For the average person, the term “holistic” might conjure up images of softly lit rooms bedecked with crystals, the heavy scent of patchouli wafting against a background of soft flute sounds. But not holistic nurses. In fact, most any nurse—new or seasoned—simply considers holistic care to be the backbone of nursing.  Check out the medical definition of ‘holistic’: the treatment of the whole person, taking into account mental and social factors, rather than just the symptoms of a disease. In this sense, holistic care is the foundation of nursing.

Medical Mode

While the medical model might be caught up in diagnoses and targeted treatments, nursing has always taken into account the care of the whole person attached to those problems. Any nurse worth their salt knows that a patient’s entire wellbeing is dependent upon more than their physiological state; their emotional, mental, spiritual, and sociological health plays an indisputable role, too. Florence Nightingale herself was quite clear about the nurse’s role in a  patient’s path to healing: improve the patient’s health as a whole, and their innate ability to heal what ails them will bolstered as natural consequence. 

Close to 100 years ago, medicine began to shift. It became clear that healthcare had the potential to do much more than heal; it was booming business, with the capacity to generate an enormous cash flow. The now familiar battle cry—people over profits!—emerged in retaliation. But it was too late. Healthcare had permanently shifted to a money-making enterprise, with  every last conceivable intervention attached to a corresponding billing code. 

It was around this time that the American Holistic Nurses Association (AHNA) formed. 

For the past 4+ decades, the AHNA has promoted a return to patient-centered holistic care. They do this in several ways, the biggest being connecting like-minded nurses into a community of holistic providers who strive to educate both healthcare workers and the public about the benefits of the holistic care model. In the late 90s, a corporation was formed to certify nurses as holistic providers—the American Holistic Nurses Certification Corporation (AHNCC). Not only does the AHNCC specifically credential holistic nurses, but they also oversee a handful of university programs that focus on teaching holistic nursing practices as well.

Healing Patients in Full

In general, holistic nursing focuses on healing the entire patient. Take a patient recovering from a burn to the leg, for example. A holistic nurse would (of course) tend to the necessary wound care. But they would also facilitate a return of the patient’s mobility, assess their emotional response to the trauma of being burned, along with educate the patient’s support system about their ongoing needs, including nutritional support. In essence, a holistic nurse would see much more than a wound to care for. And their goal—to heal the entire patient—would naturally promote the patient’s own ability to heal their wound. 

For the past 20 years now, the American Nurses Association (ANA) has designated holistic nursing as a distinct sub-specialty. As such, it has its own specific scope and standards of practice. These contain many different kinds of alternative therapies, ranging from aromatherapy, to energy work, to relaxation and mindfulness techniques.  

With the fracturing of healthcare into more sub-specialities than ever under the current medical model, patients need holistic care more than ever! If you are interested in becoming a certified holistic nurse, there a few steps to follow to make the happen. Firstly, you’ll need a current RN status, with a degree from an accredited program. More and more, employers are requiring a BSN instead of an ADN, so that is something to consider if you are currently in nursing school.

Prior to specializing in holistic care, it’s prudent to put in some time working on your clinical skills. Although it is not required for certification, as a new nurse, it makes sense to acquire  hands-on patient care experience prior to specializing. (You may find that you are drawn in an entirely new direction, and that’s ok!) But for nurses committed to pursuing their holistic certification, gaining real world experience will help you to put the ideals of holistic care in perspective. 

You can also use this time to familiarize yourself with the following alternative therapies and practices, often utilized as a part of a holistic care plan:

• Massage therapy

• Aromatherapy

• Mindfulness coaching (using biofeedback, meditation, and guided imagery techniques to manage stress)

• ACE (trauma) education

• Nutrition guidance

• Eastern medicine/adjunct herbal medicine

• Acupressure and Acupuncture

After you’ve completed the steps above, certification as a holistic nurse is possible. To do this, you’ll want to get in touch with the American Holistic Nurses Credentialing Corporation to determine which of the various certifications you’d be best suited to pursue. At the same time, you can search potential job opportunities. Typically, holistic nurses gravitate to roles outside of the hospital setting. Wellness Centers, Medical Spas, Birthing Centers, and Triage Medicine are all examples of settings that employ holistic nurses. With your certification in hand, you’ll now be employable as a holistic nurse, with Ms. Nightingale herself smiling down upon you.