurses are licensed nurses, they are permitted to practice in any setting where a nurse works. Hospitals, doctors" offices and wellness centers all hire nurses to help treat patients. If you are a holistic nurse, it is important to choose a work setting that encourages and supports holistic nursing. For example, an overcrowded and understaffed Emergency Room is not likely to have the time or inclination to support a whole body approach to healing. An oncology unit, however, is likely to value and support the work of holistic nurses.

While it is possible to use the skills that you learn as a holistic nurse in any setting, and the training to become a holistic nurse may only benefit you in the end, it can be frustrating to invest in your career, and believe strongly in treating the whole patient, and not be permitted to practice your specialty. As a licensed nurse, it should be easy for you to find employment, and it is better to take the time to thoroughly research your employment options before committing to one. The right position with the right employer is important for a holistic nurse to be truly happy with their career.

What do I need to know before specializing in holistic nursing?

The most important aspect of holistic nursing is to learn what types of complimentary therapy are permitted in your state. Each state has different licensing requirements for different types of treatment. While some states may allow a registered nurse to perform acupuncture, another may not, while another can allow this form of healing, but only under the supervision of a medical doctor. Before investing time and money learning an alternative therapy, make sure that you are permitted to perform it in your state.