What is a Holistic Nurse?

Key Takeaways:

Holistic Approach: Holistic nurses consider the patient’s mind, body, and emotional health to impact overall well-being.
History and Recognition: The American Nurses Association recognized holistic nursing as a specialty in 2006, originating from Florence Nightingale’s work.
Education and Certification: Holistic nurses must pass the NCLEX-RN and complete specific training to be certified in holistic practices every five years.
Career Opportunities: Holistic nurses work in various settings, such as birthing centers and hospitals, and they can earn potentially higher salaries than standard RNs.

A holistic nurse might also be called a complementary health nurse. Holistic nursing has become a highly sought-after field that is always looking for good nurses. Holistic nurses can become involved in associations like the American Holistic Nurses Association to learn about how to connect with other nurses in their field.

A holistic nurse is involved in a section of health care that takes into account the person’s entire life, mind and body. They believe in traditional medicine, but they also believe that the patient’s mind, body and emotional health have an impact on the well-being of the patient.

History of Holistic Nursing

The holistic nursing that exists today has its roots in the work done by Florence Nightingale. Nursing didn’t exist as a profession until the middle of the 20th century. Holistic healing, which focuses on the entire person as a whole, has been around since the 1970s. The AHNA mentioned previously has been working with the Holistic Nurses Certification Corporation to bring about certification opportunities for holistic nurses. The American Nurses Association recognized holistic nursing as a valid specialty in 2006.

Education for Holistic Nurses

All registered nurses have to go through a standard core education process. They must be able to pass the National Council Licensure Examination or NCLEX-RN before they can land a job as a nurse in any specialty. Once a nurse has achieved the schooling required to pass the NCLEX-RN, he or she can practice holistic nursing in on-the-job training environments where they gain experience. The basic certification for holistic nurses involves being actively practicing in a holistic capacity for one year on a full-time basis. Each holistic nurse has to be recertified every five years.

Job Duties They Perform

A holistic nurse doesn’t deny the ability of traditional medicine to cure illnesses or sicknesses but uses traditional medicine in conjunction with holistic treatments for curing ailments and keeping the body free of issues.

Physical and emotional health work together and are promoted within the holistic nursing field. Holistic nurses will perform massage for relaxation, acupuncture, hypnosis, and aromatherapy. They focus on Eastern healing practices too. They will coach their patients in wellness therapy and stress management, which is often what leads to sicknesses and pain.

Where Can They Work and Median Salary?

Holistic nurses can work in many facilities and centers focused on an overall approach to wellness. It’s popular in birthing centers where pregnant women want to achieve a more natural birth experience. Home healthcare facilities, clinics, and hospitals are all moving towards a holistic approach to medicine.

Depending on the level of education, some holistic nurses can work as midwives, nurse anesthetists, or nurse practitioners. They’ll need advanced degrees though. Registered nurses can earn approximately $67,000 per year while specialty nurses like those focused on holistic treatments can earn more.

Related Resource: How Do You Become a Health Policy Nurse?

A student who wants to focus on becoming a holistic nurse will decide where they want to work and learn what kind of advanced education they’ll need. Holistic nurses are becoming an incredibly popular position in major cities and the salary reflects that popularity.