Become A Holistic Nurse
The approach to healthcare in a holistic manner has been developed on the belief that treating medical conditions of patients not only depends on the physical diagnosis, but also their psychological, emotional, social and spiritual factors that may affect their health. The traditional practice of nursing and patient care is intended to be implemented with a holistic approach. In the fast paced world of care delivery today, often the holistic approach to care is over looked. Since the inception of holistic nurses into the practice environments, much is now being done with this needed holistic view of the patient and the healing plan and environment. The AHNA (American Holistic Nurses Association) regards the role of a holistic nurse as providing nursing care to the whole patient with an emphasis on mind, body and spirit.
Holistic Nursing Practice
In the year 2006, the ANA (American Nurses Association) defined holistic nursing as a distinct specialty. The next year in 2007, the Holistic Nursing Scope and Standards of Practice was co-published by the AHNA and the American Nurses Association. The second edition of the Holistic Nursing Scope and Standards of Practice was recently co-published by the AHNA and the ANA is the year 2013. Both the publications provide guidelines for becoming a holistic nurse by:
· Defining holistic nursing and the scope of the nursing specialty.
· Explaining the settings of practice.
· Defining the educational requirements for practicing holistic nursing.
· Explaining the evolution of holistic nursing.
· Explaining the philosophy, focus and the concerns of holistic nursing.
· Exploring the pertaining issues and trends in holistic nursing.
· Defining The Standards of Competencies of Holistic Nursing Practice at the basic and advanced levels.
· Discussing the Core Values of Holistic Nursing.
· Holistic philosophy, ethics and theories.
· Processes involved in holistic caring.
· Holistic cultural diversity, therapeutic environment and communication.
· Education and research in holistic nursing.
· Self-caring practices for holistic nurses.
Holistic nurses receive education in both complimentary as well as conventional practices of healing. The approach to healthcare in a holistic manner has been developed on the belief that treating medical conditions of patient not only depends on the physical diagnosis, but also their psychological, emotional, social and spiritual factors that affect the health of the patient. The AHNA (American Holistic Nurses Association) regards the role of a holistic nurse is to heal the patient in a whole way (mind and body).
Some of the practicing holistic nurses include specific complementary and alternative modalities of healing in their routine practices. Holistic nurses may choose to practice a few healing modalities such as:
· Practicing body-based manipulation such as acupressure therapy, massage therapy, movement therapy and acupuncture therapy.
· Medicine for the mind as well as body such as hypnotherapy, arts therapy and meditational therapy.
· Practices based on biology such as nutritional counseling and herbal therapy.
· Medicine based on spiritual energy such as prayers, Reiki and healing touch.
Practicing holistic nurses have been working with all populations and in all areas of healthcare including intensive care units, emergency rooms, private clinics and outpatient surgery centers. Many aspiring nurses who wish to become holistic nurses also pursue wellness coaching, which involves management of issues such as weight, stress, health risks and other life issues with a holistic approach.
Become A Holistic Nurse
From entry-level RN (registered nurses) to advanced level NP (nurse practitioner), all are eligible to become a holistic nurse. To achieve certification in holistic nursing education and some practice experience are generally required. There are different organizations that offer a certification for nurses in holistic and integrative health care. There are many programs available to nurses to achieve education in holistic nursing. This includes continuing education programs, college level programs and certificate programs and masters of nursing degree programs with a specialty in holistic nursing practice.
The education programs generally provide the study of both traditional as well as advanced practice nursing core competencies which include health assessment, advanced pathophysiology and pharmacology along with other complementary modalities of healing. All of these courses are taught with a holistic approach and philosophy. Apart from the complimentary modalities of healing, these holistic studies offer additional knowledge of the core holistic nursing concepts such as self-care, intention, presence, holistic healing, holistic ethics, mind-spirit-body perspective and other essential subjects.
Certification For Holistic Nursing
The American Institute of Health Care Professionals, Inc. offers a comprehensive program of continuing education that leads to eligibility for Certification as a Holistic-Integrative Health Care Specialist. The program consists of self-paced online courses with faculty mentoring as needed. One must be a registered nurse with an active license. A degree is not required at this time. Once certification is achieved, it is conferred for a four year period of time. There is also a program for Recertification. Recertification is achieved by achieving contact hours of nursing education and by meeting a criteria for the practice of holistic nursing during the four year period of certification. If you would like to become a Holistic Nurse, then contact us today
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