Holistic medicine has become more popular in recent years. Registered nurses can incorporate holistic practices into their nursing skills by acquiring additional certification. Get details on the degree options and certification requirements for holistic nurses, as well as employment statistics in the nursing field.
What Is Holistic Nursing?
What does a holistic nurse do? Holistic nurses focus on the human being as a whole, including mental, physical, spiritual, social, emotional, and environmental aspects. They serve as facilitators in the healing process and help patients through their illnesses by treating the cause and not just the symptoms. They may integrate alternative methods of treating patients, drawing not only from western medicine but from eastern tradition as well, for example by using acupuncture or aromatherapy. They use holistic medicine not only as a curative measure but also as a preventative measure, working on the principle that a healthy body and mind overall can decrease one's chances of falling ill. Holistic nursing jobs can be found in a variety of settings, in particular private practices and clinics.
| Required Education | Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or Associate of Science in Nursing |
| Other Requirements | RN certification, National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN), and certification in holistic nursing |
| Projected Job Growth* (2019-2029) | 7% (for RNs) |
| Average Salary* (2019) | $37.65 per hour |
*Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
How to Become a Holistic Nurse
Education
Different degree programs can lead to becoming a holistic nurse. Obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is one path to take; most colleges and universities offer this four-year program. Community and junior colleges have Associate of Science in Nursing programs that take two to three years to complete. The least common option is to finish a three-year diploma program given by a hospital; however, not all hospitals offer this option. Some nursing programs use a holistic approach, but it's not standard practice.
All three paths can lead to entry-level nursing positions, but employers tend to favor candidates with a BSN. To advance further, nurses may also earn a master's degree in nursing. Some master's programs have concentrations in holistic nursing, and earning the degree can lead to higher-paying positions.
Testing
Holistic nurses, like all registered nurses, must apply to the Nursing Regulatory Body for licensure and then pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) before finding work. The NCLEX-RN is a computer-based exam that can be completed in up to five hours with an optional break two hours in. If you fail the assessment, you will be given a personalized report that can help you prepare for re-taking the exam, which you can do after at least 45 days of sitting it the first time around. Some states have other eligibility requirements as well.
Certification
After passing the NCLEX-RN, registered nurses can apply for certification in holistic nursing, which the American Holistic Nurses Certification Corporation administers for three different designations. Obtaining certification is not a legal requirement to become a holistic nurse, but can be beneficial for job hunters and help you to move upwards in your career. All applicants must be currently licensed as registered nurses and show proof of continuing education in holistic nursing. Applicants must then complete a qualitative assessment and quantitative exam to earn certification; recertification takes place every five years.
Other resources that prospective holistic nurses may want to look at include:
- The American Holistic Nurses Association (AHNA), an association providing support for working holistic nurses and endorsing various holistic nursing-related programs
- The Integrative Healing Arts Program (IHAP) in Holistic Nursing, a retreat for holistic nurses that focuses on refining nurses' skills and introducing them to new treatment methods
- The Canadian Holistic Nurses Association (CHNA), an association for holistic nurses working in Canada.
Where Do Holistic Nurses Work?
Holistic nurses may work in many environments, including physicians' offices, hospitals, clinics, or patients' homes. Hospitals and a handful of private clinics operate 24 hours a day, so holistic nurse jobs in this setting may involve working at night, in the early morning, or at the weekends. Working in patients' homes may lead nurses to work during evening hours and on weekends to accommodate patients' schedules. Holistic nurses working in physician's offices are likely to have a more regular daily schedule, as offices are typically open during regular business hours.
Additional career options for holistic nurses include working in government and social assistance agencies or in schools and universities. Holistic nurses may also work in palliative care facilities, using holistic medicine to provide end-of-life treatment to terminally ill patients. Professionals with specialized degrees can work as advanced practice nurses, including nurse anesthetists, midwives, and nurse practitioners.
Holistic Nurse Salary and Employment Outlook
As is detailed above, almost all holistic nurses are also registered nurses (RN); in order to gain certification as a holistic nurse, individuals must already have been certified as RNs. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that the median hourly salary earned by all registered nurses was $35.24 in May 2019. Payscale estimates that the median holistic nurse practitioner salary is slightly higher than this, at $37.65 per hour, although many factors play a role in determining the holistic nurse salary. Some considerations include the state where they're employed, the company size, and individual experience.
Although the BLS does not provide any specific information on job growth for holistic nurses, it reports that registered nurses' employment is set to grow by 7% between 2019 and 2029, which is a faster rate than average.
Holistic nurses are RNs who have received specialist education in holistic medicine, and may hold certification in holistic nursing, for example through the American Holistic Nurses Certification Corporation. They practice nursing much like any other RN, except that they incorporate practices to fulfill patients' mental and emotional health as well as their physical health. Demand for RNs is projected to grow at a faster rate than average by 2029, and adding certification in holistic nursing may improve applicants' desirability to employers.
