Serving as a registered nurse has always brought me immense satisfaction. Thus, my fascination for holistic nursing, to provide a broader spectrum of health care services to my patients, came naturally. Due to the extent of their professional role, holistic nurses are occasionally termed as complementary health nurses.

Taking inspiration from Florence Nightingale, who pioneered holistic nursing at the dawn of the century, I understand that optimal patient care transcends mere symptom or disease management.

Truly, knowing a patient’s personal circumstances provides crucial understanding of the medical condition, aiding in its treatment and prevention of recurrence. This approach is crucial as a patient’s lifestyle greatly influences their health condition.

As a holistic nurse, the concept of nurturing a patient’s emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being drives me. Consequently, I embarked on a holistic nurse certification journey to boost my professional competencies and formally validate my holistic nursing credentials, an expedition I’m thrilled to share.

Holistic Nursing Demystified

Holistic nursing focuses on addressing the varied health needs of a patient, acknowledging the interconnectedness of their body, mind, and spirit.

A holistic nurse’s duty is to deliver personalized health care and promote overall well-being. Here, patient care surpasses typical symptom management.

My Path to Holistic Nurse Certification

Having served as a registered nurse, acquiring the necessary experience, I then pursued my interest in becoming a holistic nurse. It’s important to note that a specific amount of work experience was required before applying for the holistic nurse role.

My intention for training as a holistic nurse was to incorporate an array of potent treatment strategies, including alternative medicine such as aromatherapy, to bolster patient care.

Distinct from a professional license, my holistic nurse certification officially endorses my professional competencies and qualifications to practice as a holistic nurse.

Particularly, I received my certification from the American Holistic Nurses Credentialing Corporation (AHNCC), the organization responsible for the certification process for registered nurses aspiring to become holistic nurses.

Advantages of My Holistic Nurse Certification

#1. Assurance of quality: My certification is a testament to my dedication to delivering superior healthcare services. Holistic nurses are trained to adhere to scientifically sound treatment principles and the latest patient care standards drawn from Western and Eastern medical practices.

#2. It broadens the patient care horizon, moving beyond treating specific illnesses or symptoms to promoting overall health and wellness.

#3. It signals my commitment to uphold high standards of professional conduct.

#4. My certification formally validates my capabilities to function as a holistic nurse.

#5. It lays the foundation for any future career advancements I may pursue.

#6. It connects me with a network of professionals in the holistic nursing field.

#7. My certification reinforces my professional credibility among patients, potential employers, and colleagues. For instance, the American Holistic Nurses Certification distinguishes me from other job seekers.

Treatment Techniques I Implement As A Holistic Nurse

Here are a few techniques that I’m trained to use as a holistic nurse to enhance patient care:

• Stress management
• Prescribing suitable breathing exercises
• Hypnotherapy
• Therapeutic massage
• Acupuncture
• Meditation
• Network spinal analysis
• Wellness Coaching
• Craniosacral therapy
• Hydrotherapy
• Reflexology
• Nutritional advice
• Herbal therapy
• Exercise programs
• Biofeedback

Requirements For Holistic Nurse Certification

To obtain my certification, I needed to complete a BSN or an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program. With my BSN or ADN in hand, I was equipped to take and pass my state’s NCLEX-RN exam to qualify as a registered nurse.

Armed with my nursing license, I applied for certification from the American Holistic Nurses Certification Corporation (AHNCC). However, a qualitative and quantitative test was required before applying for the certification.

Upon passing the exams, I obtained the following certifications from AHNCC to work as a holistic nurse:

• Advanced Practice for Holistic Nurse Board’s Certification (APHN-BC)
• Holistic Nurse for the Baccalaureate Board’s Certification (HNB-BC)
• Standard Holistic for Nurse Certification (HN-BC)

Continued Education And Professional Practice

With the medical industry, including the holistic nursing field, constantly advancing, my ambition is to continually update my skills and knowledge.

To renew my professional license, I am required to complete a specific number of CEU working hours. Regularly checking with the state board for renewal prerequisites is essential as these conditions constantly change.

Essential Skills For Holistic Nursing

In my journey to become a holistic nurse, I found the following skills vital:

• Empathy for a better understanding of patient needs
• Listening and communication skills
• Integrity and a sense of responsibility for my actions
• Mindfulness
• Problem-solving abilities, and
• Attention to detail

If you’re looking to gear up for your holistic nurse certification, you can consider online training at the Nurse Coach Collective, a platform created by nurses for nurses. They provide professional continuing education for nurses to help you earn your Holistic Nursing Certification.

With their assistance, you can soon qualify to practice as a proficient certified holistic nurse. Apply today!