Holistic health care centers are becoming an increasingly viable choice for consumers interested in moving beyond the traditional medical system. In holistic health care, there is a much stronger emphasis on the relationship between the body and mind, as well as between the health care provider and the patient.
It is a specialty practice that looks at interconnectedness (between the body, mind, emotion, spirit, social backdrop, cultural norms, relationships, and the environment) as a way to improve ourselves as human beings. This is often done by looking at alternative medicine techniques or even TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine), which might not have a place in the standard hospital setting.
For many nurses and nursing students, there is a strong appeal to working in holistic health care. Not only is it a way to fuse personal beliefs and professional goals, but there is a much stronger emotional connection with patients and their families.
What Does a Holistic Nurse Do?
A holistic nurse typically blends his or her formal nursing education with alternative modalities in order to assist a physician in providing care. Instead of focusing just on modern technology or just alternative medicine, the holistic nurse strikes the right balance of both.
In fact, balance is really what holistic medicine is all about. A holistic nurse might provide long-term care to a patient in a residential facility, but instead of focusing solely on medication, he or she might provide therapeutic bodywork or energy-based healing methods. Other tools of the trade include aromatherapy, magnetic healing, stress management, massage, and acupuncture. Some holistic nurses might also endorse herbal remedies for pain management, but this practice almost always occurs under the direction of a holistic physician or licensed TCM practitioner.
Holistic nurses are also often called upon to help balance regular medical care and alternative therapies in all types of settings, including:
- Hospitals
- Universities
- Private Practices
- Independent Consulting
- Hospice Care
Holistic Nursing Certification
The American Holistic Nurses Association (AHNA) is the overseeing body for most holistic nurses in the United States. It currently has more than 5,000 members, all of whom adhere to a standard of ethics and philosophy related to the field. Although certification through the AHNA isn’t required in order to become a holistic nurse, many professionals find that there is greater room for advancement and networking as part of the group.
For more information about the AHNA and holistic nursing, you can visit them on the web at http://www.ahna.org/.
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