Overview of Online Holistic Nursing Certification Programs
Holistic nursing examines the interrelationship between environmental, cultural, and bio-psychosocial dimensions in humans, and how these aspects can be used to heal the whole person. Certification in holistic nursing is offered by the American Holistic Nurses Credentialing Corporation (AHNCC) at various levels, including the Holistic Nurse Board Certified (HN-BC), Holistic Nurse Baccalaureate Board Certified (HNB-BC), and the Advanced Holistic Nurse Board Certified (AHN-BC). Students can register and prepare for the certification exam online, but the Computer-Based Test (CBT) must be taken at a CBT site.
In order to qualify for a holistic nursing exam, students need to hold a valid registered nurse (RN) license and meet a combination of required education and experience in holistic nursing. This varies based on the certification level. Generally, the minimum requirements include 2,000 hours or 1 year of full-time work experience and at least 48 hours in holistic nursing theory and related topics. Students can meet some of these education and experience requirements through online certificate programs and/or program specializations.
Requirements for Online Holistic Nursing Certification
Certification in holistic nursing can help nurses advance their careers by demonstrating competence and commitment in the field. Although the certification exam must be taken in-person, certificate programs in the field can be completed fully online or in a hybrid format, with online coursework and in-person clinical experiences conducted locally.
General Requirements
There are several online graduate certificate programs in holistic nursing that can help students meet the education requirements for the board certification exam. These certificate programs may range from 9 to 12.5 credits. Some of these programs may require an onsite retreat and/or clinical experiences in the student's local area for hands-on training. Students in these certificate programs may take courses that discuss topics like psychoneuroimmunology, the role of nurses in holistic healing, methods of holistic-based research, and theories and models of holistic nursing. There are also some hybrid graduate programs that may include specialty courses or graduate certificates related to holistic nursing, such as a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) in Integrative Health and Healing.
Once students meet the eligibility requirements for AHNCC certification, they can apply for approval to schedule their exam. The organization provides year-round testing and once students are approved to take the test, they have a 3-month window to schedule and take the exam before the approval expires. Students who take the certification exam receive their results immediately.
Additional Requirements
Recertification from the AHNCC needs to take place every 5 years. Students must maintain their RN license, continue to be involved in holistic nursing, complete 100 hours of continuing education or professional development, and apply for recertification before their certification expires. The deadline for applying for recertification is 2 months (60) days before the certification's expiration date.
Career Outcomes with Certification in Holistic Nursing
Although it is not usually required, students trained and/or certified in holistic nursing may work as RNs or advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), like nurse practitioners. RNs may hold entry-level certification in holistic nursing, like the HN-BC or HNB-BC, while APRNs may hold advanced certification, like the AHN-BC or the APHN-BC (Advanced Practice Holistic Nurse Board Certified). According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), RNs may hold a diploma, associate's, or bachelor's degree in nursing, while APRNs typically need at least a master's degree.
As of 2019, the BLS reported that the median salary for RNs was $73,300 and the job outlook was 12% from 2018 to 2028. This job outlook is much faster than average. For nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners, the BLS reported a median salary of $115,800 as of 2019, and a job outlook from 2018 to 2028 of 26%, which is also much faster than average.
Holistic nursing explores the healing of the whole person and certification in the field can be prepared for and scheduled online. Certification lasts for 5 years and can be renewed with continuing education and an application for recertification.
